Professionalising Skilled Trades

Mr Gerald Giam Yean Song asked the Minister for Manpower (a) how the Ministry defines the professionalisation of skilled trades in providing multiple pathways to success; (b) what measures will ensure their viability as alternatives to university education; (c) what measurable wage growth targets will be set to track the success of this initiative; and (d) whether there are plans to enforce regulations requiring the engagement of licensed tradespersons.

Professionalising skilled trades refers to transforming these occupations to adopt the recognised attributes of a profession, including structured career pathways, formal training and certifications. This would improve recognition for these trades and support individuals pursuing these careers.

The Ministry of Manpower is working closely with relevant stakeholders, such as skilled trades associations, to develop new initiatives that address the needs of each skilled trade. These include developing structured career and learning pathways and apprenticeship programmes to help tradespeople deepen their skills and progress along clear progression pathways and encouraging a fair reward to tradespeople who have deepened their skills to provide high quality services. More information on these new initiatives will be announced later. We will also work with these stakeholders on the outcomes and targets for these initiatives.

We are not setting wage growth targets for the professionalisation of trades for now. We will monitor wages closely to ensure they rise in line with the quality of services delivered, and will calibrate our initiatives, if necessary, in view of potential impact to business and consumer costs.

At present, there are regulations in place that require the engagement of licensed tradespersons for specific tasks, such as for electrical works and complex plumbing works. The relevant sector agencies will enforce these regulations accordingly.