22/09/2017

Official Launch Of Skills Framework For Logistics To Catalyse Transformation Of Logistics Sector

The Skills Framework for Logistics was officially launched at the grand opening of Supply Chain City this morning, as part of the government’s push to accelerate transformation across the logistics sector. The Skills Framework echoes Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong’s speech at the event, where he outlined the importance of productivity and innovation, alongside manpower efforts and enterprise-focused strategies, in catalysing the overall growth of the industry. PM Lee also discussed the support extended to companies to catalyse growth beyond Singapore.

The announcement comes on the back of the Logistics Industry Transformation Map (ITM) which was launched on 16 November 2016, and are results of collective efforts across agencies such as International Enterprise Singapore (IE Singapore), Singapore Economic Development Board (EDB), SkillsFuture Singapore (SSG), SPRING Singapore (SPRING) and Workforce Singapore (WSG). Through these initiatives, the agencies hope to accelerate the ITM’s vision of growing the industry’s value-add to S$8.3 billion and introducing 2,000 new PMET jobs by 2020.

Developing strong pool of local talent to support growth of industry

Singapore has been focusing on developing requisite skills and competencies of Singaporeans, to prime the workforce for the wide spectrum of job roles and career progression pathways offered by the logistics industry. With the adoption of advanced technologies, rank-and-file jobs are becoming less laborious and more skilled, while new professional roles will also be created. The government is strengthening efforts to build the necessary talent capabilities to support these shifts.

The Skills Framework for Logistics identifies job roles, career pathways, and existing and emerging skills required for the logistics sector. Workforce programmes under WSG’s Adapt and Grow initiative, such as the Professional Conversion Programmes (PCP) as well as the PCP Attach and Train (AnT), also support the transformation of the logistics sector.

Professional Conversion Programmes (PCP) and PCP Attach and Train (AnT)

75 local PMETs have been successfully placed through the PCPs for Logistics Officer and Logistics Executive since their launch in June 2016. WSG will increase 200 training places for PCPs for Logistics Officer and Logistics Executive and 40 training places for PCP AnT in the next 2 years.

Enterprise-level transformation through productivity and innovation

Also high on the priority for Singapore, is the transformation of enterprises through technology adoption, automation and innovation, and partnerships with government agencies as well as other industry players. This, to help companies uplift operations excellence, develop differentiating capabilities to remain competitive and relevant, and prepare for internationalisation.

SPRING Singapore assists enterprises in various capability development areas, one of which is technology adoption and development. This is achieved by putting in place assistance programmes and working with a network of technology partners to enhance the sources of help available for enterprises. Companies looking to automate their processes and leverage technology can tap on SPRING’s Capability Development Grant (CDG), or scale up through the Automation Support Package (ASP). Through these programmes, companies in the logistics sector, for example, could deploy innovative technologies to automate processes, such as warehouse technology, automated guided vehicles (AGVs), inventory drones and integrated supply chain solutions, enabling them to adopt a manpower-lean business model and create more value-added jobs.

In August, SPRING supported the setup of the Supply Chain & Logistics Innovation Playground (SCLIP) to incubate startups offering technology solutions for the logistics industry. Startups can also tap on business advisory and market access opportunities at SCLIP. The playground concept encourages “play-and-learn”, fosters industry collaboration and serves as a platform for enterprises, institutes of higher learning and industry players to network and learn about logistics innovation and market trends.

Catalysing growth with specialisation and internationalisation

Companies can also leverage global trends such as the rise of Asia and emerging business and manufacturing developments for further growth. The South-east Asia (SEA) market in particular presents bright spots for our logistics players. With investment pouring into infrastructure, rising concerns on food standards and quality and fast growing adoption of e-commerce in SEA, there is increased need for logistics companies to build specialisation, such as project cargo logistics, cold chain logistics and e-commerce fulfilment.

To support logistics companies to build manpower capabilities in specialised logistics and help professionals be equipped with market-ready skills, IE Singapore and WSG have developed a PCP-SEA Ready Talent for Logistics Sector in consultation with industry partners. This PCP will be extended to logistics companies that are ready to tap onto the growing regional demand, and enable Singaporeans to receive on-the- job training and gain exposure to regional logistics projects. To date, about 15 logistics companies have signed up for the programme, with more indicating interest.

Conclusion

This Media Guide serves to provide details of the Skills Framework for Logistics, as well as the expansion in capacity and additional placements for the PCPs and PCP AnT for Logistics Officer and Logistics Executive as well as the PCP-SEA Ready Talent for Logistics Sector. It also includes the profiles of the proposed interviewees for the Skills Framework for Logistics and PCP for Logistics Executive.

Annex A - Fact Sheet on Skills Framework for Logistics

Annex B - Fact Sheets on Professional Conversion Programmes

Annex C - Fact Sheet on PCP Attach and Train Programmes

Annex D - Interviewee Profiles for Skills Framework for Logistics

Annex E - Media Release on Logistics Industry Transformation Map