Mr Robert Chong, Chief of Corporate & Human Resource (CHRO), Sembcorp Industries
Mr Tan Kok Yam, Chief Executive of SkillsFuture Singapore
Mr Koh Chiap Khiong, Chief Executive Officer, Singapore & Southeast Asia, Sembcorp Industries
Friends, distinguished guests, partners, and colleagues.
1. A very good morning. Today marks an exciting milestone as we welcome Sembcorp Solar onboard as a SkillsFuture Queen Bee. Sembcorp’s appointment will enhance industry partnerships and encourage further workforce upskilling within the energy and power sector.
2. According to the Energy Market Authority (EMA)’s Energy Sector Manpower Survey last year, Singapore’s clean energy workforce is projected to increase by 80% by 2032, as Singapore’s energy transition gains momentum.
3. Given this rapidly evolving energy landscape, collaboration is key to sustainability. The SkillsFuture Queen Bee Programme signifies a commitment to foster strong and robust industry partnerships. As shared by Sembcorp Chief of Corporate & Human Resource (CHRO), Mr Robert Chong, we will see stronger partnership between energy companies such as Sembcorp Solar, government agencies such as SkillsFuture Singapore (SSG), and educational institutes such as Singapore Polytechnic and ITE.
4. This initiative also ensures that there is a robust ecosystem that will drive innovation and growth in Singapore's solar sector. Under the SkillsFuture Queen Bee initiative, Sembcorp Solar will be leading the charge in providing upskilling and mentoring opportunities to external companies such as our Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) here in Singapore.
5. This aligns perfectly with our national efforts to enhance our workforce capabilities, such as through SSG programmes, namely the SkillsFuture Work-Study Programmes, combining on-the-job training with classroom training, and our SkillsFuture Career Transition Programmes, supporting mid-career transitions into the renewable energy sector. Other than that, we have sector-specific training efforts, including Workforce Skills Qualifications on how to ‘Design and Develop Solar Energy Storage Systems’, and other specialised courses in solar technology and green energy management, such as Singapore Polytechnic’s course on Solar Photovoltaic (PV) System Know-How, just to name a few.
6. Across the whole of government, other strides are also being made to improve the adoption of sustainable energy practices such as the Ministry of Transport’s move to cease approval process for solar panel installations near Singapore’s airports, as part of efforts by the Singapore government to ease regulatory burden on businesses and encourage uptake of the technology. SSG’s Skills Demand for the Future Economy Report 2023/24 edition also highlights the rapid development in the solar energy space, such as the development of solar energy systems and floating solar farms, as Singapore transits to cleaner energy solutions.
7. It is quite opportune that we are gathered here in Toa Payoh, and many of us seated here will be well aware that Toa Payoh is one of the first post-independence HDB development projects in Singapore. Soon after that, we hosted the first South East Asian Peninsular Games (SEAP Games) here, which was the predecessor of the SEA games. This is an example of how Singapore has continued to transform and transition to be relevant with the times. From simple manufacturing, we have moved on to professional services, innovation and research.
8. Just last year, I visited the Tengeh solar farm in Tuas. It is a very impressive set up. The farm has now become a key feature for many of the visits from the region, from industry leaders and government officials. It shows the interest and emphasis on energy transition, and how Singapore has innovated and made good in leading and trailblazing key initiatives.
9. This particular SkillsFuture industry partnership with our Queen Bee, Sembcorp, is an important part of how we determine the future of Singapore. The efforts that we put in today is key because all these efforts will enable us to maintain our capabilities, living standards, and relevance.
10. I am very heartened that we have met with our partners here today, and with the leadership of Sembcorp, that is how we can build our apex and broaden our base of capabilities. We will not be able to do much by ourselves, but collectively, we can achieve so much more. That is the only way we are able to go to the region, go overseas, to be competitive and deliver what is needed and be relevant to the world.
11. In closing, I would like to thank everyone that is gathered here today. I hope that the rest of the industries will take this as an example to start the conversation on how we can build our future for Singapore and for our families.
12. Thank you very much.