SINGAPORE — The construction sector has been slower than other industries to adopt new technologies, but as it is gradually embracing the latest advancements, it will require workers to upskill or be retrained.

To support the training of construction professionals, the Government has committed about S$72 million in funding until May 2020, National Development Minister Lawrence Wong said on Tuesday (Jan 22).

Speaking at the iBuildSG Scholarship and Sponsorship Ceremony at the National University of Singapore's University Cultural Centre, Mr Wong noted that Singapore needs built-environment professionals with relevant skills to support the sector, and that there are good jobs in the industry for residents here.

The money will go towards expanding existing programmes that help fund Singaporeans who are seeking to deepen their skills in the built-environment space.

First, a programme that provides funding support to those studying built-environment courses will be expanded. Some post-graduate options of the iBuildSG Scholarships and Sponsorships, which is now open only to polytechnic and Institute of Technical Education (ITE) graduates, will be extended to university graduates, too.

Those who are under this sponsorship receive a S$3,000 training grant to attend post-graduate courses and a retention incentive of S$7,000 one year after the completion of their bond.

Jason Li, 28, a senior project engineer pursuing a Master of Science in Civil Engineering at NUS on an iBuildSG Postgraduate Sponsorship, welcomed the news, saying the industry needs more professionals with local experience.

“I think it is good that we are investing in local talent to develop them further, because often, especially for ground development, it can be very area-specific and it is not something that you can necessarily outsource (to a foreign professional) even though the principles (of construction and engineering) may be similar,” he said.

Second, the Building Specialist Sponsorship Programme, which supports the training of technical personnel, will see an extension of the sponsorship period from two to three years.

This programme aims to attract and retain Singaporeans in jobs at the specialist, supervisor and foreman levels by funding their studies, and the extended sponsorship period will allow them to attend longer courses such as part-time Nitec, Higher Nitec and Post-ITE development courses, Mr Wong said.

A new iBuildSG Tripartite Committee will also be formed to look at ways to attract, develop and retain Singaporeans in the built-environment space, he added.

This committee will comprise members from institutes of higher learning, trade associations and chambers, unions and other key organisations related to the construction sector. It will work with institutes of higher learning to keep curriculums relevant to industry trends and create opportunities for students to take up structured internships.

This will ensure that the “training provided by institutions is relevant and companies can also benefit in the process”, Mr Wong said.

A total of 448 scholarships and sponsorships were awarded by the Building and Construction Authority and partner firms at the ceremony on Tuesday.