Whole-of-Government Guiding Principles to Manage Workforce Transitions Due to Organisational Transformation and AI Adoption

Assoc Prof Kenneth Goh asked the Prime Minister and Minister for Finance whether the Public Service Division has established whole-of-Government principles to guide agencies in managing workforce transitions arising from organisational transformation and AI adoption, including how agencies should balance retraining, redeployment, workforce restructuring, the preservation of institutional knowledge and operational resilience.

Mr Chan Chun Sing (for the Prime Minister): The Public Service continually reviews our organisations, functions, operating models and workforce requirements so that we can meet changing needs and priorities of Singapore and Singaporeans well. Most transformation efforts and workforce changes are made progressively, through reskilling, job redesign, redeployment and natural attrition. More significant restructuring is undertaken only where necessary, in response to fundamental changes in an agency's operating environment, mission or operating model.

In all organisational transformation and workforce transition efforts, the principle is to support affected officers through the changes with care and practical assistance. As a fair and responsible employer, agencies will prioritise reskilling and redeploying affected officers, whether within their agency or elsewhere in the Public Service. Where redeployment is not feasible, we are committed to providing transition support to the affected officers, such as financial support and employment facilitation assistance. This approach ensures that capabilities, institutional knowledge and operational resilience are maintained even as we strive to meet future needs.

The Public Service's purpose is to serve Singapore and Singaporeans. To do this well, agencies must continue to transform and ensure that the Public Service workforce remains effective, responsive and ready for the future, while supporting public officers through change.