CONSTRUCTION INDUSTRY (Employment prospects)

Encik Othman bin Haron Eusofe asked the Minister for National Development, in view of the construction slowdown, what are the employment prospects in the construction industry.

Mr Teh Cheang Wan: Mr Speaker, Sir, despite the construction slowdown, foreign workers still form 60% of our construction workforce. Many applications are still being received from the contractors to employ foreign workers. Graduates of the Construction Industry Training Centre (CITC) also have no difficulty in finding employment.

Indeed, there are many jobs for Singaporeans to work in the construction industry. The problem is that many Singaporeans have a poor image of construction work. They view the job as dirty, uncomfortable and dangerous, despite the better pay compared to, say, manufacturing. This image of construction work has to change, as not all construction jobs are uncomfortable. Pipe-fitting, electrical wiring and finishing trades are usually conducted under shelter. Structural works, which are carried out under the sun, are often compensated in terms of higher pay. Worksite safety has also improved, with more stringent safety standards imposed by the Ministry of Labour and the safety orientation courses conducted for construction workers.

To facilitate more Singaporeans to join the industry, the Construction Industry Development Board (CIDB) has implemented a job placement service to place Singaporeans with leading contractors. For those who need re-training, the CITC has also introduced a two-month intensive full-time programme to impart basic construction skills to the worker. It is my hope that in these lean times, more Singaporeans will come forward to join the industry.