SKILLED WORKERS IN CONSTRUCTION INDUSTRY

Dr Teo Ho Pin asked the Minister for National Development (a) how many construction workers (both local and foreign) were trained, tested and certified as skilled workers by the Construction Industry Training Institute in 1996, 1997 and 1998; (b) whether there are any incentives or schemes provided by his Ministry to attract Singaporeans to join the construction workforce; and (c) whether his Ministry will consider providing both monetary and non-monetary incentives for local construction firms to employ skilled Singaporean construction workers.

Mr Lim Hng Kiang: (i) Number of construction workers (both local and foreign) trained, tested and certified as skilled by CITI

The number of construction workers (both local and foreign) trained has gone up from about 4,300 in FY96 to about 8,900 in FY97. The figure for the first quarter of this FY is 3,330. Similarly, the number of workers tested and workers certified has also gone up significantly. In FY96, about 22,000 workers were tested and out of which, about 11,000 were certified as skilled workers. In FY97, the number of workers tested and workers certified are about 28,000 and 17,000 respectively. The figures for the first quarter of this FY are 18,385 for workers tested and 10,385 for workers certified.

(ii) Incentives/schemes to attract Singaporeans to join the construction workforce

The foreign worker levy makes the employment of Singaporeans more competitive while the dependency ceiling requires employers to engage Singaporeans before they can employ foreigners.

There are currently also incentives for Singaporeans to receive training in construction trades. Singaporeans pay lower test fees at CITI for most of the main trades. They also enjoy further SDF subsidies of between 50% and 80% on the fees of some courses. Some of the courses offered by CITI are also recognised under the Skills Redevelopment Programme set up by the NTUC and MOM to aid the training of local workers.

The Construction Brigade Scheme was also put in place to help to build up a pool of local construction workers.

(iii) Monetary and non-monetary incentives for local construction firms to employ skilled Singaporean construction workers

This is being considered and will be looked into by the MOM-MND Construction 21 Committee formed to review the construction industry. Any ideas or suggestions from Dr Teo will be welcomed and looked into by the Committee.