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With 23 Industry Transformation Maps (ITMs) in the pipeline, Singapore's Ministry of Manpower (MOM) has unveiled the HR Industry Manpower Plan (HRIMP).
Announced by the nation's second Minister for Manpower, Josephine Teo, the plan seeks to support the approximately 43,000 HR professionals in Singapore through three thrusts:
- Strengthen the HR profession
- Enhance the HR support for employers
- Nurture a vibrant HR services sector and HR ecosystem
At the event held at Marina Bay Sands, attended by Human Resources, Minister Teo shared there's roughly one HR professional for every 80 people in the nation's workforce; and about 2,300 HR services firms, before launching the plan proper.
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Thrust 1: Strengthen the HR profession
- IHRP certification - The first national certification regime has just concluded a successful pilot run with 88 HR professionals certified.
- Effective today, HR practitioners, including CHROs, can register for the first two levels to be a Certified or Senior Professional.
- Over the next five years, the Ministry hopes to increase the pool of certified HR professionals to 5,000.
- Industry-relevant PET and CET - Existing programmes to develop HR professionals will continue, such as SkillsFuture Earn & Learn, SkillsFuture Study Awards, Professional Conversion Programmes (PCPs), and HR Leaders Programme.
Thrust 2: Enhance HR support for employers
- Pool of Volunteer HR Directors to expand - A new, pilot programme where SMEs looking to scale their HR capabilities can tap on for advice. Currently, about 20 SMEs have tried it and SPRING is looking to expand it.
- SPRING's HR diagnostic tool to help identify gaps in HR practices
- SkillsFuture's SME Mentor to help businesses with coaching
- Self-help HR resource portal - Developed by SPRING Singapore, in collaboration with NTUC Learning Hub and the Chartered Institute of Personnel Development. The full version will be available later this year.
Thrust 3: Nurture a vibrant HR services sector
Noting that many HR teams are lean, Minister Teo said that Singapore needs competent HR service providers.
- SPRING's HR Shared Services pilot has identified more than 20 HR services providers to help SMEs improve operational efficiency.
- Citing the example of local HR tech startup EngageRocket, Minister Teo cited the role of technology in changing the way HR services are being delivered.
The HRIMP has been developed by a Sectoral Tripartite Committee, which consulted with more than 700 HR professionals and business leaders.
With Singapore hosting more regional headquarters, with regards to how the plan will equip HR professionals with the skills needed to manage regional HR, Minister Teo told Human Resources:
"Ultimately, whether companies are looking to expand locally or abroad, they need to have the right people resources in place.
"The whole purpose of the HR Industry Manpower Plan is to help them to think a bit more and to be able to access the help they need to strengthen their HR capabilities. If they are able to do so, I think it will help make their international expansion plans smoother."
- With inputs from Jerene Ang
Photos / Journalist's own
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