Government Supports Progressive Wage Model (PWM) for Lift Industry

The Government accepted the recommendations of the Lift and Escalator Sectoral Tripartite Committee (L&E STC) today. The L&E STC comprises representatives from government agencies, unions, buyers, and lift firms. It was set up in 2017 to explore ways to attract, upskill and retain the workforce, and raise productivity in the lift industry.

Minister of State for National Development and Manpower Mr Zaqy Mohamad said, “The Committee’s recommendations are the result of a collective effort by the Government, unions and industry players. The recommendations provide a useful roadmap for us to attract, develop and retain locals in the lift industry so that our lift workforce is better-equipped to tackle future challenges in lift maintenance. If we do this well, it will translate into safer and more reliable lifts for all of us. The Government looks forward to working closely with all stakeholders to implement these recommendations. For a start, Government will take the lead in supporting the Progressive Wage Model for the lift industry. I hope all our stakeholders will continue to sustain this tripartite effort to improve the sector.”

Attracting and Retaining the Workforce

The Progressive Wage Model (PWM) is a key recommendation by the L&E STC. The Government accepts this recommendation and will work towards mandating PWM adoption as a registration requirement for lift maintenance firms. Implementation will be phased over three years to give the industry sufficient time to adjust. In the interim, the Government will take the lead to drive adoption through public sector procurement.

The PWM seeks to uplift workers’ wages based on skills upgrading, enhanced job roles and productivity improvements. While it had been implemented primarily in sectors with higher concentrations of low-wage workers, it is equally useful in other sectors where clearer progression pathways will help to attract and retain workers. The L&E sector is one such sector that shows the way for other sectors facing manpower shortages.

Upskilling the workforce through competencies based courses and certification

BCA is also working closely with ITE to develop training courses, assessments and certificates aligned with the career progression pathways and structured competency framework recommended by the L&E STC. A Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) was signed between the Building and Construction Authority (BCA) and ITE to signal this collaboration. Through this collaboration, the courses and assessments will facilitate multiple entry points into the industry, and allow existing workers to upgrade through the PWM levels.

In addition, lift firms that wish to provide internal training programmes and/or testing for their own employees may apply to be accredited as an Approved Training Centre (ATC) by ITE. Firms can also tap on funding support from Workforce Singapore (WSG) to develop Professional Conversion Programmes (PCP) to employ and train mid-career switchers to the lift industry. The comprehensive training and certification framework provides more opportunities for continuous education and training with competency-based courses and certification at various levels of the PWM.

Separately, BCA and the Singapore Lift and Escalator Contractors and Manufacturers Association (SLECMA) are looking into requiring all personnel working independently on lift maintenance to attain Specialist level competencies under the PWM. This will help to raise lift safety standards.

Rebranding, improving work environment and raising productivity

BCA has also set up a working committee involving relevant industry stakeholders to develop technical solutions to improve the work environment and raise productivity. At the same time, BCA will continue its rebranding campaign to raise awareness, enhance public perception and highlight good career opportunities in the lift industry.