New initiatives to boost quantity surveying profession, strengthen qualified persons' regulatory competencies
These measures may improve cost management, regulatory submission quality and workforce capacity, potentially supporting more efficient delivery across Singapore’s expanding construction pipeline.
Singapore unveiled initiatives on Sept 4 to attract and retain quantity surveyors, expand professional accreditation, adopt AI and strengthen qualified persons’ regulatory competencies.
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The government has unveiled new initiatives to strengthen Singapore’s built environment, including recommendations to improve the quantity surveying industry and lift professional standards for qualified persons (QPs).
The initiatives were announced by Second Minister for Finance and National Development Indranee Rajah at the International Built Environment Week 2026 Industry & Awards Dinner on Sept 4.
During the event, the Building and Construction Authority (BCA) also conferred awards recognising outstanding achievements in Singapore's built environment.
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Push for more quantity surveyor talent, professional accreditation
Recommendations to strengthen the quantity surveying industry follow a six-month engagement period conducted by the Quantity Surveyors Workgroup with over 80 industry stakeholders.
The workgroup has recommended initiatives structured around three priorities: attracting talent, developing and retaining professionals, and enhancing the business sustainability of quantity surveying firms.
To attract talent, recommendations include introducing new quantity surveying content in the curriculum at institutes of higher learning, as part of a move to raise students’ awareness of the profession. Quantity surveying firms will also be onboarded onto Inspire, the government’s internship programme for students in built environment courses.
To develop and retain quantity surveying professionals, the workgroup has recommended the wider use of professional accreditation, such as the Accredited Professional Quantity Surveyor scheme. In addition, the roles and responsibilities of quantity surveyors are proposed to be formally recognised in standard construction contracts, along with the adoption of competency-based remuneration to support career progression.
To support the business sustainability of quantity surveying firms, the workgroup recommends leveraging technology and AI to streamline workflows and processes. It also proposes the development of a framework to define the various quantity surveying services delivered at each project stage, which could help foster a more transparent and equitable procurement environment.
Strengthening regulatory competency for QPs
The government is also rolling out initiatives aimed at helping QPs — professionals licensed to prepare, submit and endorse building and structural plans for construction projects — continually upgrade their capabilities.
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According to BCA, the Board of Architects and the Professional Engineers Board, together with regulatory agencies, are exploring “a more systematic approach to support QPs in keeping pace with evolving regulatory requirements”. This could include closer monitoring of the quality of QP submissions to regulatory agencies, as well as efforts to develop QPs’ competencies through relevant programmes.
Tembusu Grand, Arup, DP Architects among BCA award winners
Achievements in the BE sector were also celebrated at the event, with BCA presenting five projects and two companies with the PoY and CoY awards, respectively.
The PoY award honours projects that demonstrate a strong commitment to advancing Singapore’s BE industry. This year, Tembusu Grand won for the residential category, while the Pasir Ris 8-Pasir Ris Mall integrated development won in the mixed-use category.
Other project winners include Bulim Square for the industrial category, Outram Secondary School (Sengkang Campus) for the institutional category, and Subsea Water Pipeline Tunnel Connecting Tuas and Jurong Island – Contract 1 for the infrastructure category.
For the CoY awards, global consultancy firm Arup and construction company Woh Hup emerged as winners for the large firms category, while DP Architects won for small firms.
BCA also presented the Quality Excellence Award, which recognises developers and builders for their commitment to delivering high-quality private residential buildings and implementing world-class industry standards.
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City Developments won for the developer category, while China Construction (South Pacific) Development Co and Woh Hup were winners in the builder category.