Build strong core of Singapore talent, Tharman urges companies

By Amelia Tan, The Straits Times, 20 Sep 2012

COMPANIES were urged yesterday to build a strong core of Singapore talent in their workplaces.

This is even as Singapore remains open to global talent from around the world, said Deputy Prime Minister Tharman Shanmugaratnam yesterday.

He said an effective human capital strategy was "not merely about remaining open to talent wherever it comes from".

"It has to be first and foremost about proactive development of the citizens who are at the core of our workforce," he added.

"Every firm must give thought to this, and work out ways to give Singaporeans opportunities and exposure to nurture their skills, build up experience locally, regionally and globally, and take on larger responsibilities."

The minister was speaking to about 700 business leaders and senior human resource practitioners from 24 countries who were attending the Singapore Human Capital Summit at Resorts World Sentosa.

He said they had a critical role to play in building a strong pipeline of leaders and specialised talent among Singaporeans.

Singapore will support bosses and human resource practitioners who put in effort to stretch their workers to their potential, he said.

Mr Tharman announced that the Singapore Workforce Development Agency (WDA) will launch 28 more programmes for human resource practitioners to upgrade their skills next year.

This will bring the total number of such programmes offered by WDA to more than 80. These programmes will offer more than 6,000 training places over the next three years.

WDA will also launch a series of workshops for middle to senior level human resource practitioners next year.

Yesterday, Acting Minister for Manpower Tan Chuan-Jin presented the Asian Human Capital Award to digital security firm Gemalto, and agricultural trader Olam International.

The award recognises companies with strong talent development programmes.