Budget 2022 Announcements related to SGTech Recommendations

In addition to submitting the Industry Recommendations for Budget 2022 to the Ministry of Finance in October 2021, SGTech continued engaging stakeholders to communicate the rationale for our recommendations.

We are happy to report that, as of 10 March 2022, several announcements have been made in the Budget 2022 Committee of Supply debates that are related to our recommendations and advocacy points.

Recommendation: Skills-based hiring for EP to ensure a strong pipeline of global tech talent to fill specific essential roles

In relation to the Employment Pass (EP) policy, SGTech has advocated a more transparent, skills-based system in recent years.

We are heartened by Minister Tan See Leng’s announcement that the Ministry of Manpower will introduce a new Complementarity Assessment Framework (COMPASS) for EP applications starting from Sep 2023.

The increased transparency is a boon for companies as they can now work consciously to improve their ability to meet requirements to acquire overseas talent to complement their Singapore core.

SGTech looks forward to working with MOM and IMDA on the implementation details for the tech sector and future fine-tuning where needed.

Read our op-ed in The Edge Singapore which recommends implementing skills-based testing as part of the work pass application process.

Recommendation: Job-ready workforce through apprenticeships

SGTech’s recommendations for Budget 2022 included creating industry-led apprenticeship programmes to groom a workforce with relevant and job-ready skills – something that we have advocated for in recent years.

We were delighted when Minister of State for Communications and Information Tan Kiat How announced that the Infocomm Media Development Authority (IMDA) will introduce a new initiative aimed at helping students and graduates from Singapore's polytechnics and Institute of Technical Education to start their careers in tech.

Many SGTech members have also stepped forward to support, reflecting the popularity of the initiative.

The encouraging results in Switzerland and Germany, where apprenticeship is used to build up a ready talent pool for companies and apprentices are valued and sought after, gives us hope for our polytechnic and ITE graduates soon to undergo the programme.

Read SGTech Chair Mr Wong Wai Meng's reflections on a Europe study trip in 2019.

Leveraging TACs’ industry knowledge to identify in-demand and emerging skills

We are excited to collaborate with SkillsFuture Singapore as a Skills Development Partner to help companies better plan for workforce upgrading, and improve job mobility of individual workers.

Ms Gan Siow Huang, Minister of State for Education, announced this partnership, which will see SSG, together with SGTech and Singapore Computer Society, we will support companies in the ICT sector by

Identifying in-demand and emerging skills;
Facilitating timely dissemination of Jobs-and-Skills insights; and
Putting in place structures to accredit skills acquired at the workplace.

Recommendation: Support TACs’ digital transformation through PSG or a digital transformation grant

Trade associations and chambers (TACs) play a crucial role to position our companies for opportunities and build new competencies amidst inflationary pressures. There is critical need to support TACs to be catalyst for companies, to provide the necessary support for growth.

Ms Low Yen Ling, Minister of State for Trade and Industry, announced Digi-TAC, which will see SGTech partner with SBF to assist TACs in their digitalisation journey.

“In this wave of digitalisation of our economy and companies, TACs as champions of industry must walk the talk and themselves be digitally savvy. In this regard, SGTech as the association representing the tech industry will be partnering SBF to make available, solutions and programmes to upgrade TACs in Singapore so that they can better serve their respective industries to seize growth opportunities in the digital economy,” said Mr Wong Wai Meng, SGTech Chair.

Together, SBF and SGTech will support TACs’ digital transformation through

Adoption of pre-approved digital solutions curated for TACs; and
Equipping TAC secretariat staff with digital capabilities to support their respective industries and members.

Let's Journey Together

Join SGTech, the association for Singapore's tech industry. Contact us at [email protected].