Singapore – SGX Mainboard-listed Boustead Projects Limited (“Boustead Projects”), a leading provider of innovative eco-sustainable real estate solutions, has partnered SkillsFuture Singapore (“SSG”) under the SkillsFuture Queen Bee programme to advance the SkillsFuture movement in the built environment sector. As a SkillsFuture Queen Bee, Boustead Projects has taken on a leading role to help small and medium enterprises (“SMEs”) build up their skills capability to meet the needs of the businesses. It is the first private sector organisation that SSG is partnering to drive workforce upskilling for the built environment sector.
The built environment sector has experienced several challenges such as the manpower challenge caused by the COVID-19 pandemic, as well as the transformation challenge posed by digitalisation. An early adopter of Building Information Modelling (BIM) and Integrated Digital Delivery (IDD), and a forerunner using applied artificial intelligence, machine learning and augmented/virtual reality to innovate its business, Boustead Projects has been able to withstand the economic headwinds creditably. However, Boustead Projects has always wanted to do more for the business community as it believes an industry-wide effort is essential to achieve sustainable impact across the sector. The SkillsFuture Queen Bee is a timely opportunity for Boustead Projects to serve this mission.
Mr Thomas Chu, Managing Director of Boustead Projects who is responsible for its Engineering & Construction business, said: “Boustead Projects has been a pioneering force in Singapore’s industrial real estate sector for the past 25 years and we are glad to be able to journey with our SME partners in their digital transformation. The SkillsFuture Queen Bee programme allows us to contribute to this interdependent ecosystem and build digital skills to elevate the entire sector to become a more resilient built environment sector.”
Since assuming the SkillsFuture Queen Bee role, Boustead Projects has reached out to 14 SMEs to discuss their skills needs and help them map out their training plans. To date, all have benefitted from Boustead Projects’ skills support and started their learning journey. The feedback from the participating SMEs has been encouraging as shared by Mr Lin Weiyang, Director (Operations) of Positive Engineering Pte Ltd: “Positive Engineering recognises that the adoption of digital technologies is essential to thrive in the digital economy, and this has become more critical with the ongoing COVID19 pandemic which has severely disrupted our sector. Participating in the SkillsFuture Queen Bee programme is a step in the right direction as we get to learn from and be mentored by an industry leader like Boustead Projects. We are committed to the programme and look forward to upskilling our workers and improving our work processes to bring about greater efficiency and productivity, just like Boustead Projects.”
The SkillsFuture Queen Bee programme is supported by the Building & Construction Authority (“BCA”) and participating SMEs are able to gain Continuing Professional Development (“CPD”) points for relevant training courses curated by Boustead Projects.
Mr Kelvin Wong, Chief Executive Officer of BCA, said: “Digitalisation will be key in the transformation of the built environment sector as it helps enhance collaboration, improve productivity, and reduce wastage of resources. BCA has been reaching out to help BE firms and employees with the necessary digital knowledge to enable them to embark on their digitalisation journey. We look forward to having more industry leaders like Boustead Projects step forward to share their expertise with other SME partners through the SkillsFuture Queen Bee programme.”
Indeed, the built environment sector has demonstrated the value of collective efforts to contend with tough transformational issues. Mr Tan Kok Yam, Chief Executive of SkillsFuture Singapore, said: “We thank Boustead Projects for taking on the mantle of a SkillsFuture Queen Bee for the built environment sector. A competent workforce, armed with up-to-date skills, will enable companies to harness technology, improve productivity and transform business processes. As a SkillsFuture Queen Bee, Boustead Projects will bring companies together, including SMEs, to help workers upskill and raise the sector’s competitiveness.
