Government to invest $17m in furniture industry’s workforce

SPRING plans to train and certify 1,300 workers through 16 new courses.

Local enterprises in the furniture industry will benefit from SPRING Singapore’s Furniture Industry Productivity Plan which will invest $17 million to enhance the industry’s capabilities in design, branding and international market expansion, as well as people development over the next 5 years. This plan aims to increase the sector-wide nominal value-added per worker by 20 percent and raise Singapore furniture industry’s global market share from less than 1 percent today to 1.5 percent by 2015.

The furniture industry comprises nearly 1,900 companies, employing 17,500 workers and contributing some $878 million of VA to the Singapore economy. Current VA per worker is $50,000, which lags behind the national average VA of $89,800.

One of the crucial elements in this industry roadmap is workforce development. SPRING, WDA and Singapore Furniture Industries Council Institute are collaborating to develop in-employment vocational training in critical skills such as carpentry and project management. There will also be executive courses that equip PMETs with the knowledge to drive the company’s growth efforts. SPRING expects to train and certify 1,300 workers through 16 new courses.

Under SFIC’s enhanced Furniture Design DNA, design students will get exposure working in the industry through industrial attachments and overseas internship placements. A materials library and shared prototyping facilities will also be established by 2013 in the new National Design Centre.

All these initiatives will develop strong Singapore enterprises which are capable of trendsetting designs, world-class brands and manufacturing excellence. This will accelerate efforts to expand Singapore’s market share in global markets. To add vibrancy to the sector, SFIC will be holding its first Singapore Furniture Design Week, called SingaPlural, in conjunction with IFFS/AFS 2012. It is a week-long outdoor design event in the city that features designers’ exchange forums, design trails and seminars.

“The furniture industry is poised for further growth. Over the years, Singapore’s furniture companies have developed strong design capabilities, globalised their supply chain and increased their global market shares. Through this productivity plan, we aim to further strengthen their design capabilities and help them develop into global brands.” said Mr Png Cheong Boon, Chief Executive of SPRING Singapore.