Government launches productivity roadmap for precision engineering

This aims to raise the industry’s productivity level to that of advanced economies such as Germany, Japan and the USA.

The Precision Engineering Productivity Roadmap, developed by EDB and SPRING in consultation with companies, partner agencies and educational institutes, will address productivity challenges and lift the industry’s long-term productivity.

According to Mr Lim Hng Kiang, Minister for Trade and Industry, three key initiatives have been identified to triple the value-added per worker in the precision engineering industry from $67,000 in 2008 to $178,000 by 2020.

In a speech during the launch of the roadmap on 28 September 2011, the Minister said, “First, the industry will be transformed through the growth of higher value activities in Singapore. Second, we will work with companies to improve firm-level operational efficiency. Third, the precision engineering workforce will be further upgraded and equipped with the ability to undertake more complex manufacturing activities.”

Here’s an excerpt of the speech:

The Singapore government is committed to support companies in their efforts to improve operational efficiency. The enhanced Productivity and Innovation Credit (PIC), a broad-based scheme announced in Budget 2011, allows businesses to deduct 400% on up to $400,000 of their expenditure on productivity improvements per year, including investments in training and automation.

EDB and SPRING also have various programmes and incentive schemes which support productivity-related projects for precision engineering companies. These projects may include technology adoption, process improvements and job redesign. I encourage companies to embark on productivity-led growth with the support of these programmes and incentives to ensure long-term sustainability and competitiveness.

The third initiative is the upgrading and rejuvenation of the precision engineering workforce to meet the growing complexity of our manufacturing activities. This industry will need deeply skilled craftsmen as well as a pipeline of younger craftsmen to sustain our manufacturing edge. These craftsmen will complement the technologists and engineers from the polytechnics and universities, to offer a comprehensive range of skills and knowledge in Singapore.

I am pleased to announce that the NPCEC has therefore approved a $52million budget from the National Productivity Fund to support a skills-upgrading initiative for the precision engineering workforce. This includes the creation of a Master Craftsmen Programme at Nanyang Polytechnic. The programme, to be launched later this year, will offer advanced vocational training and accord recognition to Singapore’s top craftsmen. These master craftsmen will be equipped with advanced skills to lead productivity improvements, carry out more complex operations and utilise their deep technical knowledge to train the next generation of craftsmen.

Developing this pool of highly skilled craftsmen will enable Singapore to match the mastery seen in countries like Germany, Switzerland and Japan which have long histories of vocational training excellence. For generations, they have produced craftsmen respected for their manufacturing expertise. Similarly, this initiative aims to create recognition and establish a rewarding career path for our skilled craftsmen.

In the long run, a comprehensive pool of precision engineering talent will help strengthen the foundation of our manufacturing sector.

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