SFIC unveils new CCP for Furniture Industry

Right-Skilling for the Singapore Furniture Industry's Future

Reskilling Manpower. This is a key focus of Singapore's furniture industry in 2023 amidst the uncertain economic outlook as the world recovers towards the new normal. The Singapore Furniture Industries Council (SFIC), alongside its training and skills development arm, SFIC Institute, is encouraging businesses to continue investing in reskilling and upskilling their employees. From C-Suite leaders to operational staff to youths, the SFIC announced at its Industry Dialogue and Chinese New Year Luncheon its plans for 2023 to support the sector's efforts in building a sustainable workforce, in line with its 2025 roadmap of being the nexus of tomorrow's work-life integration for sustainable living.

SFIC Institute is the appointed programme partner for Workforce Singapore's (WSG) most recent Career Conversion Programme that focuses on applied learning through On-Job Training (OJT) opportunities.. The updated programme looks to upskill and reskill its members, making them future-ready for an ever-changing economic landscape.

The luncheon was graced by Guest-of-Honour Mr Desmond Tan, Minister of State, Prime Minister's Office, and Deputy Secretary General of NTUC who engaged in an enriching dialogue titled "Security in Uncertainty: Right-Skill for the Future '' with key industry leaders. The panel also included SFIC President Mr Phua Boon Huat, SFIC Institute Chairman and Executive Director of Sitra Global Pte Ltd, Mr Steven Chew, and Founder of Soundzipper LLP, Mr Adrian Lo, and was moderated by Ms Chew Mok Lee, an Enterprise Fellow with Enterprise Singapore (ESG) and Advisor to SFIC. The extensive dialogue outlined Singapore's steps towards innovative manpower solutions and SFIC and its Institute's role in creating a sustainable workforce for the furniture industry.

"As we switched gears out of the Covid-19 pandemic, it is crucial that Singapore shapes an adaptive workforce that pivots nimbly to rapidly changing labour market and industry needs, especially during such times of uncertainty. Thus, it is encouraging to see trade associations like SFIC and its Institute prioritising the right-skilling of its industry fellows. The Singapore government and the NTUC will continue to partner with SFIC and other trade associations to prepare their respective industries and people to become adept and ready for the future," says Mr Desmond Tan.

A Programme to Right-Skill for the Future

Managed by the SFIC Institute, the newest Career Conversion Programme for Furniture Industry Talents by WSG has been redesigned to be more flexible and cover more job roles, to cater to the industry's needs. The programme will cover various job levels and sectors of the furniture industry, ranging from workers to executives, improving the skillsets of important business fronts such as renewing an approach to internationalisation, logistics, supply chain management, design and business innovation, as well as driving sustainability in every aspect of the furniture business.

"Sustainability does not only come in the form of taking care of the environment, but of our people too. The latest CCP creates numerous possibilities for upskilling and reskilling in job roles to support business transformation. A workforce that is well taken care of ultimately underpins the overall progress and success of our industry," states Mr Phua Boon Huat.

The programme will also have more personalised and intentional coaching and mentoring whilst creating more applied learning opportunities as trainees learn on the job. This includes a structured three- to six-month On-the-Job Training (OJT) to facilitate their conversion into the furniture industry. Existing employees may also go through Job Redesign Reskilling to transform jobs and redesign responsibilities to increase job satisfaction, motivate employees and improve organisation's output.

Mr Tan Choon Shian, Chief Executive of WSG, chimed in with his support for the initiative: "The furniture industry's multi-faceted nature, from its manufacturing processes to the management of people, makes it necessary for continuous right-skilling. We are glad to support SFIC Institute in helping our local furniture companies redesign their work processes, tasks and responsibilities, enhancing the growth of the members and their people, especially for new staff and workers."

SFIC Institute's Role in Job Redesign under Productivity Solutions Grant (PSG-JR)

On top of supporting the right-skilling of individuals, the SFIC Institute is also a pre-approved Job Redesign (JR) consultant under SNEF's PSG-JR, assisting companies keen on undergoing business transformation. As a JR consultant, the institute helps to redesign and re-allocate the work processes of firms to enhance overall productivity. It also helps businesses embark on their journey towards creating an even more conducive working environment for their staff, enabling businesses to remain competitive with the hiring and retention of good employees.

Preparing the Next Generation: MOU Signing with SFIC and ITE

Beyond the CCP and PSG-JR, SFIC looks towards the future with the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with the Institute of Technical Education (ITE), taking another step towards training, developing and engaging the next generation of furniture industry leaders.

The MOU will open up a number of platforms where students are able to experience a smoother transition into the furniture industry. As students undergo experiential learning through internships and hands-on training, it prepares a new line of young workers and leaders that will keep the furniture industry fresh and relevant.

"In line with our renewed focus on manpower, this collaboration with ITE is timely and exciting. It not only creates meaningful opportunities for existing ITE students but also for our current members to have an exchange of ideas and learnings from our mentorship programmes. SFIC and its Institute is excited to welcome new and vibrant individuals into our industry as we tackle the demands of tomorrow," said Mr Steven Chew, Vice President of SFIC and Chairman of SFIC Institute.

Ms Low Khah Gek, Chief Executive Officer of ITE, said, "As Singapore's furniture industry continues to grow and transform, there is a strong demand for skilled manpower who are adept in areas such as e-commerce and retail business. This partnership supports the development of our students as future talents and leaders of the industry by opening internship and real-world learning opportunities for them. It also reinforces our efforts to equip our students with skills that are relevant to changing industry needs.

About SFIC

The Singapore Furniture Industries Council (SFIC) has been established since 1981 as the official representative body of Singapore's furniture and furnishings industry. It has a membership of over 360 companies, spanning five key industry clusters: furniture manufacturers, interior fit-out specialists, retailers, designers, as well as materials/components/services providers. Collectively, our industry players have a global footprint in over 80 countries to date.

Currently, the council represents 95 per cent of established furniture manufacturers in Singapore, of whom 65 per cent have subsidiary manufacturing plants in various countries across the region, including China, Indonesia, Malaysia, Myanmar, Thailand and Vietnam.

As an aggregator and multiplier in the furniture ecosystem, the SFIC's vision is to position the Singapore furniture industry as the nexus of tomorrow's work-life integration for sustainable urban living. In essence, the Council aims to pursue the three key pillars of market agility, urbanite-centricity and enterprise adeptness for its members in order to drive the industry further.

SFIC's priority initiatives include internationalisation, design development, business innovation, digitalisation and sustainability to enable members to stay future-ready and competitive while upgrading enterprise and human capital capabilities within the industry.

The SFIC also helms the ASEAN Furniture Industries Council (AFIC) as its Chairman, with the aim of further strengthening intra-ASEAN trade and its competitive advantage in the global market.

About SFIC Institute

SFIC Institute, a subsidiary of the Singapore Furniture Industries Council (SFIC), was initially formed as a training and development initiative for the furniture industry in 2004. Privatised in October 2010, SFIC Institute offers a holistic range of offerings comprising product design and development, retail, digital marketing and analytics, human resources, sales and marketing, production technology logistics, sustainability, customised programmes and consultancy services.

Distinctive offerings such as its manpower training and placement programmes for interior fit-out specialists, digital operations talent, designers and matured workers prepare workers for the ever-changing socio-economic landscape and help employers redesign key roles. Through such initiatives, the Institute continues helping the industry attract, groom and grow a pool of local workforce.

SFIC Institute also brings valuable resources and exceptional service to each and every one of its clients in or beyond the furniture industry. Some of its clients include Benel, Catalyste, Cellini, Commune, Elmich, Facility Link, Falcon, First Sight International, Grafunkt, Grandwork, House of Teak, IDV Concepts, In-Expat, P5, Picket & Rail, Redwood Interior, Scene Shang, Sitra Global, Star Furniture, Sunjoy and Superstructure.

SFIC Institute also partners with various organisations such as NTUC's e2i (Employment and Employability Institute), SkillsFutureSingapore (SSG), Enterprise Singapore, the Workforce Singapore (WSG), Council for Third Age, SNEF and Institutes of Higher Learning (IHLs) for funding support and to ensure that the Institute offers valuable, relevant programmes and initiatives to clients.

About Workforce Singapore

Workforce Singapore promotes the development, competitiveness, inclusiveness, and employability of all levels of the workforce. Its key mission is to enable Singaporeans to meet their career aspirations, take on quality jobs at different stages of life, and help enterprises be competitive and manpower lean. Workforce Singapore's focus is on strengthening the Singaporean core and ensuring that Singaporeans are able to have better jobs and careers. Workforce Singapore, in partnership with key stakeholders, also provides support to business owners and companies to enable them to transform and grow, while building a future-ready workforce.

About ITE

The Institute of Technical Education (ITE) was established as a post-secondary institution in 1992, under the Ministry of Education. ITE is a principal provider of career and technical education and a key developer of national skills certification and standards skilling Singapore for the future economy. It offers three key programmes - (1) Pre-Employment Training for youths after secondary education (2) Continuing Education and Training for adult learners and (3) Workplace Learning and Work-Study Programmes with employers. Under its 'One ITE System, Three Colleges' Governance Model, ITE has three Colleges - ITE College Central, ITE College East and ITE College West. For more information, please visit our website at https://www.ite.edu.sg