HR roles in Singapore to get boost from HR tech transformation programme and job redesign toolkit

Through the former, work processes will also be reviewed to streamline administrative or transactional tasks to improve productivity. Meanwhile, the latter is a broad-based interactive tool that will help HR "self-help at scale" for HR job roles.

Workforce Singapore (WSG) and the Singapore National Employers Federation (SNEF) have introduced an HR Tech Transformation Programme (HRTTP), as well as an HR Job Redesign toolkit, in a virtual launch event today (Thursday, 25 November).

These two initiatives are part of the recommendations under Singapore's Ministry of Manpower’s HR industry transformation manpower plan and HR jobs transformation map (JTM).

The HR tech transformation programme (HRTTP)

At the virtual event, attended by Human Resources Online, Senior Minister of State for Ministry of Manpower, Zaqy Mohamad shared that the HRTTP aims to support 50 enterprises, and over 250 local HR professionals from SMEs and non-SMEs in implementing HR technology through HR process re-engineering, redesigning of impacted HR job(s), and managing HR job transitions arising from the HR technology adoption.

The stakeholders believe with strengthened HR processes and redesigned HR roles, HR professionals at their respective organisations can then allocate more time addressing strategic HR issues to meet organisation’s business objectives, while leveraging HR technology to enable a positive employee experience and enhance connectivity through online delivery of HR services.

Tan Choon Shian, Chief Executive, WSG, said: "Technology has been a critical enabler in business transformation as it raises work efficiency and creates a more agile workforce. WSG is pleased to support the transformation of the HR workforce by harnessing HR technology to redesign jobs to more strategic HR roles, thereby transforming HR from a cost-centre to a business-enabler."

Details on HRTTP

The HRTTP was piloted in March 2020, where 10 enterprises, of which five were SMEs, participated and implemented HR tech solutions. The programme had enabled HR to implement various technology solutions such as mobile learning, digitised employee data collection, and robotic process automation.

Further, according to WSG and SNEF, it had resulted in higher productivity and time and cost savings, and allowed close to 70 local HR professionals, of which 25% were mature workers, to take on higher-value job roles, such as data analytics and designing employee experience strategies. Participants were from diverse backgrounds, including those who did not hold formal HR qualifications or individuals who have been working in the HR field for many years.

Under the programme, the appointed consultant will support enterprises in job redesign and deliver programme outcomes which include enhancing job value and attractiveness through job enrichment and enlargement. Work processes will also be reviewed to streamline administrative or transactional tasks to improve productivity. Enterprises will receive support on their implementation of new HR technology solutions.

In essence, enterprises will be supported through following milestones and services:

• Human capital diagnostic tool (HCDT) - Diagnose HR gaps and identify priority areas for improvement;
• Consultancy for human capital development (HCD) - Enable HR professionals with the skills required to redesign jobs and manage change;
• Tech demonstration workshop - Help enterprises understand the advantages of adopting HR technology solutions for different HR functions and select relevant HR technology solutions;
• Consultancy for HR tech* - Recommend HR technology solutions to streamline or automate transactional and administrative HR tasks for improved productivity and delivery of employee experience;
• Consultancy for HR process re-engineering - Redesign HR processes with HR experts to embed HR technology solutions, and
• Consultancy for HR job redesign - Recommend how impacted HR job roles can be enriched or enlarged to enable business objectives.

*This does not cover the procurement of technology solutions. Enterprises can consider tapping on the SMEs Go Digital programme concurrently to support the costs of equipment/IT solutions.

Funding

Enterprises will receive funding under the support for job redesign, under a productivity solutions grant (PSG-JR) for job redesign-related consultancy costs incurred in their projects. Eligible enterprises will receive the following for approved projects:

• Enhanced funding for PSG-JR at 80% of JR consultancy cost, capped at S$30,000 per enterprise till 31 March 2022. Thereafter, the PSG-JR funding rate will revert to 70% of the JR consultancy cost, capped at S$30,000 per enterprise.

On top of the above funding support for PSG-JR, eligible enterprises can also tap on the SkillsFuture enterprise credit (SFEC) to defray out-of-pocket (OOP) expenses for supportable programmes and components. Eligible enterprises will receive a one-off S$10,000 credit per firm to cover up to 90% of OOP expenses.

Eligibility

All participating enterprises must fulfil the following criteria in order to qualify:

• Registered or incorporated and operating in Singapore, and
• Must have at least three local employees at the point of application.

About the HR Job Redesign Toolkit

Launched in conjunction with the HRTTP, the HR Job Redesign Toolkit looks to enable enterprises to self-help at scale for HR job roles to enable digital transformation, and job redesign at their workplace. This toolkit is a broad-based interactive tool to support HR in job redesign methodology and change management with downloadable templates, and will help HR professionals apply HR technology to different HR practices, and understand its benefits and potential.

Sim Gim Guan, Executive Director, SNEF, also shared: "By leveraging HR technology, employers, in particular SMEs, can achieve significant benefits. First, much of the HR processes that are currently done manually can be automated. Through greater productivity, HR professionals will have more time to focus on strategic issues, such as transforming their workforce and workplace practices to support business transformation. HR professionals can be better skilled, and the reduction of time-consuming manual tasks will also improve job satisfaction. Through the use of HR technology, HR planning and decision-making can also be better supported."

Image / 123RF

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