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The council will focus on areas including broad-based and sectoral training for workers, as well as targeted transition support for at-risk worker segments and occupations to facilitate timely transitions.
Singapore’s tripartite partners — Ministry of Manpower (MOM), National Trades Union Congress (NTUC), and Singapore National Employers Federation (SNEF) — will be forming a new Tripartite Jobs Council (TJC) to support workers and businesses as they transition towards the use of artificial intelligence (AI).
Recognising the urgency for coordinated action to address the impact of AI, the TJC will focus on helping companies adopt AI responsibly while ensuring workers are equipped with the skills needed to stay relevant as job roles change. In addition, it will support and build on the tripartite partners’ respective efforts and programmes, and complement the Government’s efforts under the National AI Council to drive Singapore’s AI agenda.
This will be achieved through the following key areas:
- Coordinated support for enterprise workforce transformation in tandem with AI adoption,
- Broad-based and sectoral training for workers, as well as targeted transition support for at-risk worker segments and occupations to facilitate timely transitions, and
- Building public awareness of AI and encouraging take-up of initiatives.
The TJC will also enable tripartite partners to scale outreach, accelerate policy implementation and direct resources to where they are needed most. This will better support employers in adopting AI responsibly, while strengthening AI readiness and job security for workers.
Quotes from various leaders from the tripartite partners can be found below:
Dr Tan See Leng, Minister for Manpower, said the TJC represents the tripartite partners’ collective commitment to translate AI’s potential into good jobs for Singaporeans.
"By harnessing the combined reach and capabilities of our unions, employers, and the Government, we will help every worker maximise their potential, and every business can thrive by bringing out the best in their people.”
Ng Chee Meng, Secretary-General, NTUC added that with AI changing the way people work, it is imperative that workers are not left behind during the transformation. The TJC, he said, can bring together and scale tripartite capabilities under one roof, as partners take collective action to stand with workers of all collars, especially professionals, managers and executives (PMEs), and youths.
"TJC is our steadfast commitment to support workers, equip them with relevant skills, and ensure they benefit from new opportunities in the AI-enabled economy.”
As Tan Hee Teck, President, SNEF, also pointed out, it will be critical to continue strengthening business competitiveness by helping employers navigate the transformation and seize new opportunities arising from AI, while building a workforce that can leverage AI effectively for productivity gains.
"The TJC efforts will focus on making sure that sustainable growth for businesses and good jobs for workers go hand-in-hand.”
Further details on the JTC's composition and plans will be revealed in due course.
Lead image / SNEF
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