[SINGAPORE] An enhanced internship programme and better procurement practices are among 11 recommendations to strengthen Singapore’s built-environment consultancy sector, said a report released on Friday (Sep 5).
Second Minister for National Development Indranee Rajah, noting Singapore’s long-term infrastructure and building projects, said: “These recommendations will create a thriving sector and ensure a strong pipeline of capable consultant firms and talented built-environment professionals to deliver on these infrastructure plans.”
She was speaking at the inaugural Building Singapore Festival at VivoCity, an event targeted at professionals in the built-environment sector, which is in the throes of a talent shortage and unsustainable price competition, with firms undercutting fees to secure projects.
A year ago, the Taskforce for Architectural and Engineering Consultants was formed to look into ways to strengthen the sector’s talent pipeline and business sustainability.
Its report was developed after more than 40 engagements and focus-group discussions with more than 400 stakeholders from built-environment firms, institutes of higher learning (IHLs) and the trade associations and chambers (TACs).
The 11 recommendations fall into five broad areas: careers; sustainability and profitability; building a dynamic and progressive sector; industry culture; and TAC capabilities.
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Grooming talents
One key recommendation is an enhanced internship programme for IHL students, dubbed Inspire.
Participating companies are to offer longer internships of at least 30 weeks, compared to the industry’s typical duration of 20 weeks; it has also been suggested that they offer a higher allowance of at least S$1,500, compared to the market rate of S$1,000 to S$1,500.
The programmes will also have dedicated mentors and clear learning outcomes, to ensure participants acquire key technical and soft skills.
The aim is for participants to be “industry-ready” and be better able to contribute after graduation. Participating firms will recognise these internships as relevant work experience, and offer starting salaries above prevailing market rates to returning interns.
IHLs running built-environment courses – the Nanyang Technological University, National University of Singapore, Singapore Institute of Technology and Singapore University of Technology and Design – will take part in the programme.
More than 20 firms have expressed interest, and these include built-environment consultancies Arup, Beca, DP Architects and Surbana Jurong.
The Inspire programme was one of four manpower-related recommendations, alongside providing early exposure to careers in the sector; making IHL curricula more relevant; and improving human resource practices.
Quality-based procurement
Another recommendation is for public and private-sector service buyers to emphasise quality-based procurement and discourage low, unsustainable bids.
Noting that the government is looking at updating procurement evaluation criteria to put too-low bids at a disadvantage, the taskforce recommended that private-sector buyers adopt similar approaches.
Service buyers should also keep improving contractual clauses, for a fairer distribution of risks with built-environment consultants.
This includes making the “limitation of liability” clause a default in standard consultancy agreements. This would make professional liabilities more insurable and more commensurate with consultancy fees and the scale and complexity of projects.
From well-being to sector growth
Another recommendation calls for the fostering of a better workplace culture. To this end, the taskforce has developed a charter with best practices for a collaborative culture and staff well-being.
More than 30 firms, made up of service buyers and consultants, have committed to implementing this.
Other recommendations are encouraging of sustainable fees, embracing transformation, strengthening business acumen, giving greater recognition to consultants, and improving TAC capabilities.
