Media Release

Embargoed for Release at 9.05am, 28 November 2016

The Workforce Advancement Federation (WAF) harnesses technology and people

development in raising the innovation and productivity bars in SMEs under the Lean

Enterprise Development Scheme

Workforce Singapore appoints four P- Max Programme Managers under the ADAPT & GROW

initiative to assist SMEs to hire and retain PMETs and adopt progressive HR practices

Singapore, 28 November 2016 – The Workforce Advancement Federation (WAF) held its 2nd Lean Enterprise Development (LED) Forum today. The forum offers a platform for leading workforce champions to share HR best practices with other businesses and encourage fellow enterprises to adopt new innovations to stay relevant in the new manpower-lean economy. Co-organised by Workforce Singapore (WSG), in collaboration with SPRING Singapore, IE Singapore and various other organisations, this forum aims to encourage a mindset shift from the traditional labour-driven growth strategies in businesses towards technology-driven growth strategies where progressive changes can be supported by available government schemes and programmes. WAF announced its two-pronged approach of combining the use of technology to create breakthrough business propositions and productivity with the development and enhancement of a strong Singaporean core. The approach aims to leverage technology and encourage the development of a more progressive workforce. WAF, together with 25 SMEs in the Interior Design, MICE1, Construction and Hospitality industries, unveiled the 3D-Scan Visualiser today at the 2nd LED Forum. Having undergone close to a year of development and refinement, the 3D-Scan Visualiser aims to address the key issue of diminishing availability of Singapore workers who have the skill to conduct interior space measurement. The benefit of this technology to businesses has been substantial. Companies have experienced 50% productivity gains and up to $25,000 in cost savings from 10 medium-sized residential projects. This LED project is supported by SPRING Singapore via the Local Enterprise and Association Development (LEAD) programme. Unlike current solutions in the market, the 3D-Scan Visualiser is able to scan interior spaces and populate the scanned data almost instantly into a 3D model for use in business proposals and project plans. With this advanced technology in place, human error can be minimised, employers can empower their employees with new skills while accelerating their company’s growth, and employees will find it easier to remain employable and relevant. Following this launch, WAF aims to engage an additional 75 companies in adopting the 3D-Scan Visualiser.

1 MICE stands for Meetings, Incentives, Conferences, and Events

Coupled with the launch of the 3D-Scan Visualiser, HTC VIVE offers an additional fully immersive room-scale and true-to-life interactions virtual reality solution. Companies can now make use of 3D models generated from the federation’s device to project actual site photos using virtual reality technologies such as VIVE for enterprises. Besides increasing productivity and addressing the issues arising from the lack of skilled workers, this disruptive solution also leads the way in creating new value chains by enabling companies to enhance their customers’ experience by allowing them to view interior spaces or business propositions in Virtual Reality environments. The early adopters of this solution will be game changers in the marketplace further raising their competitive edge amongst their peers. Mr Chan Chong Beng, Chairman of WAF, said, “With so much technology in the market that promises productivity improvements through instant measurement of interior spaces, we felt the need to take this technology to another level. It would not only improve productivity through its ease of use and speed of populating results but most importantly, it creates a unique business proposition for our early adopters.” Ms Chew Mok Lee, Assistant Chief Executive, Capabilities and Partnership Group, SPRING Singapore said, “I am glad that WAF has taken the initiative to spearhead change in the Interior Design, MICE, Construction and Hospitality industries by leading the development and implementation of the 3D-Scan Visualiser. Such efforts in facilitating industry and enterprise collaboration to develop, test and fine tune solutions help ensure better customisation of technology to meet common business needs. SPRING will continue to support local trade associations and chambers in these initiatives.” Blending talent development with technology adoption is the second message shared at the Forum, which aims to encourage mindset shifts from traditional labour-driven business growth strategies to technology-driven growth strategies. SMEs are encouraged to be on the constant lookout for change and improvements, and at the same time, recruit, develop and retain the right talent to ensure that people remain the driving force of the business. The forum also witnessed Workforce Singapore’s appointment of Workforce Advancement Federation (WAF), Singapore Productivity Association (SPA), Singapore Manufacturing Federation (SMF) and U SME (An NTUC initiative) as Programme Managers under the P-Max programme. P-Max is a Place-and-Train programme that aims to help SMEs better recruit, train, manage and retain their newly-hired Professionals, Managers, Executives and Technicians(PMETs) and adopt progressive HR practices. As part of the Adapt & Grow initiative announced by the Ministry of Manpower in April this year, the appointment of the four additional P-Max Programme Managers will collectively bring the number of PMETs to be assisted under the programme to 5,500 by end of 2019. Mr Tan Choon Shian, Chief Executive, Workforce Singapore, said, “With the shift towards a manpower-lean economy and the need to develop our human capital, it is imperative that businesses transform themselves into a manpower-lean model and at the same time adopt progressive human resource practices that will help in the attraction, development and retention of talent needed for a lean economy. With the additional appointment of four Programme

Managers under the P-Max programme, more SMEs will be able to build their HR capabilities so that the skills and experience of PMETs can be optimised in the SME work environment.” As part of the forum’s programme, Minister of State, Ministry of Manpower, Mr Teo Ser Luck also engaged participants in a dialogue session that revolved around technology and its impact on talent and productivity improvements. The Federation will continue to roll out relevant initiatives that can propel SMEs to be future ready.

-END- For media enquiries, please contact: Ms Ginny Woo Strategic Planning Workforce Advancement Federation Mobile : 8333 7883 Email : ginny.woo@waf.org.sg Enclosed:

ANNEX A – PROFILES OF EVENT ORGANISER AND PARTNERS

ANNEX B – FACT SHEET ON 3D-SCAN VISUALISER

ANNEX C – FACT SHEET ON “P-MAX” PLACE-AND-TRAIN PROGRAMMES – MAXIMIZING PMET POTENTIAL IN SMES

ANNEX A

PROFILES OF EVENT ORGANISER AND PARTNERS Event Organiser: Workforce Advancement Federation

Workforce Advancement Federation Ltd (WAF) is a non-profit organisation incorporated to provide assistance and support to the local business communities in building a sustainable workforce. Through its various initiatives and activities, WAF aims to provide sharing and learning platforms to facilitate the exchange of best practices in human resource and capability development for the local workforce. In tandem of fostering the spirit of tripartism within Singapore’s dynamic business environment, the federation envision its core objective of shaping a productive and competitive workforce as key to the overall economic progress of the nation.

Co-Organiser: Workforce Singapore

Workforce Singapore (WSG) will promote 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 will focus on strengthening the Singaporean core and ensure that Singaporeans are able to have better jobs and careers. Workforce Singapore, in partnership with key stakeholders, will also provide support to business owners and companies to enable them to adapt and grow, while building a future-ready workforce. For more information, please visit www.wsg.gov.sg.

The profiles of the following partners are made available on their website.

Strategic Partners Ministry of Manpower Health Promotion Board International Enterprise Singapore SPRING Singapore Technology Partner Aviation Virtual Pte Ltd Collaboration Partner HTC Corporation Innovation Partner Tyco Fire & Security Knowledge Partner BDO Consultants Pte Ltd Preferred Partner Global Fairs & Associates Pte Ltd

Event Partner Messe Frankfurt Asia Holding Ltd Infocomm Partner StarHub Limited IT Partner Hewlett Packard Singapore Marketing Partner Scope Communications Pte Ltd Media Partner HRM Asia Official Caterer Neo Group Limited Supporting Organisations DHdeco Pte Ltd Singapore Institute Of Manufacturing Technology (SIMTech) Singapore Malay Chamber Of Commerce & Industry (SMCCI) SME Centre@SMCCI (Singapore Malay Chamber Of Commerce & Industry) Singapore Productivity Centre (SPC)

ANNEX B

FACT SHEET ON 3D-SCAN VISUALISER Overview Since Nov 2015, Workforce Advancement Federation (WAF) has been appointed as one of the Lean Enterprise Development (LED) Multipliers to help SMEs embark on the LED Scheme to become more manpower-lean, strengthen the Singaporean Core and further enhance workforce capabilities. Following the announcement of the LED Scheme by Minister Lim Swee Say of MOM late last year, WAF has embarked on a productivity journey for SMEs to develop a LED Project targeting at the industry sectors of Interior Design & Furnishing, Construction Services, MICE & Hospitality to help transform industry wide practices through technology adoption. Based on extensive research and development work conducted with the gathering of practical feedback from key industry players, the 3D-Scan Visualiser is a newly developed technology solution which is ready to launch into the market with approved funding of up to 70% by SPRING Singapore under LEAD Funding. Through its adoption, SMEs are expected to reap productivity gains and reduce manpower constraints leading to greater business profits, higher staff retention rate and increased manpower-savings in the long run. WAF is the only appointed federation to market the 3D-Scan Visualiser and administer approved funding to eligible SMEs for their adoption. About 3D-Scan Visualiser Aviation Virtual Pte Ltd (AVPL) is the appointed technology provider to develop a customised application software that is integrated with a handheld self-contained 3D scanner (DPI-8) to leverage on the latest 3D and virtual reality technologies to perform the following functions: Ease of capturing indoor jobsite measurements more accurately & efficiently;

Quick generation of 2D & 3D modeling floorplans from imaging captured;

Auto-conversion of scan data into AutoCAD file formats;

Promotes real-time rendering of 3D visualisation of indoor space;

Virtual reality viewing with your custom choices of wall coverings, flooring & furnitures;

Automate quantity takeoff for faster processing of delivery orders & invoices to clients.

Technical Specifications Handheld 3D scanner with Android tablet Export to all major formats: PTS, PTX, PLY, PTG, Cyclone 16 GB storage (on average a room scan is about 1 GB) 3 GB RAM (for large scan, can append after each to flush memory) SD Card Slot for additional memory Tablet Screen Size: 10 inch tablet Device Size: 23 x 27 x 8 cm Weight: < 1 kg (2.2 lbs) Temperature Tested operating range: 15 °C to 32 °C (60 °F to 85 °F) Lighting Not operational in direct sunlight Humidity Non-condensing

Benefits of Adoption

From company’s perspective, the 3D-Scan Visualiser will enable companies to:

Reap productivity gains as lesser time and effort is needed for jobsite measurement, quantity estimation & generation of 2D & 3D floorplans making the process faster, simpler and easier.

Reduce the challenges & need to hire more site supervisors/quantity surveyors/3D graphics developers thereby increasing manpower cost savings over the long term.

Allow salespersons or other less technically-trained persons to perform the measurement while

they are at customers’ sites, thereby reducing manhours and time can be reinvested into more value-adding roles.

Reduce human errors from taking site measurements & quantity estimation as datasets obtained

are dimensional, measurable and shareable to eliminate any guesswork or interpretation back at the office.

Create new value chains by enabling companies to enhance their customers’ experience

through viewing of interior spaces or business propositions in Virtual Reality environments and reduce any potential disputes.

Ensure proper documentation of projects undertaken for building of projects portfolio and for

future reference purposes.

Range Typical Accuracy Minimum Accuracy

< 1 m (3.3 ft) 99.8% 99.6%

1 m to 2 m (6.6 ft.) 99.5% 99.2%

2 m to 3.3 m (11 ft.) 99.0% 98.6%

From employees’ perspective, they will benefit from the following: With potential productivity gains and the reduced need to recruit trained site supervisors or

lesser skilled draftsman, any cost savings and revenue gain due to faster closure of deals will translate into higher profit which can then be used to increase the salary and bonus allocation and skills upgrading budget for employees.

Employees’ skills can then be better deployed to areas which will add the most value to customers and the organisation.

Boost attraction for new hires and staff retention, with the improved job requirements for the

Quantity Surveying team in particular, via reduced number of site visits and site measurements required.

3D-Scan Visualiser Packages Details

NO. PACKAGES DETAILS STARTER PRO ENTERPRISE

1

DPI-8 Imager Kit includes: 10” Android Samsung Galaxy Tab S2 9.7 Tablet 10” tablet bracket with handle attachment Pre-loaded with customised application software Calibrated RGB-D camera Accessories – carrying case & charger

1 X SET

1 X SET

2 X SETS

2

Head Mounted Display System includes: 1 pair of virtual reality goggle headset (HTC Vive) Connected to 1 PC (CPU + Monitor) with compatible

system requirements

X

1 X SET X

3 End-User Training & Technical Support User manual & training provided 3 months technical support upon purchase

4 Lifetime Free Software License No need to pay for license renewal Enjoy free software upgrades

Eligibility Criteria for Funding Fulfil definition of SME as per SPRING’s SME Criteria:

Company must be incorporated or registered in Singapore and meet any ONE of the following: o Group annual sales turnover of not more than S$100m OR o Group employment of not more than 200 employees.

Funding made available for up to 100 SMEs only on a first-come first-served basis

For further information, please contact WAF Secretariat at E: leds@waf.org.sg , DID: 6597 8339.

ANNEX C FACTSHEET ON “P-MAX” PLACE-AND-TRAIN PROGRAMMES – MAXIMIZING PMET POTENTIAL IN SMES

Background

SMEs form 99% of all enterprises in Singapore and have an integral role to play in Singapore’s economy. SMEs currently employ around seven out of every ten workers, and contribute nearly half of Singapore’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP). In today’s highly competitive business environment, a critical success factor is the recruitment and retention of talent. However, this is also an area that many SMEs are challenged to overcome in Singapore, with the limited pool of local talent in our tight labour market. With PMETs set to form the majority of our local workforce in the years ahead, it is therefore imperative to have more attention and resources dedicated to ensure that local PMETs across different age groups and income levels continue to remain relevant and gainfully employed, potentially within SMEs that can offer interesting and challenging career opportunities.

About P-Max

The PnT programmes under P-Max seek to help SMEs to better recruit, train, manage and retain their newly-hired PMETs, encourage the adoption of progressive human resource practices within SMEs, and help to place job-seeking PMETs into suitable SME jobs. P-Max Programme Managers will work closely with SME and PMET participants to complete the relevant training and six-month follow-up thereafter under their respective PnT programmes.

Appointed P-Max PMs will work with employment facilitation partners such as WSG Career Centres and e2i, to help screen and match job-seeking PMETs with suitable positions in hiring SMEs. SME management/supervisors/HR representatives (SME Reps) and their newly-hired PMETs will attend their respective SME and PMET workshops, where the SME Reps will learn how to better communicate with their newly-hired PMETs and to adopt and incorporate progressive HR best practices/guidelines within their SMEs, while PMETs will learn how to better acclimatise to and take on SME jobs. Funding Support

With up to 90% funding support from WSG, SMEs will only be required to pay the 10% nett fee portion of the respective SME and PMET workshop course fees:

P-Max

Course Fee Funding

by WSG Up to 90% course fee funding for SME and PMET workshop

Assistance Grant

Upon completion of both workshops, the appointed P-Max PMs will follow-up with the newly-trained PMET personnel and their SME Reps for a period of six months. SMEs who successfully complete the six-month follow-up and retain their newly-hired PMET employee, will be eligible for a one-off S$5,000 Assistance Grant. Eligibility Criteria

SMEs will need to meet the following criteria to be eligible for WSG funding support:

Be registered or incorporated in Singapore

Be made up of at least 30% local shareholding

Have an annual sales turnover of not more than $100 million or employment size not exceeding 200 employees

PMETs will need to meet the following criteria to be eligible for WSG funding support:

Be a Singapore Citizen or Permanent Resident who is keen to pursue a full-time career in an SME; and

Possess educational qualifications that are Diploma or higher, or employed/have prior work experience in a PMET position; and

Have graduated or completed National Service for a minimum period of 12 months

How to Apply

For more details on the Programme, Please visit www.wsg.gov.sg and contact the respective programme partners to apply.

P-Max

ASME PnT Programme SNEF PnT Programme SMF PnT Programme

Telephone 6513 0349 / 0350 6827 6977 6826 3051 / 6826 3076

Email pmax@asme.org.sg p-max@snef.org.sg p-max@smfederation.org.sg

Website http://www.pmax.sg http://www.p-max.sg http://pmaxsingapore.com