Larger firms must have certified HR staff by 2028; tripartite report urges 'people-centred AI transformation'
As technology makes workforce decisions more complex, the foundation of trust that workers have towards HR matters more, says Minister of State for Manpower Foo Cexiang.
The Singapore government announced on September 24 that firms with more than 200 employees will be required to have at least one certified human resource (HR) professional by July 1, 2028. The Institute for Human Resource Professionals (IHRP) has established this certification standard, which will be supported by the Ministry of Manpower (MOM), National Trades Union Congress (NTUC), and Singapore National Employers Federation (SNEF).
This move aims to professionalize the HR sector and ensure better decision-making for employees amidst the growing influence of technology.
Over 2,000 firms in Singapore employ more than 45% of the total workforce, with over 900 firms already having at least one IHRP-certified HR professional. The certification requirement supplements a similar recommendation made by an NTUC-SNEF task force in 2020, further solidifying the importance of trust between workers and HR personnel.
The government will provide an additional S$100 subsidy for IHRP certification from October 1, 2026, to June 30, 2028, and firms can also utilize the SkillsFuture Enterprise Credit to offset certification fees. By 2030, the number of certified HR professionals is projected to grow from 9,000 to approximately 18,000, making up 40% of the HR workforce.
Beyond certification, the government has accepted recommendations from the Tripartite Workgroup on Human Capital Capability Development for a people-centred AI transformation in HR functions. This initiative includes starter kits with AI solutions, training, and funding to help businesses implement AI effectively and responsibly. IHRP will also develop new AI fluency skills badges, and NTUC will create a playbook to guide HR professionals through the AI transformation process.
In addition, the workgroup recommends establishing the Singapore Opportunity Index as a national benchmark for career opportunities created by employers, enabling workers to make informed career decisions and employers to evaluate their workforce strategies more effectively.
Written by urgent.news from CNA - Singapore's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
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