The National Trades Union Congress (NTUC) is at the forefront of a major push to help Singaporean workers and businesses navigate the challenges and opportunities of an AI-driven future. Through key initiatives like the AI Transformation Blueprint and Company Training Committee (CTC) grants, the labour movement is empowering companies to adopt technology responsibly while ensuring that workers are equipped with the skills they need to thrive.
The latest figures highlight the scale of this effort. NTUC has approved over 700 CTC Grant projects from more than 500 companies, a move that is poised to benefit nearly 10,000 workers. This marks a significant increase from the roughly 6,000 workers who benefited from the grant just a year prior.
CTC Grant: A Win-Win for Companies and Workers
The CTC Grant, launched in April 2022, is designed to co-fund up to 70% of companies’ transformation projects and related training costs. This financial support makes it easier for businesses to invest in new technologies, confident that they have a strong partner in the NTUC.
The benefits, however, extend directly to workers. Employees involved in these projects are seeing tangible results, including an average 5% wage increase on top of their annual increment, skills allowances, and clearer career pathways through structured career development plans. This ensures that as businesses become more productive, workers’ wages and career prospects also improve.
AI: Augmenting, Not Replacing, Jobs
A growing number of approved CTC projects—over 70 since 2022—are focused on Artificial Intelligence. NTUC Secretary-General Ng Chee Meng emphasized that the goal is not to replace jobs with AI, but to use it to “augment workers.” He stated that as new job roles emerge, training and job redesign will be crucial to keeping the workforce agile and competitive.
To this end, the NTUC has partnered with AI Singapore to create the AI Transformation Blueprint. This strategic framework helps businesses assess their readiness for AI and guides them in implementing these new technologies responsibly. Since its rollout, over 100 companies have already completed the assessment.
SBS Transit: A Case Study in Transformation
A prime example of a company leveraging the CTC grant is SBS Transit. The company is implementing an automated tire management system at its bus depots, which uses cameras and sensors with AI and machine-learning to perform quick and accurate inspections. This system is projected to save the company around S$200,000 annually by optimizing its workforce and reducing costs.
Crucially, the technology is also benefiting workers. It eliminates the need for manual inspections, enhancing safety, and frees up technicians to take on higher-value roles. Under the CTC grant, SBS Transit introduced a new “Diagnostic Expert” career scheme, which provides a structured career progression and enhanced wages for more than 50 workers, elevating the professional image of technicians in the sector.
Strong Government Backing for a Future-Ready Workforce
The CTC initiative, which has seen more than 3,600 committees formed since 2019, has strong support from the government. The government has committed S$100 million in funding in 2022 and pledged another S$200 million in Budget 2025 to support its expansion. This significant investment underscores a shared commitment to ensuring that Singapore’s workforce is well-prepared for the future of work.
