Secondment of Public Officers to Trade Associations
Ministry of Trade and IndustrySpeakers
Summary
This question concerns the plan to second up to 20 public officers to Trade Associations and Chambers (TACs) and the status of $30 million for capability development, as raised by Mr Thomas Chua Kee Seng. Senior Minister of State Ms Sim Ann stated that eight LEAD+ projects totaling up to $8.1 million were approved by March 2017 to enhance TAC competencies. She noted that 13 public officers have been seconded to TACs since 2013, with two additional officers confirmed under LEAD+ to assist with management and governance frameworks. These secondments aim to drive industry transformation by strengthening internal processes and secretariat teams within associations such as the Singapore Food Manufacturers' Association. The Senior Minister of State affirmed that more TACs are expected to join the programme to improve their service delivery and organizational capabilities.
Transcript
13 Mr Thomas Chua Kee Seng asked the Minister for Trade and Industry (Industry) if he can provide a progress update on (i) the plan to second up to 20 public officers to interested Trade Associations and Chambers (TACs) under the Local Enterprise and Association Development-Plus programme and (ii) the status of the $30 million that was set aside in Budget 2016 to support TACs to develop their capabilities.
The Senior Minister of State for Trade and Industry (Ms Sim Ann) (for the Minister for Trade and Industry (Industry)): The Local Enterprise and Association Development-Plus (LEAD+) programme was introduced at Budget 2016 to help Trade Associations and Chambers (TACs) raise their internal competencies. Through LEAD+ projects, TACs can strengthen their leadership and secretariat teams, improve organisational processes, and deliver new and value-added services to their members. The LEAD+ programme is an expansion of the existing LEAD programme, which supports TACs in implementing industry initiatives.
As of March 2017, the Standards, Productivity and Innovation Board (SPRING) has approved eight LEAD+ projects, at up to $8.1 million in total funding. These projects are spearheaded by the Federation of Merchants' Associations, Singapore (FMAS), Singapore Food Manufacturers' Association (SFMA), Singapore Infocomm Technology Federation (SiTF), Singapore Logistics Association (SLA), Singapore Manufacturing Federation (SMF), Singapore Precision Engineering and Technology Association (SPETA), Singapore Furniture Industries Council (SFIC) and Restaurant Association of Singapore (RAS). We expect more TACs to be coming on board over the next few years.
Under LEAD+, support is available for the secondment of public officers to TACs to help strengthen their management and processes as well as drive industry transformation. Efforts to second public officers to TACs are not new. Over the past five years, SPRING has been active in seconding officers to TACs on a project basis, to drive implementation of key programmes, such as the small and medium enterprises (SME) Talent Programme and SME Centres. Under this arrangement, 13 officers have been seconded since 2013.
Since the launch of LEAD+ in 2016, two more officers have confirmed their secondment with TACs. For example, one officer from SPRING has been seconded to SFMA to assist them in strengthening their internal management capabilities. This includes developing a succession plan for leadership renewal, putting in place systems to better engage and manage members, and enhancing the existing governance framework. We will continue to facilitate more of such win-win secondment arrangements for interested TACs.