Forum: Address manpower needs in facilities management sector

Singapore’s facilities management (FM) sector faces a manpower challenge that deserves greater attention.

Many FM companies today struggle to recruit sufficient technical manpower for maintenance roles involving electrical systems, air-conditioning, plumbing, building services and equipment maintenance in occupied buildings. This challenge has become more acute as our building stock ages, and the demand for maintenance and asset management services continues to grow.

At present, there is no dedicated work-permit category specifically designed for facilities maintenance technicians. As a result, the industry often struggles to meet manpower needs while complying with sector-specific workforce requirements.

Facilities maintenance differs significantly from construction work. Construction is project-based and temporary, while maintenance is ongoing and operational, supporting hospitals, schools, offices, shopping centres, public housing and other critical infrastructure every day.

As an interim measure, the authorities could consider introducing a dedicated work-permit category for facilities maintenance and technical services. Such a framework would better reflect the nature of the work, provide greater regulatory clarity and help employers address immediate manpower shortages.

However, the long-term solution should focus on attracting more Singaporeans into the sector.

One possible approach is to extend the Progressive Wage Model (PWM) to FM technicians, similar to what has already been implemented successfully in sectors such as cleaning, security, landscaping, waste management and lift maintenance.

PWM has demonstrated that it is possible to improve wages while raising productivity through structured career pathways, mandatory training and continuous skills upgrading.

A similar framework for FM technicians could provide clearer career progression, better wages, stronger technical competencies and a more professional image for the industry.

Singapore already invests heavily in developing technical talent through the ITE, polytechnics, Workforce Skills Qualifications programmes and SkillsFuture initiatives. Yet many graduates do not remain in the sector because wages and career prospects are often perceived to be less attractive. This is a missed opportunity.

In an age where artificial intelligence is reshaping many white-collar occupations, skilled technical trades remain indispensable. The question is not whether Singapore needs these jobs, but how we make them attractive enough for Singaporeans to choose them.

Jeffrey Chua Leong Chuan