Forum: Integrated facilities management designed to uplift sector

We thank Jeffrey Chua Leong Chuan for his letters “Review how integrated facilities management contracts are implemented” (May 29) and “Address manpower needs in facilities management sector” (June 12). We value feedback from him and the industry to refine our policies and practices. 

Singapore’s built environment faces growing complexity driven by a growing and ageing building stock, rising maintenance expectations and tight manpower constraints. To transform the built environment sector, in 2021, the Building and Construction Authority (BCA), alongside other government agencies, the private sector and unions, identified integrated facilities management (IFM) as a key enabler for uplifting the facilities management (FM) industry. 

IFM goes beyond contract aggregation – it is about better integration of operations, workflows and data across multiple services and system. This is particularly beneficial for larger or more complex portfolios, as it can generate productivity gains, improve service delivery and reduce reliance on manpower.

Government IFM tenders have continued to attract a healthy number of bidders. Over the past three years, over 95 per cent of tenders received at least three bids, and close to a third attracted over eight bidders, with a good spread of contracts of various sizes, providing opportunities for firms of all sizes.

BCA will continue to engage industry stakeholders to ensure contracting structures support healthy competition and help aspiring and existing IFM firms continue to build up capabilities.

We also share Chua’s views that sustaining and strengthening the FM workforce is critical. To this end, IFM enables FM firms to build scale and invest in more advanced technologies and digitalisation. This will give rise to higher-skilled, technology-enabled roles, elevating the prestige of FM and making it more attractive to local talent.

BCA has been working closely with stakeholders, such as the Singapore International Facility Management Association, to put in place skills frameworks and accreditation schemes like the certified facility manager executive scheme to provide structured career pathways for FM practitioners. We regularly review these frameworks to ensure they reflect the sector’s evolving demands.

To promote FM as a rewarding career choice, BCA is expanding its outreach to students and mid-career switchers, while forging closer partnerships between industry and institutes of higher learning in areas such as curriculum reviews to meet industry needs.

Ang Kian Seng
Group Director, Environmental Sustainability
Building and Construction Authority