Sembcorp's waste management arm partners with construction union to train workers

Some 700 SembWaste employees will undergo training programmes to keep up with industry transformation.

SembWaste, the waste management arm of Sembcorp Industries, and the Building Construction and Timber Industries Employees’ Union (BATU) have inked a partnership which will see both organisations working closely together to look at training gaps and needs for some 700 SembWaste employees, an announcement revealed.

Under its memorandum of understanding (MOU), SembWaste and BATU will set up a Company Training Committee (CTC) comprising union representatives and SembWaste management, with supporting partners, NTUC’s Employment and Employability Institute (e2i), NTUC LearningHub and the National University of Singapore.

The CTC will design employee training programmes to equip SembWaste employees with skills needed to keep up with industry transformation. This is said to be the first such initiative in Singapore’s waste management industry.

“Given the nature of the waste management sector, industry players have traditionally found it a challenge to draw local talent in Singapore. In particular, companies have found it difficult to attract locals to become waste collection truck drivers and crew members,” the parties said.

To overcome this, SembWaste has reportedly transformed its operations for greater safety, productivity and efficiency by investing in initiatives such as introducing Asia’s first Econic refuse collection truck. The truck is equipped with special features for enhanced safety and ease of use including visibility, a blind-spot camera system, as well as a low-entry concept allowing the driver to have direct eye contact with other road users around them.

With the formation of its CTC, both SembWaste and BATU will work together to address challenges, not just at the company level, but at the industry level too. SembWaste will also look into developing relevant training and refresher courses to ensure that all its workers are kept abreast with the latest technology and best practices to perform their jobs safely and effectively.