GovTech workforce transformation exercise retrenches 131 employees
On Thursday (22 Oct), the Government Technology Agency (GovTech) retrenched another 38 employees in the second phase of its two-year workforce transformation exercise, Business Times reported.
In July, when GovTech had around 3,900 employees, it laid off 93. The October round brings the total retrenched to 131.
The two-year restructuring was expected to affect between seven and nine per cent of its workforce; the most recent phase alone covers 250 officers.
Of this pool, 106 will remain in their current roles. Another 106 are eligible for conversion paths and apprenticeships to transition into new roles.
GovTech said the 38 officers leaving the agency primarily held roles focused on traditional project delivery.
Source: Google Maps
Internal company restructuring, shift to digital systems
GovTech said the three-phase restructuring supports its broader goal to “take greater ownership” of its digital products and services.
With the initial round of layoffs in July, GovTech chairman Chng Kai Fong emphasised that they were not downsizing to replace human labour with Artificial Intelligence (AI). Instead, the agency is shifting away from vendor-delivered projects to focus on developing critical digital systems in-house.
As with the first phase, we have prioritised retaining, retraining, and redeploying officers wherever possible.
GovTech said it expected to employ more people at the end of the transformation than before the exercise.
The officers undergoing apprenticeships are currently at different stages of the conversion pathway.
GovTech added that it would continue supporting them through the assessment and transition process.
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Source: The Red Marker
Support offered to retrenched workers
GovTech said retrenched officers would receive career coaching, job matching, and placement assistance. This includes helping them find career opportunities in both the public service and the private sector.
The agency would collaborate with the Public Service Division, the Skills and Workforce Development Agency, and the Amalgamated Union of Statutory Board Employees (AUSBE) to do so.
AUSBE stated on 22 Oct that the second phase of restructuring is expected to be completed by November.
The union said it had negotiated an enhanced support package for officers leaving GovTech, in addition to their existing agreement.
The union negotiated this package at the start of the restructuring exercise. The outlined benefits will apply to affected officers across all three phases.
Career coaches from NTUC’s Employment and Employability Institute were also on-site, providing job matching, career coaching, and skills-upgrading advice to affected officers.
They provided job matching, career coaching and skills-upgrading advice to the affected officers.
General secretary of AUSBE Gabriel Ng said: “It aims to provide greater assurance as they plan their next steps.”
AUSBE will continue to ensure that they are treated fairly and with dignity throughout the process.
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