~ New Tripartite Jobs Council to help workers upskill, support business transformation, and redesign jobs amid AI disruption ~
The Ministry of Manpower (MOM), National Trades Union Congress (NTUC), and Singapore National Employers Federation (SNEF) announced their intent to form a Tripartite Jobs Council (TJC). The TJC is their tripartite commitment to support workers and businesses through the artificial intelligence (AI) transition with concrete actions.
As AI continues to reshape industries, realign business operations and redefine job roles, the tripartite partners recognise the urgency for coordinated action to address the impact of AI. While AI presents opportunities for productivity gains and creation of new job roles, it also brings about challenges and concerns over widening skills gaps.
The TJC, initiated by NTUC, will support and build on the tripartite partners’ respective efforts and programmes, and complement the Government’s efforts under the National AI Council to drive Singapore’s AI agenda. The Council’s objective is to ensure workers and businesses are well-positioned to benefit from AI-driven transformation, while managing transitions in a fair and inclusive manner. This will be achieved through a comprehensive and coordinated tripartite approach in the following key areas:
a. Coordinated support for enterprise workforce transformation in tandem with AI adoption;
b. Broad-based and sectoral training for workers, as well as targeted transition support for at-risk worker segments and occupations to facilitate timely transitions; and
c. Building public awareness of AI and encouraging take-up of initiatives.
The TJC will enable tripartite partners to scale outreach, accelerate policy implementation and help direct resources to where they are needed most. This will better support employers in responsible AI adoption and strengthen AI readiness and job security for workers.
Minister for Manpower Dr Tan See Leng said, “The Tripartite Jobs Council represents our collective commitment to translate AI’s potential into good jobs for Singaporeans. By harnessing the combined reach and capabilities of our unions, employers, and the Government, we will help every worker maximise their potential, and every business can thrive by bringing out the best in their people.”
NTUC Secretary-General (SG) Mr Ng Chee Meng said, “AI is changing the way we work, and it is critical that our workers are not left behind. The Tripartite Jobs Council can bring together and scale tripartite capabilities under one roof as we take collective action to stand with workers of all collars, especially PMEs and youths. TJC is our steadfast commitment to support workers, equip them with relevant skills, and ensure they benefit from new opportunities in the AI-enabled economy.”
SNEF President Mr Tan Hee Teck said, “AI is developing at a tremendous pace untouched by past technological shifts and will have wide and deep impact on businesses across the world. It is critical that we continue to strengthen business competitiveness by helping employers navigate this transformation and seize new opportunities arising from AI, while building a workforce that is able to leverage AI effectively for productivity gains. The TJC efforts will focus on making sure that sustainable growth for businesses and good jobs for workers go hand-in-hand.”
This announcement comes in the lead-up to May Day, underscoring the Labour Movement’s enduring commitment to stand with workers through change. The formation of the TJC, signals a renewed and forward-looking pledge by the tripartite partners to safeguard livelihoods while harnessing new technologies. It reflects a shared belief that Singapore’s progress must be anchored on better workers, better businesses, and better jobs. These commitments are also reflected in the tripartite partners’ May Day 2026 Messages.
The tripartite partners will share more details on the TJC’s composition and plans in the coming months.
Increased Support for Workers and Businesses
Support for workers
The Government is stepping up its efforts to help Singaporeans build practical AI skills. First, SkillsFuture Singapore (SSG) will introduce a simple-to-use self-diagnostic tool to help individuals understand their current level of AI readiness. Second, SSG will curate high-quality courses according to workers’ AI-readiness levels and highlight those with proven training outcomes and employer demand. Third, the Government will provide free access for six months to premium versions of AI tools for those who take up selected SkillsFuture AI courses. This can help workers build their AI fluency and use AI tools effectively in their domain. IMDA will expand the TechSkills Accelerator programme to develop AI bilingual workers, starting with the accountancy and legal professionals.
NTUC announced an expansion of its support for members to enable greater access to AI tools. From 1 May 2026 to 30 April 2028, NTUC members will be able to utilise their Union Training Assistance Programme (UTAP) benefits to subscribe to selected AI tools. The list of eligible AI tools will be reviewed regularly to ensure relevance to members and includes tools that enhance productivity and support work functions such as content creation and writing, software development and digital marketing. The initiative lowers cost barriers to accessing technology and complements NTUC’s ongoing efforts to equip workers to be AI-ready, strengthening their adaptability in an evolving job landscape.
Under the NTUC AI-Ready SG initiative, NTUC LearningHub (NTUC LHUB) also designed a comprehensive AI learning framework to support workers. Under this framework, individuals can embark on the AI Skills Pathway that best suits their needs and level of AI readiness. Thereafter, they can take up corresponding AI courses, which were developed in line with the Government’s skills frameworks and in consultation with employers, unions, industry leaders, and educational institutions. Over 4,000 workers have enrolled for AI training courses since the launch of the NTUC AI-Ready SG initiative in February this year.
Support for businesses
The Government has announced the Enterprise Workforce Transformation Package (EWTP) to provide support for companies to embark on workforce transformation. One key component of EWTP is the SkillsFuture Workforce Development Grant (Job Redesign+) (WDG(JR+)). The newly introduced grant will provide enterprises with funding support for job redesign project costs, capped at $150,000 per company. This will help companies to tackle key challenges in job redesign, such as reskilling, effective AI adoption, and capability building.
SNEF, as an appointed anchor programme partner for the EWTP, has in-house business advisors who will focus on helping employers understand AI’s potential to transform the business and improve productivity. For many employers, the prerequisite for AI adoption is having a good analysis and understanding of their own operational processes and then identifying how AI could enhance and enable these operations. Through such a journey, employers will be able to undertake the necessary job redesign, with the help of consultants if necessary, and concurrently embark on AI training for their workers.
SNEF will play the convenor role to bring together the various partners, from business advisors to job redesign consultants and training providers to provide holistic support to employers. SNEF will also partner closely with NTUC to ensure that employers are matched to the appropriate programmes that meet their needs, be it the EWTP or the Company Training Committee (CTC).
