Mr. Marcus Lam, Executive Chairman and CEO, PwC Singapore;
Mr. Patrick Yeo, Markets Leader, PwC Singapore;
Ms. Jen Tan, CEO, EM Services;
Distinguished guests, partners and union leaders;
Ladies and gentlemen,
Opening
Thank you for joining us this afternoon at this important event – the MOU signing between NTUC and PwC Singapore.
I will share a little bit about why this is important not only for NTUC and PwC, but more importantly for Singapore, for businesses, for enterprises, and also for workers.
The Singapore Way – Tripartism
Last month, NTUC and PwC Singapore co-organised an Agentic AI workshop for one of the largest supermarkets in Singapore, FairPrice Group.
FairPrice Group is also a NTUC Queen Bee. The Queen Bee is a concept that NTUC developed after the Company Training Committee (CTC) initiative was launched, essentially leveraging large CTC companies like FairPrice Group to reach out to smaller companies and SMEs.
Twenty-seven companies took part in the workshop, including FairPrice Group’s SME suppliers and food manufacturers both from our union and industry networks.
Participants examined their operations and explored how AI can be used to create new value for them. PwC Singapore then shared practical use cases and starter AI solutions, and participants even had the chance to build an AI prototype or AI solution for themselves.
So while the companies are still refining their plans, and even considering how to adopt AI in their business, this illustrates how NTUC’s CTC model has evolved and is constantly evolving.
This is Singapore’s unique Tripartite way: businesses, technology partners, unions and government moving together towards an AI-driven economy.
At the heart of this approach is a simple belief: Singapore’s AI transition should and must create growth without leaving workers behind. We want businesses to become more productive and more competitive, while helping workers gain new skills and new jobs.
Many companies, especially SMEs, also told us that they cannot build these capabilities or bear every cost on their own, because it is tough for them. NTUC’s CTC model provides the partnerships and support they need to start and scale.
For companies here today who are keen to implement transformation projects, CTCs can support you both in your business transformation, as well as in your workforce development. The CTC Grant can co-fund up to 70% of qualifying project costs.
After the workshop, I was told that one of the companies is already exploring a project under the CTC Grant, thanks to the partnership between NTUC and PwC Singapore.
Start with the problem
So let me also briefly cover two thoughts about AI transformation. The first question is HOW?
Today’s theme also talks about how do we start to scale. How do companies, especially SMEs, even start thinking about how AI can help them?
I think we are at a point where everybody understands the need for and the usefulness of AI. The question now is really how.
From NTUC’s experience in supporting many companies on their transformation journeys, we find that the first step is often the hardest.
The first step is not just about getting companies to give all employees AI tools. I think that is easy.
What we find most useful is to always start with identifying the business problems. It is about understanding how AI can solve pain points, remove bottlenecks and create new value. The companies that succeed are often those that start with a core business challenge and determine how AI can help them.
To help companies take this first step, NTUC has launched a few initiatives, including the AI Readiness Tool and Operation & Technology Roadmap (OTR), to assess AI readiness, identify opportunities and develop practical transformation roadmaps.
Together with PwC's starter AI solutions and implementation expertise, companies on board can have practical pathways to begin their journey.
We will continue to work with Trade Associations and partners to organise workshops across different sectors in the coming years.
For companies that are just starting out, I encourage you to reach out and take that first step with us.
Scale with our People
The second point I want to make is that while taking the first step is important, transformation does not stop there.
As technologies are adopted, jobs and work processes must also change. Companies must also think about how workers can grow alongside the transformation and take on higher-value tasks.
Earlier, I learnt more about EM Services’ transformation journey, and it is very encouraging to see how they are already thinking about and adopting AI in their operations and business.
What stood out to me is not just how AI is being implemented, but that they are bringing workers along. They are ensuring their employees are trained, they are taking on new tasks and higher-value work, while AI creates more capacity for them because it can remove and replace repetitive tasks.
EM Services has worked closely with SMMWU and NTUC’s e2i to ensure workers are part of this transformation journey.
Ultimately, successful transformation is not measured by how much technology a company adopts. It is measured by whether businesses become stronger and workers are able to take on higher-value work with better wages and career prospects.
AI-Ready SG and Tripartite Jobs Council
Today’s MOU is more than just AI adoption. It is about helping companies move from ideas to implementation and from transformation plans to real outcomes.
Through NTUC’s AI-Ready SG initiative, we are building an ecosystem to help businesses and workers benefit from AI. As our latest Lead Multiplier, PwC Singapore brings practical expertise and solutions that complement NTUC’s workforce transformation support.
This partnership also contributes to the broader work of the Tripartite Jobs Council, which brings together Government, employers and the Labour Movement to help workers and enterprises thrive in the AI era.
As businesses embrace AI and transform, workers must have the opportunities, support and training to adapt and grow alongside these changes. Put simply, we want growth, but not jobless growth.
Closing
Today’s event is aptly called Start to Scale.
To the business leaders in the room, wherever you are on this journey, my encouragement is that we will start with a real business problem, focus on creating value, and bring your workers along with you.
In short: Start with the problem. Scale with your people.
Thank you, and have a good session.
