SINGAPORE (Bernama): Singapore will expedite the hiring of foreign construction workers from China and Thailand by scrapping the mandatory pre-entry Skills Evaluation Certificate (Knowledge) (SEC(K)) from January 2027.
The Building and Construction Authority (BCA) said firms will be allowed to bring in new construction work permit holders (WPHs) first and obtain the certificate after arrival in the Republic.
The agency said new construction WPHs must pass the SEC(K) in Singapore within one year of work permit issuance to be eligible for renewals from January 2028 onwards.
"This enhancement will significantly reduce hiring timelines to bring in new construction WPHs to Singapore, from the current four months to about one month, while maintaining the quality of new workers.
"It will also provide greater flexibility for firms to conduct on-the-job training that best meets their projects’ needs," it said in a statement on Thursday.
BCA noted that the new process was introduced as part of pro-enterprise measures to accelerate the transformation of the Built Environment sector.
-- BERNAMA
