Singapore Government accepts recommendations by tripartite workgroup to strengthen human capital capability

28 October 2026

The Tripartite Workgroup on Human Capital Capability Development (“TWG-HC”) has released its report putting forth five recommendations to strengthen human capital capability across the Singapore economy. Through the five recommendations, the TWG-HC aspires to benefit more than two million workers, support at least 2,000 enterprises, and build the capabilities of 20,000 human resource (“HR”) professionals and people leaders.

The Singapore Government has accepted all five recommendations and will work closely with the National Trades Union Congress (“NTUC”), the Singapore National Employers Federation (“SNEF”), and industry stakeholders on their implementation. Among other things, from 1 July 2028, organisations with more than 200 employees will be required to have at least one certified HR professional.

As AI becomes more widely used in hiring and other employment decisions, tripartite partners recommend developing guidance on responsible AI use in recruitment, including the processes and safeguards employers should put in place to ensure that employment decisions remain fair and merit based. The TWG-HC was convened in February 2025 by the Ministry of Manpower (“MOM”), NTUC, and SNEF (“tripartite partners”) to address trends that are reshaping work and workplaces, including how AI is reshaping jobs and how work is done, and an ageing workforce.

The five recommendations are set out below:

  • Make opportunity at work more visible: The TWG-HC recommends making the Singapore Opportunity Index (“SOI”) a national benchmark for opportunities that employers create using verified administrative data. The SOI enables workers to make more informed career decisions and employers to better evaluate the impact of their human capital strategies. Tripartite partners and industry partners will provide advisory services and resources to help enterprises understand their SOI reports and strengthen their human capital strategies.
  • Help businesses plan for workforce transformation: SNEF and the Institute for Human Resource Professionals (“IHRP”) will provide a range of practical guides and real-world showcases that help firms anticipate and plan for workforce transformation as part of their enterprise transformation plans. For small and medium-sized enterprise (“SMEs”) that may not have dedicated strategic HR expertise in-house, IHRP is piloting a model that matches participating SMEs with experienced HR leaders on a part-time, embedded basis.
  • Help enterprises use AI effectively and responsibly in HR: As AI becomes more widely used in hiring and other employment decisions, the tripartite partners recommend developing guidance on responsible AI use in recruitment, including the processes and safeguards employers should put in place to ensure that employment decisions remain fair and merit based. Towards this end, the tripartite partners will introduce a new People-centred AI Transformation for HR (PATH) initiative comprising (i) AI starter kits that package AI solutions with practical implementation guidance, consultancy, training, and funding support for enterprises to implement AI for high-impact HR use cases; (ii) more accredited training programmes; and (iii) a playbook to help HR professionals navigate the AI transformation journey, to be released in the first quarter of 2027.
  • Professionalise HR practice by establishing a trusted baseline: The TWG-HC recommends that organisations with more than 200 employees have at least one suitable HR professional who is an IHRP Certified Professional (“IHRP-CP”).
  • Develop people leaders for the future: The Human Capital Leadership Institute is designing a human capital leadership development programme designed for senior HR and people leaders. The programme will equip them with the capabilities, resources, and support network to develop next-generation enterprises.

The Government has accepted all five recommendations put forth by the TWG-HC.

From 1 July 2028, organisations with more than 200 employees will be required to have at least one HR professional certified at the IHRP-CP level or higher. This will enable firms to create progressive workplaces and good jobs, and also help firms to prepare for the roll-out of the Workplace Fairness Act 2025 and changes to the Employment Act 1968.

Firms with 200 or fewer employees will satisfy this requirement if their HR professionals hold equivalent certifications from other international HR professional bodies that are recognised by IHRP and meet any prescribed bridging requirements. The Government also provides significant subsidies for Singapore residents to undertake IHRP certification.

Reference materials

The following materials are available on the websites of MOM www.mom.gov.sg and SG Press Centre www.sgpc.gov.sg:

More information on the TWG-HC report and the recommendations is available here.