Singapore, 1 April 2025 – The Institute for Human Resource Professionals (IHRP), National Trades Union Congress (NTUC), and NTUC’s e2i (Employment and Employability Institute) signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) today at the inaugural “Future of Tripartism: Collaborating for Collective Growth” event.

The closed-door session brought together Business and HR leaders as well as senior HR professionals for a high-impact discussion on the principles, significance, and strategic advantages of tripartism in Singapore. The event was graced by NTUC Secretary-General Mr. Ng Chee Meng, as Guest-of-Honour.

IHRP’s Collaboration With Tripartite Partners To Uplift Human Capital

The MOU was formally signed by Mr. Aslam Sardar, Chief Executive Officer (CEO), IHRP; Mr. Tan Chee Wee, Director, Industry Training and Transformation (IT&T), NTUC; and Ms. Caryn Lim, Chief Executive Officer, e2i. The MOU exchange between Ms. Shirley Lim, Deputy Chief Executive Officer (CEO), IHRP; Mr. Damian Lim, Deputy Director, Industry Training and Transformation (IT&T), NTUC; and Mr. Gary Goh, Deputy CEO, e2i, was witnessed by IHRP’s CEO Mr. Aslam Sardar and NTUC Deputy Secretary-General Mr. Desmond Tan.

The MOU aims to promote progressive human capital practices and workforce transformation by leveraging the networks and resources of all three organisations. Key objectives include promoting upskilling and reskilling of HR professionals, advocating for job redesign, and enhancing business capabilities across Singapore’s workforce.

“This partnership represents a new chapter in Singapore’s tripartite journey,” said Mr. Aslam Sardar, CEO of IHRP. “IHRP will leverage its extensive network of partners and industry stakeholders to drive the adoption of progressive HR practices through engagement with NTUC and e2i’s programmes. This includes deploying tools such as the Human Capital Diagnostic Tool and the upcoming Job Redesign Evaluation Tool to help businesses optimise their workforce strategies. Furthermore, IHRP will continue to advocate for the recognition of IHRP Certification and skills badges as industry benchmarks, reinforcing the importance of professional development in HR excellence. By combining our strengths, we can create more impactful solutions for businesses and workers alike.”

NTUC Secretary-General Ng Chee Meng said, “Singapore’s tripartite model is our strength and strategy, as it brings businesses, unions, and the Government together to navigate challenges and seize opportunities. HR professionals play a vital role in building a future-ready workforce—one that is skilled, adaptable, and drives business success. This partnership highlights the need for continuous learning, job redesign, and workforce transformation to uplift workers while keeping businesses competitive. By working together and building trust, we can create a future where both workers and businesses thrive. NTUC stands ready to support HR professionals on this journey.”

Driving Meaningful Change In The Workforce Landscape

IHRP, NTUC, and e2i will work together to identify and develop strategic platforms and initiatives to promote IHRP Certifications and Work Transformation efforts, including programmes under e2i and NTUC’s Company Training Committees (CTCs). By integrating their respective programmes into each other’s strategic initiatives, they will enhance synergy and maximise impact for businesses and HR professionals.

“Our MOU with IHRP will empower companies across sectors with access to resources that promote business productivity and workforce transformation, as well as learn the best practices in inclusive hiring. Besides job matching services and placement programmes, companies can leverage the Company Training Committee Grant managed by NTUC’s e2i to redesign jobs, upskill workers, and upgrade overall enterprise capabilities,” shared Ms Caryn Lim, Chief Executive Officer of NTUC’s e2i.

A key focus of this partnership is to champion the adoption of Tripartite Guidelines and Standards, reinforcing best practices that support workplace excellence and business transformation. The three parties will also actively engage with companies, including NTUC’s network of CTC companies, to participate in the IHRP Corporate Partner Programme. Through this initiative, IHRP will assess corporate needs and connect them with relevant e2i services to enhance their workforce capabilities.

The MOU will enable companies that have formed CTCs with NTUC to access IHRP’s products and services. Companies who are embarking on workforce and workplace transformation can leverage NTUC’s Operations and Technology Roadmap to identify HR workstreams where IHRP’s products and services can offer the most impactful and targeted assistance in their transformation journey.

Additionally, companies can also utilise IHRP’s Human Capital Diagnostic Tool (HCDT) to evaluate priority areas. The complimentary, online self-assessment is designed for organisations of all sizes and provides a tailored report with actionable recommendations to enhance HR effectiveness and drive business outcomes in approximately 30 minutes. Companies can begin the self-assessment via https://lnkd.in/gks-xdAR or express interest and learn more about HCDT here: https://ihrp.sg/hcdt-overview/.

Collaborating For Growth

The event also featured a keynote address by Mr. Sunil Puri, Senior Vice President, Research and Engagement at Stewardship Asia Centre, who introduced the concept of Steward Leadership and discussed its connection to tripartism. Mr. Puri highlighted how embracing stewardship values and a shared purpose of the greater good and fosters collaboration among key stakeholders such as governments, employers, and unions.

In a fireside chat with NTUC Secretary-General Ng Chee Meng, participants explored the changing dynamics of tripartism and its implications for businesses, workers, and HR professionals. The discussion emphasised tripartism as a competitive advantage, the importance of collaboration, and the focus on preparing Singapore’s workforce for the future economy.

The “Future of Tripartism” event marks a significant step forward in strengthening Singapore’s unique tripartite model, which has been a cornerstone of the nation’s economic success and social stability.

About Institute for Human Resource Professionals (IHRP)

The Institute for Human Resource Professionals (IHRP) is set up by the tripartite partners: the Ministry of Manpower (MOM), the National Trades Union Congress (NTUC) and Singapore National Employers Federation (SNEF) to professionalise and strengthen the HR practice in Singapore.

IHRP sets the benchmark standards of excellence for HR and human capital development in organisations. Through a range of national human capital programmes such as the IHRP Certification, Human Capital Diagnostic Tool and IHRP Knowledge Partner Programme and appointed as the Job Design Centre of Excellence, IHRP aims to develop HR as a strategic enabler of business and workforce transformation and foster a vibrant HR services eco-system to drive innovation and change. For more information, please visit ihrp.sg

About the National Trades Union Congress (NTUC)

The National Trades Union Congress (NTUC) is a national confederation of trade unions as well as a network of professional associations and partners across all sectors in Singapore. NTUC’s objectives are to help Singapore stay competitive and working people remain employable for life; to enhance the social status and well-being of our members and working people; and to build a strong, responsible and caring labour movement. NTUC’s vision is to be an inclusive labour movement for all collars, ages and nationalities. NTUC is at the heart of the Labour Movement, which comprises 58 affiliated unions, seven affiliated associations, a portfolio of businesses and six related organisations, as well as a growing ecosystem of professional associations and enterprise partners. For more details, visit www.ntuc.org.sg.

About e2i 

e2i is the empowering network for workers and employers seeking employment and employability solutions. e2i serves as a bridge between workers and employers, connecting with workers to offer job security through job-matching, career guidance and skills upgrading services, and partnering employers to address their manpower needs through recruitment, training and job redesign solutions. e2i is a tripartite initiative of the National Trades Union Congress set up to support nation-wide manpower and skills upgrading initiatives. For more information, please visit www.e2i.com.sg.