NTUC and SkillsFuture Singapore partner FairPrice Group to upskill 1,000 workers across SME supplier network

The National Trades Union Congress (NTUC), SkillsFuture Singapore (SSG) and FairPrice Group (FPG) signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) today to support business and workforce transformation across FPG’s supplier network of Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs), uplifting up to 1,000 SME workers in key areas such as automation, leadership development, and workplace safety.

Under the three-year MOU, FPG will be appointed as a SkillsFuture Queen Bee. In this role, FPG is committed to uplift the capabilities of its suppliers, particularly SMEs, through skills development, business advisory and safety promotion. NTUC will also work closely with FPG to explore the Cluster Company Training Committee (CTC) initiative, aimed at further accelerating sector-wide transformation.

Through this tripartite collaboration, SMEs will benefit from integrated support that combines SSG's training initiatives and subsidies, NTUC's transformation consultancy and funding through the NTUC CTC Grant, and FPG’s industry expertise and network. This comprehensive approach provides SMEs with end-to-end support to address their business challenges and upskill their workforce.

The MOU was signed by Ms Toh Hwee Tin, Supervising Lead, NTUC Hospitality and Consumer Business Cluster; Mr Tan Tow Koon, Group Director, Communications and Engagement Group, SkillsFuture Singapore; and Ms Sylvia Lai, Senior Director, Human Resources, FairPrice Group. The signing ceremony was witnessed by NTUC Secretary-General Mr Ng Chee Meng, SSG Chief Executive Mr Tan Kok Yam and FPG Group Chief Executive Mr Vipul Chawla.

NTUC Secretary-General Mr Ng Chee Meng said, “As a purpose-driven enterprise under NTUC, FairPrice Group plays a vital role in improving the lives of Singaporeans – from ensuring access to affordable essentials, to supporting good jobs and uplifting communities. The MOU signed today will help FairPrice Group to uplift its network of suppliers and drive transformation across the wholesale trade and retail sector. As the sector evolves with the rise of AI and automation, NTUC will help our workers adapt to these changes and equip them with the skills, confidence, and opportunities to thrive in the future economy.”

FairPrice Group, a unionised company with the Food, Drinks and Allied Workers Union (FDAWU), embarked on a CTC Grant project in 2024 to upskill workers at its Benoi Distribution Centre (BNDC). The initiative supported BNDC’s transition to an integrated automated distribution centre, ensuring that workers are equipped with the skills needed to meet evolving operational demands.

Over a 12-week workforce transformation engagement, BNDC successfully standardised over 60 processes, strengthened internal communications, and implemented enhanced workplace safety protocols. These outcomes were achieved through a ground-up approach, with experienced workers empowered to lead change by actively sharing knowledge and transferring skills to their peers through workshops and on-the-floor coaching. This fostered a culture of continuous learning and collaboration, while also building confidence and leadership capabilities among workers. Together, these improvements laid the foundation for a more agile and efficient workforce, with productivity gains passed on to workers in the form of wage increments and/or Career Development Plans.

These improvements also created a safer and more predictable work environment for workers. With the adoption of predictive maintenance and improved processes, workers at BNDC now experience greater clarity and consistency in their daily tasks. This project has resulted in higher productivity, safety and operational outcomes at the distribution centre, fostering a motivating work environment for the workers, built around collective ownership. The efficiencies enabled more balanced workloads, contributing to reduced fatigue and enhanced well-being for workers.

As a key distribution centre for FPG’s operations, BNDC functions as a backbone for the company's supply chain resilience. The operational enhancements achieved not only significantly boosted delivery efficiency to FairPrice supermarkets, but also ensured greater stability and security in the product pipeline.

Combining Industry Expertise with Academia to Ensure Quality Support

Building on the success of its CTC Grant project, FPG plans to cascade these best practices across its own distribution centres. Recognising that workplace safety, work predictability and operational efficiency are common challenges across the wholesale trade and retail sector, FPG has also committed to working with NTUC and SkillsFuture Singapore under the newly-signed MOU to share its learnings with up to 1,000 workers across its supplier network over a three-year period. This collaborative approach aims to uplift sector-wide standards, improve working conditions, and foster sustainable business transformation.

As a start, NTUC will engage FPG and its network of suppliers to conduct a Sector Operations Technology Roadmap (OTR) to jointly identify common pain points and challenges faced by the sector, and co-create targeted and scalable interventions to address them. These may include customised training solutions jointly developed with the Institutes of Higher Learning or CTC Grant-supported transformation projects.

Leveraging its insights and influence within the sector, FPG will thereafter engage its suppliers to embark on transformation projects that enhance both worker and business outcomes. These projects may tap on the NTUC CTC Grant, which co-funds up to 70 per cent of qualifying cost for transformation projects or training tied to the transformation project to raise productivity, redesign jobs, and improve work prospects. These efforts will enable workers among FPG’s suppliers to benefit from better wages, career development plans and/or skills allowances.

These initiatives not only support individual growth and well-being, but also align with the national SkillsFuture movement, promoting continuous learning and workforce resilience across the sector.

SkillsFuture Singapore Chief Executive, Mr Tan Kok Yam said, “We are pleased to welcome FairPrice Group as our newest SkillsFuture Queen Bee. Leveraging their extensive network and deep industry expertise, FairPrice Group will be enable us to connect with more SMEs across the Wholesale Trade and Retail sectors. Through this tripartite partnership with NTUC and FairPrice Group, we seek to empower SMEs with the capabilities they need to thrive, and to build a more resilient and skilled workforce.”

FairPrice Group CEO Mr Vipul Chawla said, “Our commitment as Singapore's largest retailer extends far beyond our aisles. As a NTUC impact business and now SkillsFuture Queen Bee, we are uniting our partners and suppliers to champion industry transformation and growth. By sharing our experience, influence, and resources, we are driving systemic change, not just through upskilling, but by actively creating clearer career pathways and better work prospects across the entire retail ecosystem. We do this because our purpose is simple: to make every day better for all in Singapore, securing a resilient supply chain and a brighter, more fulfilling professional future for our people.”