NP Impact

As organisations adopt AI and redesign work, success depends not just on technology, but how well people are supported through change. With SkillsFuture funding support of up to S$150,000 available, now is the time to find out how your organisation can embark on human-first transformation

(From left) Mr William Lim, Director of Ngee Ann Polytechnic’s School of Business & Accountancy; Dr Janil Puthucheary, Senior Minister of State, Ministry of Education and Ministry of Sustainability and the Environment; Mr Lim Kok Kiang, Principal and CEO of Ngee Ann Polytechnic; and Mr Samir Bedi, EY Asean People Consulting Leader and Singapore Government & Public Sector Leader, at the official launch of the Centre for Shaping Human-First Transformation (SH1F+)

Across industries, organisations are investing heavily in AI, automation and digital transformation. Yet many are discovering that technology alone does not drive change. The greatest value from AI comes from how work is redesigned around it. That means rethinking roles, building new capabilities and helping employees navigate new ways of working with confidence.

To help organisations navigate these challenges, Ngee Ann Polytechnic (NP) has launched SH1F+ (Centre for Shaping Human-First Transformation), a workforce transformation initiative focused on how people experience and respond to change.

Speaking at the launch in July, Guest of Honour Dr Janil Puthucheary, Senior Minister of State for Education and Sustainability & the Environment, observed that the real challenge for organisations is often not about adopting new technology, but helping people adapt to new roles, behaviours and ways of working. Successful workforce transformation, he noted, requires organisations to build confidence, develop new habits and create the conditions for people to learn and grow through change.



A Human-First Approach to Workforce Transformation
Many workforce transformation efforts focus on technology, systems and processes. SH1F+ starts with people.

Firstly, its proprietary Sandbox workforce transformation toolkit enables leaders, managers and employees to assess current capabilities, explore future scenarios and align transformation strategies with business priorities. Employees are actively involved in identifying emerging skills, shaping redesigned roles and preparing for new ways of working.

Secondly, once workforce needs have been identified, SH1F+ works with organisations to build the competencies, mindsets and confidence employees need to thrive in redesigned roles and evolving work environments. SH1F+ does this by drawing on NP’s ecosystem of signature centres with expertise in behavioural science, human-centred design, organisational resilience and workplace well-being.

Through a collaboration with Ernst & Young Advisory Pte. Ltd. (EY), NP will combine its expertise with EY’s consulting capabilities and industry experience to deliver and support organisations with end-to-end workforce transformation.

Eligible organisations working with SH1F+ may also tap the SkillsFuture Workforce Development Grant (Job Redesign+), which provides funding support of up to 70% for SMEs and 50% for non-SMEs, capped at S$150,000 per enterprise. In addition, organisations may also be eligible for other funding schemes, including the Mentorship Support Grant (MSG).

Transformation in Action
SH1F+ is already helping organisations turn workforce transformation into tangible outcomes.

Through UOB's Better U Pivot Programme, NP is supporting up to 500 employees transitioning into evolving roles through skills mapping, structured training, personalised coaching and workplace learning. Early participants have successfully moved into new roles while continuing to build capabilities in areas such as AI and automation.

Murata Electronics Singapore has also partnered NP to redesign and standardise its New Business Architect role across six countries. Through a structured capability development framework embedded in workplace projects, employees developed future-ready skills while supporting the company's regional growth ambitions.

"Our partnership with Ngee Ann Polytechnic has enabled us to develop future-ready talent while strengthening our organisation's ability to adapt to evolving industry needs and drive regional business growth," said Mr DM Venkatesan, General Manager, Regional New Business Development at Murata Electronics Singapore.

Explore how SH1F+ can support your workforce transformation journey at www.np.edu.sg/shift.