Local Support For Singapore Food Produce Encourages Move Into Agritech Careers

• 97% of
  survey respondents are supportive of the development of Agritech in Singapore
• 64% of
  respondents who are currently not employed in Agritech are open to starting a
  career or making a switch to the industry. 98% of them are interested in
  receiving training to develop the necessary skillsets and knowledge to work in
  the industry.
• However,
  81% are unaware of where they can receive the relevant training.

SINGAPORE
– Media OutReach – 15 June 2021 – As
the economy continues to recover, growth industries — such as agriculture
technology, or Agritech, – are picking up pace. With most (89%) Singaporeans believing
that the local Agritech industry will
continue to grow within the next two to three years, two thirds (64%) of jobseekers
who are currently not employed in Agritech are open to starting a career or
making a switch to the industry.

These
are some of the key findings NTUC LearningHub (NTUC LHUB)’s recent Industry
Insights 2021 survey on Agritech, conducted in March 2021 with 300 professionals
and job seekers in Singapore.

In
light of the COVID-19 pandemic, 97% of the respondents agree that it is more
important now to develop key areas for Singapore’s self-sufficiency in terms of
food supply. In addition, despite three in five (61%) agreeing that local
produce is priced higher that imported ones, 71% are willing to pay more for local
produce to support the industry if it translates to higher salaries and better
job prospects for employees involved.

In
terms of career opportunities, nine in ten (89%) of respondents who are
currently not employed in the Agritech agree that it is a promising industry
when it comes to career growth and development. In fact, more than half (64%) are
open to starting a career or making a switch to Agritech. Most of them (98%)
are interested in receiving training to develop the necessary skillsets and
knowledge if given the opportunity. However, four in five (81%) are unaware of where
they can receive the relevant training.

“With
considerable private and government investments into Singapore’s Agritech
industry, this is an opportune time for those keen on joining the sector to contribute
greatly to our nation’s goal towards food security and sustainability. It is an
emerging sector, which from the survey results, we can see that there is a promising
buy-in from the general population. This motivation will encourage more from
our local workforce to take on relevant skills and knowledge to drive the Agritech
industry,” says Eugene Wong, Chairman of NTUC LHUB.

In its
latest collaboration, NTUC LHUB partners Netatech to offer a new course in
Agriculture Technology. The homegrown company is the sole exclusive distributor
for Netafim in Singapore, the global leader in precision irrigation solutions
for sustainable agriculture. Farm technology and automation are some of the key
skills that will be imparted to those who are looking to venture into this
emerging sector.

Commenting
on the partnership, Tay Ee Learn, Director of Technical Skills Product
Division, NTUC LHUB says, “We are encouraged by both the overwhelming response
in our SG United Skills (SGUS) Programme on Digital Agritech, and the ongoing
interest displayed by our trainees in entering the Agritech field. This is
owing to the exciting opportunities in a burgeoning industry, appealing to job
seekers at any career stage. Driven also by the social aspect of supporting the
nation’s sustainability agenda, NTUC LHUB will continue our efforts to develop
in this space. Partnering with best-in-class experts such as Netatech, we aim
to boost the employability of our trainees with the necessary skills and
expertise in Agritech.”

“Food is involved in many
supply chains and wholesale, supermarket, food production, and medical
industries. Urban farms require Agronomists, R&D specialists, IT experts,
mechanical engineers, supply chain managers, business development managers, and
more. This an opportunity to reinvent what a farm could look like, where more
can take on ‘green-collar jobs.’ Food is a fundamental need, so there will not
be any shortage of industry demands, but we need our local community to farm.
If we don’t have that, we can’t do it,” says David Tan, founder of Netatech.

To
download the Industry Insights 2021 Report on Agritech, visit www.ntuclearninghub.com/agritech-2021.
Find out more about the courses, training and grants, contact NTUC LearningHub
at https://www.ntuclearninghub.com/
.