Implementation of Progressive Wage Model for Landscape Sector to Enhance Skills, Career Progression & Standards

1. The Government has considered and accepted the recommendations from the Tripartite Cluster for the Landscape Industry (TCL) on the Progressive Wage Model (PWM) for the landscape sector. The Government agrees with the TCL that these recommendations will raise skills and standards across the industry. Service buyers and consumers will also benefit from improved landscape services.

2. The PWM for the landscape sector will provide a clearer pathway for landscape workers to progress in their careers as they become more skilled. Each occupation level in the PWM is pegged to specific training requirements based on the Singapore Workforce Skills Qualifications for Landscape (Landscape WSQ). The mandatory training requirements ensure that landscape workers are equipped with the necessary skills to carry out their job functions.  This will raise the professional image of the sector, and help landscape companies recruit and retain workers. 

PWM requirement in NParks’ Landscape Company Register (LCR)

3. The PWM will be incorporated as a requirement in the Landscape Company Register (LCR) administered by the National Parks Board (NParks). Companies registered on the LCR have been determined by NParks to be credible landscape companies with quality practices in place.  As of April 2015, over 90% of companies in the industry are registered on the LCR. From June 2016, the PWM wage requirements will apply to all resident landscape maintenance workers employed by LCR-registered companies. Details on the training requirement will be worked out by the TCL and released at a later date. Meanwhile, WDA will work with NParks to ramp up training capacity.

4. An estimated 3,000 resident landscape maintenance workers will benefit from higher wages, improvements in skills training and a clearer career progression pathway. Registered landscape companies which do not comply with requirements may not have their LCR registration renewed. NParks will work with the Ministry of Manpower (MOM) and the Singapore Workforce Development Agency (WDA) to implement the PWM.

5. Further enhancements to the LCR application requirements and processes will be made. NParks will work closely with landscape companies and assist them with the registration process and training requirements where necessary. More details will be shared with landscape companies at a later stage.

6. Landscape service providers are advised to factor in any anticipated cost increases when tendering for new contracts well before the PWM requirement takes effect. When the PWM is implemented, the Government will take the lead by requiring all tenderers for new landscape tenders to be registered on the LCR. Service buyers in the private sector are encouraged to follow suit, to benefit from better service standards.