THE architecture profession empathises with the dilemma faced by eateries due to the labour crunch ("Empty tables? Sorry, restaurant is 'full' "; Tuesday).
The Building and Construction Authority projected that the value of construction deals here will reach $29 billion to $36 billion this year, following an exceptionally strong performance last year.
There is record construction demand, yet available manpower is at its lowest, caused by the strict hiring quotas on foreign architectural technicians imposed by the authorities.
The industry is stretched to its limit as the supply of such technicians among locals and permanent residents (PRs) is almost non-existent. It is interesting to note that, unlike the banking and IT sectors, no local or PR jobs have been compromised on account of foreign staff in the architecture profession.
This is because our profession has been experiencing extreme difficulty in recruiting locals as the available numbers are insufficient to meet demand, even before the labour crunch.
While it is possible for other sectors in the construction industry to adopt new technologies to raise productivity, the work of architects cannot be done by a tablet PC or an app.
Architecture is about lovingly crafting and designing buildings and ensuring they comply fully with the myriad of statutory requirements, for the safety and well-being of the public.
To maintain quality amid the labour crunch, many practices have been forced to turn away work. This is a chronic problem and a wasted opportunity to explore architectural innovations and enhancements.
To circumvent this, some firms have set up production offices overseas, resulting in a brain drain and resources being spent overseas instead of locally for the country's benefit.
Unless something is done to review the quota on foreign hires in our profession and other industries where the local workforce is virtually non-existent, delays in delivery, growth retardation and, possibly, closure of businesses will be inevitable.
Theodore Chan
President
Singapore Institute of Architects
The Building and Construction Authority projected that the value of construction deals here will reach $29 billion to $36 billion this year, following an exceptionally strong performance last year.
There is record construction demand, yet available manpower is at its lowest, caused by the strict hiring quotas on foreign architectural technicians imposed by the authorities.
The industry is stretched to its limit as the supply of such technicians among locals and permanent residents (PRs) is almost non-existent. It is interesting to note that, unlike the banking and IT sectors, no local or PR jobs have been compromised on account of foreign staff in the architecture profession.
This is because our profession has been experiencing extreme difficulty in recruiting locals as the available numbers are insufficient to meet demand, even before the labour crunch.
While it is possible for other sectors in the construction industry to adopt new technologies to raise productivity, the work of architects cannot be done by a tablet PC or an app.
Architecture is about lovingly crafting and designing buildings and ensuring they comply fully with the myriad of statutory requirements, for the safety and well-being of the public.
To maintain quality amid the labour crunch, many practices have been forced to turn away work. This is a chronic problem and a wasted opportunity to explore architectural innovations and enhancements.
To circumvent this, some firms have set up production offices overseas, resulting in a brain drain and resources being spent overseas instead of locally for the country's benefit.
Unless something is done to review the quota on foreign hires in our profession and other industries where the local workforce is virtually non-existent, delays in delivery, growth retardation and, possibly, closure of businesses will be inevitable.
Theodore Chan
President
Singapore Institute of Architects
