Opening Address by 2M at the BCA Academy Graduation Ceremony 2023

Nov 27, 2023

Introduction

1.             Good afternoon. A very warm welcome to the BCA Academy’s (BCAA’s) Graduation Ceremony 2023.

2.             First, let me extend my heartfelt congratulations to all 700 of you who are graduating today. Your accomplishments are a testament to the dedication and hard work you have put into your studies while balancing work and personal commitments. Well done!

3.             Let me also acknowledge your family members, friends, and employers, some of whom are here today to celebrate with you, for supporting you on this journey.

4.             It is heartening to see the presence of numerous industry partners in the audience today. In fact, the presidents and representatives of 12 Trade Associations and Chambers (TACs) are are present too, signifying the strong links between the industry and BCA. Thank you for your support. I look forward to our continued partnership.

Celebrating 20 years of Diploma Programmes

5.             Today we not only celebrate the accomplishment of our graduates, but also the 20th anniversary of BCAA’s diploma programmes.

                 i.         The Academy launched its first diploma programme in the early 2000s to equip graduates with the technical skills needed for additional responsibilities and site supervisory roles.  

                  ii.         Over the past two decades, BCAA has conferred more than 13,000 diplomas to our Built Environment (BE) professionals.

6.             Take Mr Alvin Fong, who is a Virtual Design & Construction (VDC) Manager of Kimly Construction as an example. 

                 i.         In 2014, he enrolled in the VDC Executive Programme jointly offered by BCA Academy and Stanford University. The programme enabled him to formulate strategic plans for VDC implementation, and he played a pivotal role in Kimly’s first VDC project, the development of Eunoia Junior College in 2017.

                  ii.         Alvin continues to find ways to upskill and reskill to keep pace with industry trends and emerging opportunities. For instance, Alvin saw the potential of using Building Information Models (BIM) and Integrated Digital Delivery (IDD) to improve work processes. Thus, he proactively enrolled for and completed BCA’s Specialist Diploma in BIM. 

              iii.         Today, Alvin is pursuing a Bachelor’s Degree in Construction Management, at the BCA Academy. He truly embodies the spirit of continuous learning and professional growth that we want to encourage amongst our graduates.

Transforming the Workforce

7.             BCAA graduates like Alvin have made key contributions to their firms, the wider BE sector, and a vibrant and liveable Singapore.

8.             Looking ahead, Forward SG is the roadmap for our future Singapore. It sets out our renewed social compact and articulates what we must do together. We want our nation to continue being a liveable city which means balancing our land needs for economic development, public housing, while conserving our green and recreational spaces.

9.             BE professionals, including all of you here today, will continue to play a critical role in the nation building efforts under Forward Singapore. We will need to work together to overcome various constraints, such as land, labour, and carbon, to build our future Singapore. Thus, we need to transform the BE sector and ensure that the BE workforce is ready for transformation.

10.         The Government will continue to support workforce transformation efforts. Educational institutes such as BCAA will equip our workforce with in-demand, transformative skillsets. It will do this in two ways. First, the Academy regularly updates its programmes to ensure they remain relevant.

                    i.         Take the Specialist Diploma in BIM that Alvin had embarked on as an example. Since it was launched in 2011, the programme has played pivotal role in building deep expertise in driving digital transformation. The programme now features new topics, like Common Data Environments (CDEs) and CORENET X. 

11.         Second, BCAA develops new programmes in emerging areas like collaborative contracting and sustainability.

                    i.         For example, it launched the Specialist Diploma in Integrated Project Management last year to equip participants with the skills to manage building projects collaboratively.

                  ii.         Later this year, BCAA will also be launching the Specialist Diploma in Sustainability & Carbon Management for the Built Environment to provide an integrated understanding on sustainability, circularity, and carbon management.

Partnering Industry to Nurture Work-Ready Graduates

12.         The industry also plays an important role in capability development. BCAA has been working closely with industry partners to adapt its programmes to place a greater emphasis on work experience.

                    i.         It has launched several practice-oriented programmes, like Integrated Work-Study Diplomas (IWSD). These allow students to embark on one and a half years of internships and structured workplace learning to gain real work skills even before they graduate.

                  ii.         Such programmes would not be possible without employers stepping forward to offer placements in their firms, and employees providing mentorship and guidance to our students.

13.         Our firms have also made significant contributions by offering their expertise as Adjunct Lecturers and consultants for curriculum development.

                    i.         The Specialist Diploma in Underground Construction was co-created with Arup Singapore Pte Ltd, an engineering and consulting firm with extensive experience in infrastructure work.

                  ii.         Students benefited greatly from hearing firsthand from the experts in the field, including Arup’s Singapore Country Leader, Engineer Tan Yoong Heng, who is also here today.

                iii.         I would like to thank all our industry partners who have supported these capability development efforts.   

Conclusion

14.         In closing, let me once again express my heartiest congratulations to our graduates. I encourage you to continue to develop yourselves professionally. Embrace lifelong learning and stay curious. The Government, BCAA, and all our industry partners are here to support your journey.

15.         As the next generation of boundary breakers and future builders, I am confident that all of you will help us create a vibrant, liveable and sustainable Singapore for future generations.

16.         I look forward to your contributions to the sector. Thank you.