Since the rollout of the $12 million Roadmap in 2012, the industry has seen transformation in their operations through an increase in productivity and manpower skills. In 2016, NParks announced a $5.6 million second tranche of funding for the Roadmap, which can be used to boost its initiatives over the next four years.

Initiatives introduced under the Landscape Productivity Roadmap include:

• Landscape Productivity Grant
• Nursery Accreditation Scheme
• Landscape Apprenticeship Programme

Landscape Sector Transformation Plan (LSTP)

The LSTP launched in May 2019, is a holistic 10-year transformation plan that aims to further grow and elevate the landscape sector through digitalisation, mechanisation and professionalisation. The LSTP will equip the landscape workforce with the higher value skills necessary for greenery and landscape management in Singapore’s biophilic City in Nature. 

Talent development is a key thrust of the LSTP.  The LSTP will upskill the local landscape sector, while growing a new generation of landscape talent to manage green spaces in Singapore.

As part of the plan, NParks also worked together with industry partners, unions, Institutes of Higher Learning (IHL) and other government agencies to develop the Skills Framework for Landscape. This provides companies and professionals with information on career progression pathways, and emerging and existing skills required in the sector.

For instance, NParks started working with ITE to develop a pipeline of skilled younger talent to invigorate the landscape sector. This includes introducing park and tree management technology in the classroom, a revised academic curriculum to impart higher value-added skills and ecological knowledge, as well as a new initiative allowing students to gain hands-on experience in managing a park which started in July 2019.

To recognise the industry’s contribution in shaping and growing our City in Nature, land has been allocated for landscape nurseries. The plots of land have been progressively tendered from November 2017. The land parcels are located in Lim Chu Kang and Sungei Tengah, with more than 100 hectares to be set aside for the industry in the long term.

In January 2018, NParks took over the management and development of the orchid industry to consolidate efforts for the sector with the broader landscape industry. This will allow NParks to better understand the needs of the industry and develop policies accordingly.