38 employees retrenched in GovTech's second round of layoffs

The latest phase brings the total number of employees retrenched since July to 131, as the agency continues its two-year workforce transformation exercise.

The Government Technology Agency of Singapore (GovTech) has retrenched another 38 employees in the second phase of its workforce transformation exercise, bringing the total number of staff laid off since July to 131, according to The Business Times.

According to the report, citing a statement from GovTech on 22 October, the latest phase affected 250 officers. Of these, 106 will remain in their current roles, while another 106 are eligible for conversion and apprenticeship pathways to transition into new roles.

The 38 officers leaving the agency were primarily in roles structured around traditional project delivery, GovTech was quoted as saying. The second phase of the restructuring is expected to be completed by November, according to statement by the Amalgamated Union of Statutory Board Employees (AUSBE).

The three-phase exercise is part of GovTech’s shift towards taking greater ownership of the digital products and services it builds and operates. As previously reported by HRO, the new operating model will see the agency move away from traditional project and vendor management towards continuous product ownership, while continuing to work with industry partners where specialised expertise is needed.

At the time, GovTech said the restructuring was expected to affect 7% to 9% of its workforce and was not driven by artificial intelligence (AI) adoption or cost-cutting.

Support for affected employees

As cited by BT, GovTech said it has prioritised retaining, retraining, and redeploying officers wherever possible. It will continue supporting officers undergoing apprenticeships through the assessment and transition process.

The agency will also work with the Public Service Division, the Skills and Workforce Development Agency, and AUSBE to provide affected officers with career coaching, job matching and placement assistance, including opportunities in the public service and private sector.