Singapore mandates HR certification for firms with 200+ employees from 2028

Singapore has unveiled five recommendations to strengthen human capital capabilities across the economy, with the government accepting all proposals aimed at helping businesses and workers navigate technological change, longer working lives and workforce transformation.

The recommendations were released by the Tripartite Workgroup on Human Capital Capability Development (TWG-HC) at the Institute for Human Resource Professionals’ People Behind People Forum 2026 on 24 September.

The workgroup said the measures are intended to benefit more than two million workers, support at least 2,000 enterprises and build the capabilities of 20,000 HR professionals and people leaders.

The TWG-HC was convened in February 2025 to examine how rapid technological advancement, rising longevity and other changes are reshaping work and workplaces. Over the past 18 months, it consulted more than 1,000 employers, workers, HR professionals, trade associations and chambers, HR institutions, academia and government agencies.

Five recommendations for workforce and HR transformation

The first recommendation is to establish the Singapore Opportunity Index (SOI) as a national benchmark for the opportunities employers create for workers, using verified administrative data.

The index is intended to help workers make more informed career decisions while giving employers greater insight into the impact of their human capital strategies. Tripartite and industry partners will also provide advisory services and resources to help enterprises interpret their SOI reports and strengthen their people strategies.

The second recommendation focuses on helping enterprises strengthen workforce planning while making strategic HR expertise more accessible to SMEs.

The Singapore National Employers Federation (SNEF) and IHRP will provide practical guides and real-world examples to help companies incorporate workforce transformation into broader enterprise transformation plans.

For SMEs without dedicated strategic HR expertise, IHRP and Singapore-based startup co:grow are piloting a model that matches participating businesses with experienced HR leaders on a part-time, embedded basis.

The third recommendation centres on responsible and effective AI adoption in HR.

Tripartite partners will introduce the People-centred AI Transformation for HR (PATH) initiative, which will include AI Starter Kits combining AI solutions with implementation guidance, consultancy, training and funding support for high-impact HR use cases.

IHRP will also work with training partners to introduce accredited programmes aligned with 12 new IHRP AI Fluency Skills Badges. NTUC will develop a playbook for HR professionals navigating AI transformation, which is expected to be released in the first quarter of 2027.

The workgroup has also recommended guidance on responsible AI use in recruitment as AI becomes more widely used in hiring and other employment decisions. The guidance will cover processes and safeguards to help ensure employment decisions remain fair and merit-based.

The fourth recommendation is to professionalise HR practice by establishing a baseline for HR capability.

Under the recommendation, organisations with more than 200 employees should have at least one suitable HR professional who is an IHRP Certified Professional.

The government has accepted the recommendation and will make the requirement mandatory from July 1, 2028. 

The government said the requirement will support firms in building progressive workplaces and good jobs, while helping them prepare for the implementation of the Workplace Fairness Act and changes to the Employment Act.

Companies will be able to meet the requirement through equivalent certifications from international HR professional bodies recognised by IHRP, subject to any prescribed bridging requirements.

Organisations will also be allowed to use their SkillsFuture Enterprise Credit to offset remaining out-of-pocket certification costs for their HR professionals.

The fifth recommendation focuses on developing people leaders capable of leading workforce transformation. The Human Capital Leadership Institute (HCLI) is designing a human capital leadership development programme for senior HR and people leaders, with a focus on building capabilities, resources and support networks for next-generation enterprises.

Government backs all five recommendations

The government said it will work with NTUC, SNEF and industry stakeholders to implement all five recommendations.

Kenny Tan, Deputy Secretary (Workforce) at the Ministry of Manpower and TWG-HC co-chair, said the recommendations reflect a shared vision of workplaces where workers have opportunities to build meaningful careers while businesses strengthen their ability to adapt and grow.

“Leaders at all levels of the organisation – business leaders, human resource professionals and people managers – must drive enterprise and workforce transformation together,” Tan said.

Patrick Tay, Assistant Secretary-General of NTUC and TWG-HC co-chair, said HR professionals need to increasingly act as strategic partners as businesses transform and adopt AI.

“Stronger human capital capabilities can help companies make better workforce decisions, invest in their people, and ultimately create better jobs and work prospects for the Singaporean core, including PMEs,” Tay said.

Benjamin Boh, Council Member of SNEF and TWG-HC co-chair, said business and workforce transformation need to progress together, adding that stronger HR capabilities can help companies translate business priorities into people strategies and build skills for growth.

The recommendations form part of Singapore’s broader effort to strengthen human capital capabilities as technology reshapes jobs, skills and workplace practices.