The Association of Process Industry (ASPRI) in partnership with Centurion Corporation Limited (Centurion) and Lian Beng Group Ltd (Lian Beng) celebrated the Official Opening of ASPRI-Westlite Dormitory – Papan on 5 January 2018.
Located at Jalan Papan, it is Singapore’s first integrated and purpose-built workers’ accommodation advocating a ‘Live, Learn and Play’ environment encompassing a 7,900-bed facility that features ASPRI’s Integrated Training Centre (AITC) for workers in the Process Construction and Maintenance (PCM) industry.
The workers’ accommodation, which was soft-launched in May 2016, achieved almost full occupancy in less than one year and plays a vital role in increasing productivity and upskilling the workers of the PCM industry. Located in close proximity to Jurong Island, home to more than 100 global energy and chemical companies, the workers’ accommodation helps reduce workers’ travelling time and fatigue.
AITC, operated by ASPRI-Institute of Process Industry (ASPRI-IPI) brings training to the residents’ doorsteps. Residents are now empowered through 90 per cent subsidised courses to upgrade themselves with ASPRI-IPI’s comprehensive range of training courses encompassing IT & Literacy, Workplace Safety and Health, Teamwork, Quality & Productivity and Technical skill trainings. Moving ahead, ASPRI-IPI is working closely with Institutes of Higher Learning (IHL) such as Singapore Polytechnic (SP), to become a SMART training centre through integrating digital technologies such as Augmented Reality and Virtual Reality to enrich learning and improve training outcomes.
Guest of Honour, Tharman Shanmugaratnam, Deputy Prime Minister of Singapore and Coordinating Minister for Economic and Social Policies, officiated the ceremony that was attended by about 300 guests. In acknowledging the numerous benefits that the accommodation is bringing to Singapore, Shanmugaratnam remarked “I congratulate the partners in taking this bold, unprecedented move to work together to build Singapore’s first dedicated workers’ accommodation for the PCM sector. I am deeply encouraged by ASPRI-Westlite’s efforts to create world-class living conditions through a conducive ‘Live, Learn, Play’ environment for their residents. This workers’ accommodation is a testament of how a strong trade association like ASPRI can galvanise industry stakeholders including commercial partners like Centurion Corporation and Lian Beng Group to secure a future for their members and industry.”
Charles Quek, President of ASPRI, said “We are happy and proud that today we have achieved our dream of having a dedicated workers’ accommodation for the Process Industry. The accommodation, which features an AITC, contributes to a safer and more productive Process workforce by delivering quality trainings to improve their livelihoods. AITC aims to deliver over 400,000 quality training hours annually and features a SMART training centre that promotes digitalisation through technology”.
Tony Bin, Executive Director of Accommodation at Centurion Corporation, said “ASPRI-Westlite workers’ accommodation goes beyond just providing a place for habitation—it is about building a community to inspire the foreign workforce. As our fourth workers’ accommodation asset in Singapore, we are delighted to be playing a part in the country’s economic growth and development and in welcoming Mr. Shanmugaratnam in marking this occasion.”
Ong Pang Aik, Lian Beng’s Executive Chairman, commented, “We are pleased that Lian Beng’s second workers’ accommodation development mirrors the success of our first. The high occupancy of our two workers accommodation now brings a stable recurring income for us. We thank our partners ASPRI and Centurion in making this joint project meaningful and fruitful.” — Construction+ Online
