SINGAPORE – Media OutReach Newswire – 4 September 2026 – At a time when enterprise AI adoption is gaining momentum, Ngee Ann Polytechnic (NP) launched its Centre for Shaping Human-First Transformation (SH1F+) on 29 July 2026. This workforce transformation initiative is built to support people whose roles are evolving and the organisations they work in, so that change is made to last. The event was graced by Dr Janil Puthucheary, Senior Minister of State, Ministry of Education & Ministry of Sustainability and the Environment. A Human-First Approach to Workforce Transformation While technology is a powerful catalyst for change, it does not drive workplace transformation. Research by the TIAA Institute noted that technology adoption is fundamentally a human and organisational challenge that requires workforce readiness, capability development and buy-in^[1]. In the face of AI-driven changes, ADP Research Institute also found that only about 15 percent of workers in Singapore feel secure in their current jobs, reflecting growing uncertainty about the future of work^[2]. As an institute of higher learning with close links to both industry and capability development, NP is uniquely positioned to help organisations transform from within. Specifically, SH1F+ does this through its rigorous methodology that focuses on how people experience and respond to change, providing end-to-end consultancy, training and support to ensure viability. SH1F+'s people-centred approach is evident in two main ways. Firstly, its proprietary Sandbox software is a key toolkit used for stakeholders – from leaders, managers, to teams – to assess current workforce capabilities, explore future possibilities, and align transformation strategies to business priorities. Employees remain firmly at the centre of this human-led and data-driven process, helping to shape redesigned roles, identify new skills, and prepare for new ways of working. Secondly, based on capability needs, SH1F+ designs and delivers structured programmes to build the competencies, mindsets and confidence of their employees. The result is workforce transformation that creates lasting value for both organisations and the people within them. "Technology is accelerating the need for workforce transformation, but many organisations still face gaps in strategy, culture, capabilities and job redesign. Leveraging NP's experience in consultancy and training anchored in human-centricity and behavioural insights, coupled with our high-touch support, SH1F+ will help organisations make and sustain change for the long term," said Mr Lim Kok Kiang, Principal and CEO of Ngee Ann Polytechnic. Funding Support for Transformation NP is collaborating with global professional services organisation Ernst & Young Advisory Pte. Ltd. (EY) to provide end-to-end consultancy services through SH1F+, from advisory, capability building, technology adoption to workplace learning. Eligible organisations can tap on the SkillsFuture Workforce Development Grant (Job Redesign+) scheme, with funding support of up to 70 percent for SMEs and 50 percent for non-SMEs, capped at S$150,000 per enterprise. "Workforce transformation in the age of AI must be human-first, not technology-first. As organisations accelerate AI adoption, many are rethinking how jobs are designed, how people are trained and how work is organised. Through SH1F+, EY and NP bring together complementary strengths to help organisations redesign roles, upskill talent and enable meaningful human-AI collaboration," said Mr Goh Jia Yong, Partner, People Consulting of Ernst & Young Advisory Pte. Ltd. Transformation Begins with People SH1F+ draws and builds on NP's growing ecosystem of centres that help organisations support people through change. Since 2022, NP's Human-Centred Design Institute (HCDI) has been helping teams strengthen their creativity, collaboration and problem-solving skills. NP later established the Centre for Organisational Resilience and Inclusion (CORI) in 2024 and the Centre for Behaviour and Nudge Design (BaND) in 2025, expanding its work in building organisational resilience and harnessing behavioural insights. NP will further strengthen this ecosystem with the Centre for Workplace Well-Being (coWELL), which will promote workplace mental well-being through wellness and stress management initiatives. Together, these centres give SH1F+ its edge – a human-centric approach that helps organisations transform by strengthening its people's capacity and confidence to change. (Please refer to Annex A for details on the SH1F+ model and how it draws on NP's...

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