Extended lockdowns led to work disruptions and manpower constraints for the Singapore-based company
Singapore-based Sunseap Group has redesigned the career path of solar technologists to attract more locals to join the sector. They aim to help employees achieve better job progression, more learning and development opportunities, and eventually better pay with the new strategy.
Last year, the clean energy provider experienced manpower constraints when the pandemic found their foreign employees stuck in dormitories or overseas as they were unable to return to Singapore. Work on a floating solar platform in the Straits of Johor was disrupted – but not for long as Sunseap’s Singapore-based employees volunteered to take over the project. Their efforts helped the firm complete the construction of the solar platform during the lockdown period.
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HRD spoke to Kok Ee Lan, Chief of People & Organisation at Sunseap Group to find out how the pandemic has changed the company’s talent strategy.
“We have been accelerating the recruitment and retention of talents to meet significant business growth in recent years and expect to continue to do so for the near future,” she told HRD. “The company is on the lookout for talents who share our corporate values and our vision of bringing affordable, clean energy to people everywhere.”
Some of those values include being innovative and passionate in their work, which is essential to achieve the company’s vision. If the pandemic has changed anything, it’s the heightened awareness around the need for sustainability to protect communities from the negative impact of climate change. Thus, business will likely get busier for Sunseap as they lead the charge for the adoption of clean energy. This is why the firm is “deeply committed” to building a strong core of skilled, capable local talent to meet the needs of the growing sector.
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As part of their talent strategy, Sunseap collaborated with the Employment and Employability Institute and the Sustainable Energy Association of Singapore to redesign the solar technologist role for both junior and senior positions. The redesign will allow Singaporeans to enter the industry through multiple pathways.
So what does the firm look for in potential recruits? “For general roles, technical skills are a baseline requirement followed by alignment with Sunseap's corporate values and vision,” said the HR head. “In our current drive to recruit solar technologists, we are looking for talents with technical diplomas. Those with higher qualifications and relevant experience can take on more senior solar technologist roles.
“For management roles, we look for a combination of integrity and empathetic leadership skills, as well as the ability to energise others with their passion for work and life.”
