Uplifting HR Practices for a Better Built Environment Workplace

Uplifting HR Practices for a Better Built Environment Workplace

Workforce issues continue to be a challenge for the sector, exacerbated by an ageing workforce. To better attract and retain local talents in the Built Environment (BE) sector, the sector needs to improve workplace environment and human resource (HR) practices to ensure it remains competitive against competing sectors for talent.

It is therefore important that BE firms build strong HR capabilities and adopt good HR practices. Firms could start with understanding their HR maturity by undertaking a holistic assessment via the Human Capital Diagnostic Tool (HCDT).

What is Human Capital Diagnostic Tool (HCDT)?

Human Capital Diagnostic Tool (HCDT) is a national framework for measuring firms’ Human Capital capabilities in meeting the organisation’s business and workforce needs.

What are the benefits of doing HCDT?

• Prepare for business and workforce transformation.
• Be aware of the benchmark scores against peers and business growth stage.
• Prioritise resources to improve Human Capital competencies and capabilities.
• Receive insights on how to close the gaps (if any) from trained HCDT assessors.

Note: BE firms that have participated in HCDT could register for various government schemes (e.g. Growth and Transformation Scheme, Integrated Facilities Management (IFM) and Aggregated Facilities Management (AFM) Grant, Productivity Innovation Project (PIP) etc)

Download the HCDT EDM and HCDT Supplementary Info to learn more about HCDT or refer to IHRP’s webpage for more information.

Other Info and Resources

The Human Resource Guidebook

The Human Resource (HR) Guidebook for the built environment sector is developed by the Building and Construction Authority (BCA) in consultation with the built environment firms. This Guidebook is designed to be a resource guide for HR professionals in built environment firms, including developers, consultants and contractors. The Guidebook follows the key HR principles from the Pledge, and aims to help firms improve their HR practices and build up the sector’s HR capabilities. Together, let's build a better built environment workplace.

Key HR areas

• Recruitment and on-boarding
  • Internal Communications 
  • Rewards and compensation 
  • Wellness and support schemes

HR Practices Guide

• Customised HR practices for the built environment sector based on the 5 key principles of the Pledge
• Uses an FAQ format with relevant “Quick Tips” to guide users

HR Tools & Templates 

• Self-assessment HR tools to assess your firm's HR maturity level 
• Commonly used HR templates to help develop your firm’s HR processes 

Best Practices & Resources

• Collation of best practices and case studies of built environment firms  
• Available HR resources for your firm’s reference to develop talents 

Download the Human Resource Guidebook:

Past HR Pledge Signees

In 2014, a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) was signed between BCA and the Construction Industry Joint Committee (CIJC) to push for the adoption of good HR practices in the sector through the "Pledge for a Better Built Environment Workplace".

Many BE firms had come onboard the HR Pledge and pledged to adopt good practices in various HR areas (e.g. performance management and training, recruitment and on-boarding etc.) for a better workplace.

Download the list of past HR Pledge signees here:

For any further queries, please refer to our FAQ or write to our BCA Feedback form.