Singapore firms with more than 200 employees must have certified HR professional from 2028

• Certified HR professionals: Firms with more than 200 employees must have at least one IHRP-certified HR professional from 1 July 2028.

• More opportunities: Five recommendations aim to benefit more than two million workers and support at least 2,000 enterprises.

• Ready for AI and change: Enterprises will get support to adopt AI, strengthen HR capabilities and develop future people leaders.

Organisations with more than 200 employees must have at least one suitable human resource (HR) professional who is an Institute for Human Resource Professionals (IHRP) Certified Professional from 1 July 2028.

This is one of the five recommendations made by the Tripartite Workgroup on Human Capability Development (TWG-HC), which were revealed at IHRP’s People Behind People Forum on 24 September 2026.

By professionalising HR practice through an established and trusted baseline, tripartite partners hope to “enable firms to create progressive workplaces and good jobs”.

Firms will also be able to satisfy this requirement if their HR professionals hold equivalent certifications from other international HR professional bodies recognised by IHRP.

To encourage early adoption, the Government will provide an additional $100 subsidy between 1 October 2026 and 30 June 2028 for HR professionals undertaking this certification.

NTUC Assistant Secretary-General Patrick Tay, who co-chairs the TWG-HC, said that HR professionals need to become strategic partners for workers as businesses continue to transform and progressively adopt artificial intelligence (AI).

He said: “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.”

Mr Tay added that by helping workers adapt, upskill and take on new opportunities, Singapore can ensure that Singaporeans continue to benefit from economic growth and technological change.

Unlocking better opportunities

The recommendations seek to benefit more than two million workers, support at least 2,000 enterprises and strengthen the capabilities of 20,000 human resource (HR) professionals and people leaders.

According to Ministry of Manpower (MOM), NTUC and the Singapore National Employers Federation (SNEF), the recommendations are aimed at ensuring Singaporean workers have access to growth and development opportunities as the economy evolves.

Singapore must, in the face of constant change, provide opportunities for workers to develop their careers while allowing businesses to thrive, added the tripartite partners.

To unlock better opportunities for Singaporeans, one of the TWG-HC’s recommendations is to use the Singapore Opportunity Index (SOI) as a national benchmark for the opportunities employers create.

First announced in October 2025, the SOI helps workers make more informed career choices by assessing how firms perform in progression, pay, hiring, retention, and gender parity.

With the SOI as the national benchmark, tripartite and industry partners can also provide advisory services and resources to help businesses understand their SOI standing and, in turn, strengthen their human capital strategies.

Transforming work, growing people

Another recommendation is to help enterprises build people capabilities into growth strategies.

Tripartite partners said businesses need stronger human capital capabilities so that, as they grow and transform, they create better opportunities for Singaporeans.

On transformation, the TWG-HC also recommended helping enterprises use AI to transform work, with people at the centre.

Tripartite partners said they will introduce AI Starter Kits that bring together suitable AI tools, practical guidance, training, consultancy and funding support to help enterprises adopt AI for key HR functions.

IHRP will also work with training providers to introduce more accredited training programmes, enabling HR professionals to play a more active role in their organisation’s transformation plans.

And to ensure organisations have strong leaders at every level, the workgroup also recommended developing people leaders for the future.

The Human Capital Leadership Institute (HCLI) is currently developing a human capital leadership development programme for senior HR and people leaders. The programme will equip them with the capabilities, resources and support they need to build next-generation enterprises.

Recommendations to benefit enterprises, workers and leaders

The Government had also accepted the workgroup’s recommendations within the report on the same day.

MOM Deputy Secretary (Workforce) Kenny Tan said the report reflects tripartite partners’ shared vision for Singapore – where every workplace is a place of opportunity, and where every worker can build a meaningful and rewarding career.

“We are committed to implementing the five recommendations to strengthen human capital capability across our economy,” said Mr Tan, who is also the TWG-HC co-chair.

He added that for the recommendations to work, leaders at all levels of businesses must drive enterprise and workforce transformation together.

Read more about the TWG-HC report and its recommendations.