20 February 2014 - Employers looking to offer flexible work arrangements can now arrange for their employees to work at a Smart Work Centre (SWC) in community spaces.
Singapore, 20 February 2014 | For Immediate Release
Well-equipped professional facilities in community spaces allow companies to benefit from a more productive workforce, while employees can look forward to a better work-life balance
Employers looking to offer flexible work arrangements can now arrange for their employees to work at a Smart Work Centre (SWC) in community spaces. SWCs offer a work environment located near home designed to cater to different modes of work and are usually equipped with professional facilities similar to those found in the office environment.
The first Smart Work Centres will be set up at Jurong Regional Library, Geylang East Public Library and Toa Payoh Public Library, under the collaboration between the Infocomm Development Authority of Singapore (IDA) and the National Library Board (NLB). Under the Smart Work Centres Call-for-Proposal (SWC CFP), the proposal by Regus, a company that provides flexible workspaces worldwide, was selected in January 2014 to set up SWCs in the three libraries. The SWC offers print and copy facilities in addition to video conferencing services, and users will also enjoy high-speed internet access.
The SWC is an initiative to encourage employers to adopt New Ways of Work (NWoW). The initiative is developed in consultation with Employer Alliance, Ministry of Social and Family Development, Ministry of Manpower, National Trades Union Congress - Women's Development Secretariat and Singapore National Employers Federation.
Advancements in technology better support a mobile workforce and open new possibilities for companies and their employees to enjoy NWoW. The Next Generation Nationwide Broadband Network (Next Gen NBN) has already allowed IDA and industry partners to explore innovative work arrangements such as home-based telecommuting.
For businesses, investing in NWoW can create an effective and sustainable means of managing office space growth requirements and being cost-competitive in an environment where space is limited, and rental costs are rising.
Employees using a NWoW approach may also be able to enjoy a better work-life balance, with the flexibility to meet their own family needs or personal development while still capable of a full day's work. A reduced commute can help achieve cost savings while enhancing productivity.
"The Smart Work Centres can help businesses, especially small and medium enterprises reduce operational costs by offering work facilities that they can use on demand. With the deployment of the Nationwide Broadband Network island-wide, these Smart Work Centres also offer ultra high speed connectivity to support organisations with data or bandwidth intensive work. All these can help to boost productivity and accelerate the growth of high-quality Singapore-based companies,"said Mr Steve Leonard, Executive Deputy Chairman, IDA.
The Smart Work Centres in the libraries are located in residential hubs and conveniently accessible via public transport. SWC users can work closer to home with easy access to the library's collection of books, information resources and audio visual materials.
"NLB is happy to serve the community in a new way. Our libraries are already well-loved reading and learning spaces for people from all walks of life. Now we offer space to work or run businesses, helping with professional lives while enriching personal lives. We hope our libraries can be incubators for budding entrepreneurs to chase their dreams," said Mrs Elaine Ng, Chief Executive Officer, National Library Board.
JOINTLY ISSUED BY INFOCOMM DEVELOPMENT AUTHORITY OF SINGAPORE AND NATIONAL LIBRARY BOARD
Related Resource
About Infocomm Development Authority of Singapore
The mission of the Infocomm Development Authority of Singapore (IDA) is to develop information technology and telecommunications within Singapore with a view to serve citizens of all ages and companies of all sizes. IDA does this by actively supporting the growth of innovative technology companies and start-ups in Singapore, working with leading global IT companies as well as developing excellent information technology and telecommunications infrastructure, policies and capabilities for Singapore. For more news and information, visit www.ida.gov.sg.
About National Library Board
The National Library Board (NLB) nurtures Readers for Life, Learning Communities and a Knowledgeable Nation. Through the National Library and its network of 25 public libraries, NLB promotes reading, learning and information literacy. By forging strategic partnerships to cultivate knowledge sharing, the libraries also encourage appreciation and awareness of Singapore's history through their wide range of programmes and collection on Singapore and regional content. The National Archives of Singapore, an institution of NLB, oversees the collection, preservation and management of public and private archival records, including government files, private memoirs, maps, photographs, oral history interviews and audio-visual materials. NLB also uses innovative technology to provide access to its digital library resources and services, and archival collection. Established on 1 September 1995 as a statutory board, NLB is now under the Ministry of Communications and Information (MCI). For more information on NLB, please visit www.nlb.gov.sg.
For media clarifications, please contact:
Angie LOW (Ms)
Senior Manager
Corporate and Marketing Communications Division
Infocomm Development Authority of Singapore
Email: angie_low@imda.gov.sg
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