Skilled trades fight ‘unglam, dirty’ perceptions to woo young people into shrinking local workforce

Skilled trades in Singapore are battling persistent stereotypes of being unglamorous and physically demanding to attract younger generations into a shrinking local workforce. The challenge is evident in the case of Benetton and Royston Chan, two brothers who grew up assisting their father, an electrician and plumber, during their secondary school years. After completing their education, the pair launched Sparkflow, a one-stop handyman company, in 2013, driven by what they saw as an untapped demand for their combined skills. Their father, William Chan, now 70, supported their decision, believing that his sons could carry forward the family's legacy in the trade. Benetton, who holds a degree in economics and finance from RMIT University, is open to the idea of his two-year-old son pursuing a similar path. However, he and his father are rare exceptions in a sector increasingly dominated by older workers. Younger individuals entering the labor market are showing a preference for office-based jobs that are perceived as less physically taxing. With more obtaining university degrees, their career aspirations have shifted toward roles that offer stability and intellectual engagement rather than manual labor. Richard Tock, a 65-year-old licensed plumber and gas service worker, expressed concern that no one will inherit his skills and knowledge. He teaches at BCA Academy and emphasized the importance of passing down expertise before it is lost. According to a spokesperson from the Manpower Ministry (MOM), 51,600 residents were employed as craftsmen and related trades workers in 2025. This figure represents a decrease from the 53,000 recorded in 2023, with a median age of 56 among those in these roles. At that time, MOM noted that 133,000 foreign workers were active in the sector. The ministry acknowledged the challenges faced by the skilled trades sector, which include an aging workforce, fewer young locals entering these roles, and intense competition for manpower across different industries. To address these issues, MOM is working to enhance the appeal of these careers by offering clearer skills pathways, stronger professional recognition, and improved career progression opportunities. Somchai Virabhak, president of the Singapore Electrical Contractors and Licensed Electrical Workers Association, highlighted that there are approximately 3,700 licensed electrical workers in Singapore, with more than a third of them aged over 60. He noted a noticeable decline in local workers entering the sector over the past five to ten years, with an increasing reliance on foreign technicians for hands-on electrical installation work. This issue has sparked discussions at both national and parliamentary levels. The Economic Strategy Review recommended a coordinated approach to improve job quality, productivity, and wages in essential roles such as skilled trades while addressing societal attitudes that contribute to the undervaluation of such positions. The review also proposed expanding the definition of 'good jobs' to formally include skilled trades, care work, and social services. During a recent parliamentary debate on Singapore's future economy, Workers’ Party MP Gerald Giam suggested establishing a guild for skilled tradespersons to better structure career pathways, develop expertise, and increase wages. In response, the government stated that it is already making progress toward these objectives, including through a partnership between the Manpower Ministry and the Specialists Trade Alliance of Singapore (STAS). This collaboration aims to create more structured pathways into good jobs, beginning with electrical trades. The recognition of the value and necessity of skilled trades continues to grow, yet the challenge remains to shift public perception and encourage younger generations to consider these professions as viable and rewarding career options.