Sage, the market leader in cloud business management solutions, has partnered with the Singapore Human Resources Institute (SHRI) to launch the SHRI-Sage HR Technology Lab in Singapore. The training facility is the first such technology lab dedicated to advancing the human resources (HR) workforce in Singapore and the region.

The lab is equipped for hands-on training sessions for up to 20 participants at a time, allowing HR professionals to bridge the gap between theory-based HR training and first-hand experience in using technology to improve and streamline HR processes. This joint investment consists of monetary funding, local and global professional experts for the training sessions as well as software for the classes’ curriculum.  

The SHRI-Sage HR Technology Lab is designed to help HR professionals embrace technology to alleviate their administrative burden and empower them to better support their business leaders’ strategic goals. Training being offered at the lab will be in line with the Singapore government’s HR Industry Manpower Plan to enable human capital development through deep-skilling the HR profession and nurturing a vibrant HR ecosystem in Singapore.

Currently, the challenge of preparing the workforce of the future for digitalisation of the workplace and transformation of the way we work, in view of increasing automation and adoption of technology, rests on the shoulders of HR professionals. 

Sage Asia Vice-President and Managing Director Arlene Wherrett said: “The world of work has changed irrevocably, and in this new digital era, HR professionals can effectively contribute and steer businesses towards success,” Ms. Wherrett said “At Sage, we aim to transform the way people think and work so that organizations can thrive. This collaboration with SHRI allows us to do that by helping HR professionals gain the skills, mindsets and tools they need to create the adaptive workforce of the future and prepare workers for jobs that are yet to be created.”

At the SHRI-Sage HR Technology Lab, professionals will be able to gain practical expertise and certifications in Sage HR & Payroll software solutions such as Sage EasyPay, the leading payroll and human resource management IRAS-certified software, currently leveraged by over 18,000 businesses in the region, ranging from SMEs to MNCs. There are plans to also include additional Sage software at the next stage, such as Sage 300 People, which is their unified integrated solution for payroll, finance and HR providing a single view of business planning. These end-to-end solutions for HR professionals encompass both the operational aspects of HR such as employee, payroll, leave and claims management including leveraging the Employee Self-Service portal popular in growing companies today, and the longer-term strategic HR planning functions such as performance management and training.

SHRI President, Erman Tan commented: “With the changing demographics and aspirations of Singapore’s workforce, staff retention is a prevalent challenge for most HR professionals today. Monetary rewards alone are no longer the key motivation for employees looking for intangible benefits such as flexi-work arrangements. The use of software, technology and automation can help increase productivity, whilst allowing employers to provide some of the intangible benefits in a cost-efficient manner. As a progressive human resource institute, SHRI is glad that we have found a partner in Sage and together, we are playing an active role in empowering our HR practitioners with practical skills and knowledge through the establishment of the SHRI-Sage HR Technology Lab.”

Currently, SHRI offers three courses that are accredited by the Institute for Human Resource Professionals (IHRP). Set up by the tripartite partners including the Ministry of Manpower, the National Trades Union Congress and Singapore National Employers Federation, the IHRP is the only industry body to award national HR credentials in Singapore.

Moving forward, SHRI and Sage will be working together to secure IHRP accreditation for the SHRI-Sage Certificate in Payroll Administration (CPA) and the SHRI-Sage Advanced Certificate in Payroll Administration (aCPA) that are being offered at the SHRI-Sage HR Technology Lab. These are also eventually expected to fall under the Workforce Development Authority’s WSQ (Workforce Skills Qualifications) framework of courses aimed at upskilling the Singapore workforce in preparation for the Fourth Industrial Revolution.

Interested parties keen to sign up for these current courses at the SHRI-Sage HR Technology Lab, can reach out to the SHRI and Sage teams at Learningservices.asia@sage.com