PUBLISHED ONBYLim KeweiPrime Minister Lawrence Wong said the Government Technology Agency of Singapore (GovTech) must continually renew its capabilities, while assuring restructured officers that the Government will continue to support them.
"I know it has been a difficult period for some officers," he said at GovTech's 10th anniversary dinner held at the Marina Bay Sands Expo and Convention Centre on Thursday (Nov 5) evening.
"We will continue to support the affected officers as they acquire new skills and prepare for new opportunities, whether within GovTech or outside."
It will reduce its headcount by up to nine per cent over the next two years as it moves to build and manage its own digital products.
Two of three planned restructuring phases have been implemented, with a total of 555 workers affected so far.
Among them, 131 officers will be retrenched.
On Thursday, he said policy and technology must work together to strengthen the Public Service in Singapore's next phase of digital transformation.
"Ultimately, our goal is not simply to have a strong tech agency, it is to have a technologically strong Government."
This means a Government where policymakers understand what technology can enable and technologists understand the policy objectives and operational realities.
"We need policymakers and technologists to work together much earlier, and much more closely. And that requires changes — changes on both sides."
At the political leadership level, cabinet ministers have been given dedicated sessions so that they can develop the instincts to ask the right questions, appreciate the possibilities and constraints, and understand how technology can help shape better policy choices.
The people at GovTech are at the heart of building capabilities across Government, PM Wong highlighted.
"We need people with deep expertise and a strong sense of public purpose, people who understand technology but also understand policy and operations. And people who keep learning, because the technologies and skills we need will continue to change.
"So GovTech must remain a place where such people can deepen their craft, take on difficult problems and do work that matters."
GovTech chairman Chng Kai Fong said in July that the workforce transformation will give officers clear ownership and direct responsibility for outcomes, and produce better products, stronger security, faster improvements and clearer accountability to the public.
PM Wong added that GovTech's expertise must be adopted by public agencies.
"As we progressively build up these capabilities elsewhere, GovTech itself must continue to be a centre of excellence — setting high standards, and tackling complex technological challenges that individual agencies cannot easily address on their own," he said.
"I look forward to working with all of you in the GovTech team to keep pushing boundaries, break new ground, and help us find better ways to serve Singaporeans together."
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