Over 100 delegates attended the launch of the NEC Training and Accreditation Programme in Singapore

In August 2025, NEC Contracts held the official launch of the NEC Training and Accreditation Programme in Singapore. Co-hosted with the British High Commission Singapore, the event welcomed more than 100 senior leaders from government, industry and NEC experts, marking an important milestone in Singapore’s journey towards adopting NEC contracts. The launch highlighted how NEC contracts can support Singapore’s built environment sector by fostering collaboration, strengthening project delivery and driving innovation.

Inspiring opening remarks

The event began with remarks from Nikesh Mehta (British High Commission, Singapore), Teck Thai Heng (Building and Construction Authority, Singapore), and Renee Paik (NEC). Nikesh emphasised that Singapore remains an important partner for the UK, as demonstrated through the Strategic Partnership, Digital Economy Agreement, and Green Economy Framework. He mentioned that NEC can play a pivotal role across all three, particularly in advancing digitalisation and sustainability in the built environment.

Teck Thai shared that while the construction sector is operating in an increasingly complex environment, there are abundant opportunities ahead with a robust pipeline of public and private projects. To capitalise on these, the industry must transform its project delivery approaches by bringing stakeholders together to maximise value, minimise waste and embrace continuous improvement; also, the use of collaborative contracting, which provides the right framework to build trust, strengthen integration and support these principles

Renee spoke about NEC’s global impact in transforming industries worldwide through digital adoption, sustainability and collaboration. She also shared NEC’s commitment to Singapore, which includes: 

• Standardised NEC training programmes 
• Local expertise development and community building
• Advisory support on trial projects and early adoption phase
• Knowledge transfer of international best practices
• Tailored guidance for Singapore's unique regulatory and cultural environment

Panel discussion: shaping the future of NEC Contracts in Singapore

A thought-provoking panel discussion brought together Elaine Lee (JTC Corporation), Suat Choo Cheong (Land Transport Authority), Tony Ho (Development Bureau, Hong Kong), Bernard Ang (Pinsent Masons) and Robin Wilkinson (ICE Singapore/ARUP), moderated by Robert Gerrard (NEC).

The panel explored Singapore’s current contracting practices and challenges, including adversarial relationships, trust and financial strain on contractors. They discussed how lessons from Hong Kong’s NEC adoption demonstrate the importance of training, cultural change and leveraging technology to strengthen collaboration.

The speakers also stated the mindset shifts needed in Singapore, emphasising the importance of leadership, proactive contract management and continuous upskilling. They highlighted driving technological innovation through NEC contracts, including digital platforms for contract management and early warning systems. The discussion also explored how universities could play a bigger role in embedding NEC knowledge early to prepare the next generation of professionals.

In strengthening Singapore’s industry through NEC, several key takeaways emerged from the discussion: 

• The importance of competency in NEC4 as the foundation for adoption
• Leadership-driven change management to embed collaboration at all levels
• Integration of digital tools to enable smarter project delivery
• Educational partnerships to ensure academic training aligns with evolving industry needs

Building momentum for the future

The evening concluded with an engaging networking reception, creating opportunities for new connections and collaboration. The launch highlights NEC’s commitment to strengthening its presence in Singapore and deepening engagement with the wider industry. NEC remains dedicated to supporting Singapore’s built environment sector on its collaborative contracting journey — fostering a more innovative, resilient and sustainable future.

Further updates on upcoming training, accreditation and workshops will be shared soon.