Lazada Commits to Upskilling Workers to Remain Relevant in the Future Economy

Lazada has joined the list of over 1,000 companies committed to work with NTUC-affiliated unions to upskill and redesign jobs for workers as they transition into the future economy.

The ecommerce platform signed an agreement with the Food, Drinks and Allied Workers Union (FDAWU) on 22 July 2022 to form a Company Training Committee (CTC) at its Jalan Buroh warehouse.

NTUC Secretary-General Ng Chee Meng witnessed the signing following a tour of the facility. He was accompanied by Lazada Chief Executive Officer Loh Wee Lee, FDAWU General Secretary Tan Hock Soon, and NTUC Deputy Secretary-General Desmond Tan.

Mr Ng said: “I am very happy to announce that NTUC has now surpassed the 1,000 CTCs that we have set out to do. But more importantly, we want to be able to partner Lazada so that they can up their productivity to better their business.”

Lazada will also be among the first few companies to apply and tap on the $70 million NTUC CTC Grant when applications open on 1 August 2022.

The NTUC CTC Grant was announced by Deputy Prime Minister Lawrence Wong at Budget 2022 in February.

Find out more about the NTUC CTC Grant.

The CTC will see FDAWU and Lazada collaborate to ensure that the company’s 700-strong workforce is ready for new jobs that require the use of technology, robotics and automation, especially those servicing the company’s supermarket service, RedMart, in warehouse and transport roles.

Lazada’s Mr Loh said as ecommerce continues to mature, logistics will play an increasingly important role.

“As we aim for higher productivity, especially with the opening of RedMart’s industry-leading automated West Fulfilment Centre, we understand the need to also invest in our workers to lead in new technologies in the field,” he added.

Lazada plans to develop a structured career pathway in warehouse operations and transportation operations management, which will allow employees to determine their own career progression based on their interests and talents.

A Company That Believes in Training

Before signing the CTC, Lazada has already been taking proactive steps to adopt technology and upskill its workforce.

Muhammad Reno Abdul Rashid, 27, who started as an operations warehouse associate with Redmart in 2017, shared that the company has helped steadily upskill workers such as himself over the years.

“When I first started, I had little to no computer skills. But today, I have been trained in Mircrosoft applications such as Excel, as well as leadership skill,” said Mr Reno, who is now a shift manager.

Cheong Yong Meng, 28, a shift supervisor with Redmart looks forward to the see what the CTC signing will bring to the company.

“I believe that it will open more opportunities for us workers in the future,” he said.