Singapore mandates certified HR staff for firms over 200 employees by 2028
From July 1, 2028, Singaporean companies with more than 200 workers must employ at least one IHRP-Certified Professional, while the government will subsidise certification and promote people-centred AI in HR.
Singapore's Ministry of Manpower, NTUC and SNEF unveiled a new requirement that organisations with over 200 staff must retain at least one HR professional certified by the Institute for Human Resource Professionals at the IHRP-Certified level or above, effective 1 July 2028. The policy seeks to professionalise HR, reinforce employee trust, and prepare firms for the Workplace Fairness Act slated for late 2027. To ease compliance, the government will provide a S$100 subsidy per certification between 1 October 2026 and 30 June 2028, with remaining costs offset by the SkillsFuture Enterprise Credit.
The tripartite report also calls for a "people-centred AI transformation" programme, offering AI starter kits, new AI fluency badges, and a playbook for HR practitioners. Support measures for SMEs include a pilot model that connects them with part-time senior HR experts and a national Singapore Opportunity Index to benchmark career prospects. The initiatives aim to align technological adoption with workforce outcomes and build a larger pool of certified HR professionals, projected to reach about 18,000 by 2030.
Why it matters
The rule raises HR standards and ensures AI adoption in Singapore's workplaces considers employee interests.
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