Days of heavy rain in Xayaboury have caused the Namheuang River to burst its banks, flooding parts of Kenthao District.
Amid Prevalent Skills Mismatch, Workers with Skills Gaps Not Prioritised for Training
- Skills mismatch continues to be the most prevalent form of mismatches (63%) according to business leaders
- Workers with skills gaps are not the top priority for training (15%), as compared to workers with high potential (45%)
SINGAPORE – Media OutReach – 10 September 2021 – As companies and workers transition into an endemic world, upskilling remains a key driver to build new capabilities and soar forward. According to business leaders however, skills mismatch continues to be the most prevalent form of mismatches (63%). This is in comparison to experience mismatch (18%), wages mismatch (17%), and expectations mismatch (2%). Business leaders also revealed that workers with skills gaps are not the top priority for training (15%), as compared to workers with high potential (45%).
These were some of the key findings from a recent labour research on the Future of Continuing Education and Training by the National Trades Union Congress (NTUC), in partnership with NTUC LearningHub (NTUC LHUB). The research surveyed a total of 564 business leaders across industries in Singapore, such as Manufacturing, Information and Communications, Financial and Insurance Services, Wholesale and Retail Trade, and Professional Services.
In further upskilling high potential workers, 67% of employers claim that they offer talent development programmes in the form of job rotations (65%), cross-department collaborations (60%), and secondments to other departments or companies (47%). However, only one-fifth (26%) of business leaders consider more than 40% of their employees as “high-potential”. This implies that a significant portion of workers lose out on upskilling, as they are less prioritised to receive training.
Commenting on the findings, Mr Patrick Tay, Assistant Secretary-General, NTUC and Director, NTUC Strategy, says, “I’m happy that NTUC LHUB undertook this important research with NTUC’s Strategy Team. A workforce is as strong as its weakest link. To build resilience, companies must ensure that each and every one in their workforce is continuously ready for what is next. By raising the competency of the entire workforce, businesses enable themselves to build new capabilities, and remain relevant. At NTUC, we are continuously innovating to effectively help both companies and workers. Through our Training and Placement ecosystem, we will provide support through an integrated suite of customised and timely solutioning such as strategy planning, job matching, leadership development, and enabling funding of training and technology implementation.”
NTUC LHUB Chairman, Eugene Wong, comments, “When companies upskill their existing workforce, they are not only realising business value, but also improving engagement and retention of employees. Investing in employees also gives them the confidence to apply newly gained skills and knowledge to value-add to the organisation. For this reason, I strongly urge companies to relook their training priorities to address the skills mismatch. At NTUC LHUB, we observe that many businesses require help in identifying skills gaps in their workforce. We always recommend them to embark firstly on a skills competency mapping or training needs analysis exercise, so they can close the skills gaps and invest in targeted upskilling strategies that will meet business objectives.”
About National Trades Union Congress
The National Trades Union Congress (NTUC) is a national confederation of trade unions as well as a network of professional associations and partners across all sectors in Singapore. NTUC’s objectives are to help Singapore stay competitive and working people remain employable for life; to enhance the social status and well-being of our members and working people; and to build a strong, responsible and caring labour movement. NTUC’s vision is to be an inclusive labour movement for all collars, ages and nationalities. NTUC is at the heart of the Labour Movement, which comprises 58 affiliated unions, five affiliated associations, 12 social enterprises, six related organisations as well as a growing ecosystem of U Associates and enterprise partners. For more details on NTUC, please visit our website at 
www.ntuc.org.sg.
About NTUC LearningHub
NTUC LearningHub is the leading Continuing Education and Training provider in Singapore which aims to transform the lifelong employability of working people. Since our corporatisation in 2004, we have been working with employers and individual learners to provide learning solutions in areas such as Cloud, Infocomm Technology, Healthcare, Employability & Literacy, Business Excellence, Workplace Safety & Health, Security, Human Resources and Foreign Worker Training.
To date, NTUC LearningHub has helped over 25,000 organisations and achieved over 2.6 million training places across more than 500 courses with a pool of over 900 certified trainers. As a Total Learning Solutions provider to organisations, we also forge partnerships and offer a wide range of relevant end-to-end training solutions and work constantly to improve our training quality and delivery. In 2020, we have accelerated our foray into online learning with our Virtual Live Classes and, through working with best-in-class partners such as IBM, DuPont Sustainable Solutions and GO1, asynchronous online courses.
For more information, visit www.ntuclearninghub.com.
#NTUCLearningHub
Tigerhead Drinking Water Recognized Again for World-Class Quality
The world-class quality of Tigerhead Drinking Water from Lao Brewery Co Ltd (LBC) has once again been recognized, most recently at the Quality Awards 2021 by Monde Selection. In this latest round of awards, Tigerhead Drinking Water received the Grand Gold medal, after previously being awarded the Gold medal at the Quality Awards by Monde Selection in 2003, 2006, 2010, 2013, and 2017.
Laos Confirms 194 New Cases of Covid-19 with Large Numbers in Champasack Province
Laos has confirmed 194 new cases of Covid-19, bringing the total number of cases to 16,936.
Illegal Logging Operation Discovered at Phou Phanang
Police in Vientiane Capital have arrested six people believed to have undertaken illegal logging in a forest in Sangthong District.
Quilter International: Nearly half a million people issued British National Overseas passports
HONG KONG SAR – Media OutReach – 10 September 2021 – New data gathered by Quilter International shows that close to half a million British National (Overseas) (BN(O)) passports were issued to Hong Kong residents in 2019 and 2020.
Quilter International’s adviser survey indicated that UK is one of the top three countries the clients plan to migrate to.
A Freedom of Information request issued to HM Passport Office found that a total of 463,116 (BN(O)) passports were approved for issue compared to 68,914 in total during the three preceding years. The number of passports peaked in autumn and winter 2020 with an average of 50,000 BN(O) passports issued each month.
BN(O) status is a type of British nationality created in 1985 that people in Hong Kong could register for before the 1997 handover to China to retain a link with the UK, but the status does not include right to live or work in the UK. On 31 January 2021, the UK government however opened a new route for BN(O) passport holders and family members to apply for a BN(O) visa which allows the holder to live, work and study in the UK and ultimately provides a route to gaining full British citizenship. This has seen 64,900 BN(O) visas applied for during the first two quarters of this year according to the National Statistics from UK Home Office.
These statistics are consistent with the results of a recent survey Quilter International conducted which found that 75% of Hong Kong financial advisers interviewed say they have received more queries from clients related to offshore investing and relocating in the last 12 months.
The top three countries the clients plan to migrate to are the UK (91.7%), Canada (50%) and Australia (41.7%).
The surge in the number of people renewing or applying for BN(O) passports and more recently applying for BN(O) visas has resulted in an increase in people seeking financial planning advice specifically related to an imminent move to the UK. However, the UK uses a different tax year and the statutory residence test which can both cause issues because many are unaware that financial planning should start at least one year before arriving in the UK.
Mark Christal, Hong Kong CEO, Quilter International says:
“Over the past two years, nearly half a million Hongkongers have decided to renew or apply for a BN(O) passport or more recently apply for a BN(O) visa with the hope of moving to the UK.
“For anyone thinking of leaving Hong Kong, it is important to plan ahead especially as the UK is a vastly complex and much higher tax jurisdiction. Careful financial planning is a must to help mitigate significant tax liabilities that also includes wealth held across the world. For example, the UK’s highest income tax band rate is 45%, capital gains on residential property are taxed at 28% and for other chargeable assets is 20%. The UK also uses a different tax year and statutory residence test which can both cause issues unless financial planning should start at least one year before arriving in the UK.
“There are planning opportunities to potentially mitigate tax exposure such as holding wealth within a recognised insurance policy, but a comprehensive wealth planning process including implementation of agreed plans take time and therefore it is worth starting discussions with a financial adviser sooner rather than later.”
Visit https://bit.ly/3yRobFd for more useful information about UK tax.
About Quilter International and Quilter plc
Quilter International is one of the leading cross-border provider of wealth management solutions and part of Quilter plc.
Quilter plc is one of the leading wealth management business in the UK and internationally, helping to create prosperity for the generations of today and tomorrow.
Quilter plc oversees £126.6 billion in customer investments (as at 30 June 2021).
It has an adviser and customer offering spanning financial advice, investment platforms, multi-asset investment solutions and discretionary fund management.
The business is comprised of two segments: Advice and Wealth Management and Wealth Platforms.
Advice and Wealth Management encompasses the financial planning businesses (Quilter Private Client Advisers, Quilter Financial Planning and Quilter Financial Advisers), the discretionary fund management business (Quilter Cheviot) and the Multi-asset investment solutions business (Quilter Investors).
Wealth Platforms includes the Quilter investment platform and Quilter International, including AAM Advisory in Singapore.
This press release is for journalists only and should not be relied upon by financial advisers or customers.
Please remember that past performance is not a guide to future performance. The value of investments and the income from them can go down as well as up and investors may not get back any of the amount originally invested. Exchange rate changes may cause the value of overseas investments to rise or fall.
This communication is issued by Quilter plc. This communication is issued by Quilter plc. Registered office: Senator House, 85 Queen Victoria Street, London, EC4V 4AB, United Kingdom. Registered number: 6404270. Registered in England.
AIA continues to celebrate 90 years in Singapore with exciting return of “AIA Live” online health and wellness event series
Series will provide Singaporeans exclusive access to events with local influencers and global stars, helping them to live Healthier, Longer, Better Lives
SINGAPORE – Media OutReach – 10 September 2021 – AIA Singapore today announced the return of its largest online health and wellness regional event, AIA Live 2021, kicking off on 12 September 2021 with AIA’s global ambassador David Beckham and other ambassadors from the region. Following the regional online event, Singapore would also host its own series of AIA Live in Singapore this October, which promises an expanded series of fun, engaging, and unexpected virtual events to help Singaporeans keep healthy. This reflects the long-standing commitment of the leading life insurer to help individuals and families in Singapore live Healthier, Longer, Better Lives together.
As AIA Singapore marks its 90-year milestone this year with a new long-term commitment and investment in Environmental, Social, and Governance, its brand promise will take on a renewed purpose as it looks to make positive contributions not only to the health of Singaporeans, but also the health of the wider community and environment.
Ms Melita Teo, Chief Customer and Digital Officer of AIA Singapore, says, “In the face of a global health crisis, we have empowered our customers to embrace new norms and emerge healthier together. This latest initiative will motivate Singaporeans to continue on this journey and do more to reach their health goals even as COVID-19 becomes endemic in our lives. We will also be inviting our AIA family of ambassadors to come along for the ride, so we can make a bigger impact in the overall wellbeing of Singaporeans in a fun and engaging way.”
AIA Live 2021 – Exclusively for Singapore
Local influencers Benjamin Kheng and Andrew Marko, together with special guests AIA Global Ambassador David Beckham and footballers from the Singapore Premier League, invite Singaporeans to join them for the very first AIA Live in Singapore on Thursday, 7 October, 5.00pm-6.00pm SGT.
In conjunction with World Mental Health Day, this first event will feature a Tai Chi masterclass to sharpen focus, build emotional resilience, sleep better and most importantly, enhance overall well-being to combat the languish we feel due to the pandemic.
In addition to learning this age-old Chinese martial art together, fans will also get a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to have their questions answered by David Beckham during the event on how he keeps himself healthy and happy in challenging times.
David Beckham, AIA’s Global Ambassador, shared: “It’s great that AIA Live’s online health and wellness event is back as we are all still adapting to the world we are now living in. It’s so important to keep discussing the different ways we can all stay positive and share tips on the little changes we can make to improve our health and wellness. I’m excited to be joined by so many great speakers and be a part of this event.”
To register for the first AIA Live in Singapore event and stand a chance to have your questions answered by the mega star and win exclusive signed merchandise, please visit: http://bit.ly/AIALIVESG21. Question submission and event registration will close on 4 October 2021 (2359 hrs).
More details on the second AIA Live in Singapore event will be announced within the coming weeks. #AIALiveinSG #AIASG #HealthierLongerBetterLives
Live Healthier, Longer, Better Lives all month long with AIA Singapore
Aside from the AIA Live 2021 series, the leading life insurer will also be hosting Live 10.10 with Vitality – a specially curated day of 10 activities on 10 October 2021 to help individuals and families in Singapore Move, Unwind and Flourish with Vitality. Watch this space: Live 10.10 with Vitality for more updates on 15 September.
Follow AIA Singapore on Facebook (@Singapore.AIA) and Instagram (@AIASingapore) to stay up-to-date on all upcoming AIA Singapore and AIA Vitality events and exciting new guest star reveals.
Background on AIA Live
AIA Live was first introduced in 2020 as a regional online health and wellness event spanning 13 markets. The first event was headlined by AIA’s Global Ambassador David Beckham and featured more than 30 unique sessions, delivering health and wellness content and light-hearted moments of music and comedy around the key themes of mental wellbeing, exercise, activity and rest, nutrition, and personal growth. The second installment of AIA Live in 2021 will be expanded to include more regional and local sessions to keep everyone motivated on their health journey throughout the year.
Background on AIA’s partnership with David Beckham
AIA has partnered with David Beckham since 2017. As AIA Global Ambassador, David Beckham has been engaging with youths, families, and communities in Singapore and around Asia to promote active living and foster the values of teamwork and discipline through sports.
About AIA
AIA Group Limited and its subsidiaries (collectively “AIA” or the “Group”) comprise the largest independent publicly listed pan-Asian life insurance group. It has a presence in 18 markets – wholly-owned branches and subsidiaries in Mainland China, Hong Kong SAR(1), Thailand, Singapore, Malaysia, Australia, Cambodia, Indonesia, Myanmar, New Zealand, the Philippines, South Korea, Sri Lanka, Taiwan (China), Vietnam, Brunei and Macau SAR(2), and a 49 per cent joint venture in India.
The business that is now AIA was first established in Shanghai more than a century ago in 1919. It is a market leader in Asia (ex-Japan) based on life insurance premiums and holds leading positions across the majority of its markets. It had total assets of US$330 billion as of 30 June 2021.
AIA meets the long-term savings and protection needs of individuals by offering a range of products and services including life insurance, accident and health insurance and savings plans. The Group also provides employee benefits, credit life and pension services to corporate clients. Through an extensive network of agents, partners and employees across Asia, AIA serves the holders of more than 39 million individual policies and over 16 million participating members of group insurance schemes.
AIA Group Limited is listed on the Main Board of The Stock Exchange of Hong Kong Limited under the stock code “1299” with American Depositary Receipts (Level 1) traded on the over-the-counter market (ticker symbol: “AAGIY”).
Notes:
1. Hong Kong SAR refers to Hong Kong Special Administrative Region.
2. Macau SAR refers to Macau Special Administrative Region.
#AIA
BEAM Plus Data Centres Assessment Tool Advocates Sustainable Development
Tailored for the assessment and improvement of energy efficiency and green performance of data centres
HONG KONG SAR – Media OutReach – 9 September 2021 – BEAM Society Limited and Hong Kong Green Building Council jointly held a launch ceremony today (9 September) at Data Technology Hub in Tseung Kwan O, announce the launch of “BEAM Plus Data Centres” – a tool designed for the green building assessment of data centres based on their unique features. A practice guide has also been published simultaneously to assist operators in enhancement of energy efficiency and environmental performance of data centres from multiple fronts. Over 100 guests joining the launch ceremony, with Mr WONG Kam-sing, GBS, JP, Secretary for the Environment and Mr SIT Wing-hang, Alfred, JP, Secretary for Innovation and Technology as the officiating guests.
A surging demand for data centres driving the need for energy efficiency
The development of 5G communication technology and the Internet of Things (IoTs), as well as the increasing adoption of remote work have led to a surging demand for stable, secure and trustworthy data centre provision and services across the world. With a mature telecommunication infrastructure, as well as geographical and strategic advantages, Hong Kong has been a top-of-mind priority site for data centre and is believed to see a sharp rise in demand of such going forward. The power consumption of data centres could be huge, standing at around 10 to 15 times[1] that of a 320-unit residential building. Currently the total power consumption of data centres around the world is about 1%[2] of the total consumption by mankind, suggesting a huge potential of consumption reduction.
A unique assessment tool covering major aspects of data centres
BEAM Plus Data Centres is an assessment tool tailored for data centres with high power and cooling system consumption. The tool has taken into account the local climate, ecological environment and actual conditions in Hong Kong at its design phase, and has introduced international guidelines to give a comprehensive assessment tool covering the entire life cycle of a data centre. Advocating sustainable development, this assessment tool is categorised into various aspects, including Energy Use, Water Use and Innovations and Additions, etc.
Ms Ivy LEE Siu Wing, Chairperson of BEAM Society Limited mentions, “Most existing assessment tools in other regions focus primarily on energy consumption. There is no specific evaluation tool that fits the unique features of data centres. In this regard, the evaluation scheme of BEAM Plus Data Centres is relatively fitter for purpose, more comprehensive and flexible.”
Sr Dr Stephen LAI Yuk-fai, JP, Director and Vice-chair of Green Labelling Committee, Hong Kong Green Building Council says, “Many industries have experienced a complete shift in working model in recent years and relied heavily on digital communication and data transmission by data centres. With the launch of BEAM Plus Data Centres, we look forward to a reduction of carbon footprints, leading to a more environmentally friendly and sustainable digital communication and data transmission process.”
In addition, having considered the local circumstances and global best practices, the “Green Data Centres Practice Guide” (“the Guide”) has been published and provided data centre practitioners with details of energy-efficient and environmentally friendly operation modes. The Guide also suggests operation modes for cooling system, power efficiency monitoring and management, IT equipment deployment, management and maintenance, and green recycling for data centres, and assists practitioners in identifying shortfalls and implementing measures to improve energy efficiency and environmental performance.
Extensive industry consultations bring high recognition
Ir Victor CHEUNG Chi-kong, Convenor of BEAM Plus Data Centres Steering Committee mentions, “This project had been kicked off since February 2019 and a beta version of the Tool had been released for industry consultation in March 2020 including meetings with representatives of the data centre industry and stakeholders. BEAM Plus Data Centres Version 1.0 was officially launched in September 2021. We are pleased to see that the Office of the Government Chief Information Officer has led by example to join the pilot assessment project and set an exemplar for data centres, proving the high industry recognition of BEAM Plus Data Centres.”
Please click HERE to download the event photos
Photo 1
(from left to right) Mr PANG Yiu-hung, Eric, JP, Director of Electrical & Mechanical Services, Ms HO Wing Yin, Winnie, JP, Director of Architectural Services Department, Mr LIU Chun-san, JP, Under Secretary for Development, Ms Ivy LEE Siu Wing, Chairperson of BEAM Society Limited, Mr WONG Kam-sing, GBS, JP, Secretary for the Environment, Mr SIT Wing-hang, Alfred, JP, Secretary for Innovation and Technology, Hon Elizabeth QUAT, BBS, JP, Legislative Council Member (Geographical Constituency – New Territories East), Sr Dr Stephen LAI Yuk-fai, JP, Director and Vice-chair of Green Labelling Committee, Mr LAM Wai-kiu, Victor, JP, Government Chief Information Officer, Office of the Government Chief Information Officer and Ir Victor CHEUNG Chi-kong, Convenor of BEAM Plus Data Centres Steering Committee officiated the launch ceremony.
Photo 2
Ms Ivy LEE Siu Wing, Chairperson of BEAM Society Limited mentions, BEAM Plus Data Centres fits the unique features of data centres, and the evaluation scheme is relatively fitter for purpose, more comprehensive and flexible.
Photo 3
Sr Dr Stephen LAI Yuk-fai, JP, Director and Vice-chair of Green Labelling Committee, Hong Kong Green Building Council says, with the launch of BEAM Plus Data Centres, it is expected to a reduction of carbon footprints, leading to a more environmentally friendly and sustainable digital communication and data transmission process.
Photo 4
BEAM Society Limited and Hong Kong Green Building Council jointly held a launch ceremony today (9 September) at Data Technology Hub in Tseung Kwan O, announce the launch of BEAM Plus Data Centres – a tool designed for the green building assessment of data centres based on their unique features.
Photo 5
Group photo of the launch ceremony.
[1] Measures to facilitate the development of data centres (p.3), Legislative Council Brief
https://www.legco.gov.hk/yr11-12/english/panels/itb/papers/itb-gcio11135c-e.pdf
[2] Data Centres and Data Transmission Networks, International Energy Agency
https://www.iea.org/reports/data-centres-and-data-transmission-networks
About BEAM Society Limited (BSL)
BEAM Society Limited (BSL) is a non-profit organisation. Since the development of Building Environmental Assessment Method (BEAM) in 1996, and BEAM Plus in 2010, BSL has committed to administering and developing the BEAM Assessment Tools, offering impartial assessment on building sustainability and training BEAM practitioners – BEAM Professionals (BEAM Pro) and BEAM Affiliates. BSL has become a public body under the Prevention of Bribery Ordinance since 2016.
BSL has committed to improving the overall quality of the built environment in Hong Kong. BEAM assessment tools available include: BEAM Plus New Buildings, BEAM Plus Existing Buildings, BEAM Plus Interiors, BEAM Plus Neighbourhood and BEAM Plus Data Centres. They assess the impact of overall planning, design, construction and maintenance on the environment. To get more information about BSL, please visit 
www.beamsociety.org.hk
About the Hong Kong Green Building Council (HKGBC)
The Hong Kong Green Building Council Limited (HKGBC) is a non-profit, member led organisation established in 2009 with the vision to help save the planet and improve the wellbeing of the people of Hong Kong by transforming the city into a greener built environment. The Founding Members of the HKGBC include the Construction Industry Council (CIC), the Business Environment Council (BEC), the BEAM Society Limited (BSL) and the Professional Green Building Council (PGBC). Its mission is to lead market transformation by advocating green policies to the Government; introducing green building practices to all stakeholders; setting design, construction and management standards for the building profession; and promoting green living to the people of Hong Kong. To learn more about the HKGBC, please visit www.hkgbc.org.hk.
#BEAMSociety #BSL
