Where the Jobs Are: With a love of nature, youths join ‘sunrise’ landscape sector amid Singapore’s green push

As fresh graduates and other young Singaporeans face a challenging job market amid the economic downturn, TODAY is running an eight-part weekly Where the Jobs Are series, shining a spotlight on sectors that may be overlooked but are offering interesting opportunities.   

In the third instalment, we focus on landscaping, which employers have described as an industry that will be vital to Singapore’s ambitions of transforming itself into a “city in nature”. 

• Employers said the landscape sector is a “sunrise” industry that will be needed to help Singapore meet its growing green ambitions
• Young employees passionate about nature said there is always something new to learn 
• Others said they like finding ways to incorporate greenery into common spaces

 

SINGAPORE — Growing up, Ms Eunice Phua never had much first-hand experience with plants as her parents did not keep any at home.

She did, however, have a love for science and relished any opportunity to widen her knowledge about the natural world.

In primary school, she took part in the Young Scientist Badge programme, an initiative to get young learners interested in the subject through self-directed tasks in various scientific disciplines. It included a visit to the Singapore Botanic Gardens.

Little did she know that the process of collecting dry leaves and tree seeds, and pressing flowers between the pages of a book for her botany badge, would be the start of a blossoming passion for plants.

Her father then seeded the idea that she pursue a career in horticulture, the practice of garden cultivation and management, reasoning that there are prospects within the landscape sector.

Heeding his advice, she pursued a diploma in horticulture and landscape management — which has since been renamed landscape design and horticulture — at Ngee Ann Polytechnic. 

Ms Phua went on to further her studies by obtaining a Bachelor of Applied Science (Horticulture) from the University of Queensland in Australia.

Today, the 28-year-old assistant manager of conservatory operations at Gardens by the Bay spends her workday ensuring that the plants within the tourist icon are thriving. 

“In general, people see us horticulturists as plant doctors,” said Ms Phua, who was part of a team that helped put together the Floral Fantasy attraction, a collection of 3,000 plants from more than 150 species set within a 1,500 sqm indoor garden.

The science aficionado appreciates that it has been a constant learning journey at Gardens by the Bay since she started there as an intern while in polytechnic a decade ago.

Surrounded by so many species of flora at her workplace, Ms Phua said she is “always learning about something new”.

At the National Parks Board (NParks), senior landscape architect Nur Syuhada Limat said she knew since she was young that she wanted a job that involved working with greenery.

The 32-year-old eventually found a way to marry her love for designing building forms with nature, after she graduated with a Master of Landscape Architecture from the National University of Singapore (NUS) in 2012.

“Landscape architecture is about designing and curating a space to engage users, so that they can connect with nature,” said Ms Syuhada, who has been with NParks for nine years.

It not only provides a space for people to relax but helps improve their well-being.

One project she is proud of is a nature-based playground at HortPark — a 9ha park in Singapore’s south-west operated by NParks — that allows children to learn while having fun.

“To be able to see children enjoy the space I have curated for the public really brings me joy.”

SUNRISE INDUSTRY

Both women, who declined to reveal how much they are paid, are part of the 12,000-strong landscape workforce that forms what some employers described as a sunrise industry.

Common roles range from landscape workers and technicians who perform duties such as watering, weeding and basic pruning to more specialised jobs such as landscape architects, designers, horticulturists and arborists.

As part of its “city in nature” transformation, Singapore plans to create another 200ha of nature parks, 190km of nature ways and 160km of park connectors islandwide by 2030.

In addition, through the Landscaping for Urban Spaces and High-Rises programme, an initiative introduced in 2009 by the Urban Redevelopment Authority, Singapore hopes to add more life to urban environments by means of vertical and rooftop greenery, among other innovations.

Employers in the landscape sector, such as Nature Landscapes, said such ambitions for the city will require someone to maintain them.

“Who is going to maintain the ‘design intent’? It will be us,” said the firm’s executive director Jacqueline Allan, referring to an urban planner’s vision for an area.

Describing the landscape sector as a vital cog in Singapore’s greening efforts, Mr Sim Cheng Hai, NParks’ group director for the Centre for Urban Greenery and Ecology, said it is important for Singapore to not only improve its processes for greenery management but to grow the landscape sector.

Added Mr Choo Jun Wei, executive director of landscaping firm Mao Sheng Quanji Construction: “This is a sunrise industry and we really need more young people to join us.” 

Ms May Yeo, senior director of human resource and corporate services at Gardens by the Bay, said that it has, however, been tough piquing the interest of the younger generation to join the sector.

“Horticulture and landscaping do not immediately appeal to young people or their parents as an attractive, viable career, as jobs in this sector do involve quite a bit of physical work.”

Ms Yeo added that the relevant academic options in Singapore are limited compared with fields of study for other industries. This might deter students from pursuing their interest in landscaping, since they would have to obtain higher education overseas.

“This also leads to upstream challenges as we seek out candidates for specialist roles such as arborists and horticultural researchers,” she said.

Ms Allan, who is also the first vice-chairman of the Landscape Industry Association of Singapore, believes society stigmatises the sector.

“If you look back to your school days, when you are given a punishment, where do they send you? To clean the school compound or the garden,” she said. “So you either cultivate a passion for gardening from there or view it as a punishment.”

Yet the employers believe there are ways to attract young Singaporean workers and are hopeful that the environmentally conscious might be drawn to a sector that supports a biophilic city. Biophilia is a love of nature.

One way, they suggested, is to anchor careers with new technology, which is something that the authorities are already considering. 

Last month, NParks announced that about 1,000 new and redesigned jobs would be created over the next five years in the landscape sector, as the authorities push out a new digitalisation plan.  

The board is conducting a year-long pilot in the Bishan-Ang Mo Kio area to test various digital tools, such as a remote measurement system for trees and a grass height sensor.

Upon completion, NParks will work with the landscape industry on the adoption of these tools to enhance field operations, allowing workers to complete tasks with greater efficiency and precision.

Still, Mr Choo of Mao Sheng Quanji Construction said that while technology will give the sector an edge, it cannot be a substitute for manpower because the work carried out is still very hands-on.

.embed-container { position: relative; padding-bottom: 56.25%; height: 0; overflow: hidden; max-width: 100%; } .embed-container iframe, .embed-container object, .embed-container embed { position: absolute; top: 0; left: 0; width: 100%; height: 100%; }

LEARNING ON THE JOB

Young Singaporeans who are already part of the landscape workforce said they are grateful for the opportunities.

After a three-year stint in logistics, Mr Luke Teo decided that it was not for him, and he joined Mao Sheng Quanji Construction in 2016.

Despite having no relevant experience, his employers were willing to take him on as an apprentice.

To get him up to scratch, they enrolled him in several courses to build the skills needed, such as the basics of plant care, irrigation and even workplace safety.

The 32-year-old has risen to the position of assistant landscape supervisor and leads more than 10 landscape technicians in overseeing the maintenance of the greenery at Jurong Lake Gardens.

This includes planning his crew members’ rosters and ensuring projects in the national garden, such as tree transplanting, are done on time.

“Skills can be developed with proper guidance,” he said. “The most important thing is to have the right attitude and mindset.”

Mr Teo declined to reveal how much he earns, though he said that it was fair compensation.

Similarly, Nature Landscapes supports on-the-job training for its employees.

Although Mr See Pra Yuok was a graduate from Ngee Ann Polytechnic’s landscape design and horticulture course, he said it did not prepare him for a career in procurement.

The 25-year-old, who has been at Nature Landscapes for about a year, was able to learn from his colleagues how to source for the plants needed for the projects undertaken by his firm.

Pre-pandemic, Mr See would make frequent trips to Malaysia with his team to meet the firm’s suppliers and select the plants they need. These days, the viewing is done remotely.

Mr See, who takes home between S$2,000 and S$2,500 a month, will move to the company’s maintenance team soon to gain a better understanding of on-the-ground operations.

Nature Landscapes has also taken on Ms Ng Shi Qi, a 23-year-old who belongs to the pioneering batch of the Work-Study Diploma in Arboriculture and Horticulture at the Institute of Technical Education (ITE) College East.

Ms Ng, who earns a stipend of S$1,700 a month, spends four days a week learning how to care for plants by maintaining a condominium’s greenery and returns to school every Friday for lessons.

The course, which started in April last year, has 16 other trainees and will end in October next year.

Ms Ng, who has found her time fulfilling, hopes the skills she picks up will set her on the path to becoming a site supervisor.

‘ENJOY YOUR WORK, OPPORTUNITIES WILL COME’

Based on TODAY’s checks on the government jobs portal MyCareersFuture.sg, there were at least 22 landscaping-related positions available as of last Friday.

Mr Sim of NParks said graduates from ITE and polytechnics may join the industry at the assistant supervisor, supervisor or specialist level.

Those who are more design-inclined and equipped with diplomas or degrees in landscape architecture or design may enter the industry as a landscape architect or designer.

The monthly wage for landscape workers is S$1,450 and that for landscape technicians is S$1,650. Both roles come under the Progressive Wage Model, a framework where wages are pegged to skills, productivity and career development.

From July 1, landscape workers will earn at least S$1,550 in basic wages on the recommendation of the Tripartite Cluster for the Landscape Industry comprising unions, employers and the Government.

For applicants with relevant diplomas or degrees, Mr Sim said that the monthly wages for specialised roles, such as landscape designers and architects, are S$2,750 and S$3,050 respectively at the 25th percentile.

At Gardens by the Bay, Ms Yeo said that the salary for entry-level positions is about S$2,000 a month.

Based on the skills framework for the sector by government agency SkillsFuture Singapore, skills in demand include knowledge of digitalisation, automation and mechanisation; ecology and biodiversity in urban design; skyrise greening; and microclimate (the climate of a small or restricted area) and thermal comfort.

There are various educational opportunities for those keen to join the industry.

These include the ITE Work-Study Diploma in Arboriculture and Horticulture, diploma courses in horticulture and landscape design at the polytechnics, and bachelor's and master’s programmes in landscape architecture at NUS.

For those with a passion for nature but are still undecided, Ms Allan said it is worth taking that leap of faith.

Citing herself as an example, the 53-year-old industry veteran said she graduated with a diploma in ornamental horticulture and garden design.

Over the years, she attended a variety of courses to hone her craft.

“I often share with my team: I just enjoyed what I did and the promotions just came.”