The Singapore Contractors Association Limited (SCAL) officially inaugurated its new headquarters on Friday (6 Feb), marking a significant milestone in the association’s 89-year history. The SCAL Construction Hub, located at 10 Tannery Lane, will provide safety training, innovative solutions and industry engagement all in one place.
For the first time, the facility also brings together SCAL and its subsidiaries – SC2 Pte Ltd and SCAL Academy Pte Ltd – under one roof. Covering a gross floor area of 4,457.25 sq m, this seven-storey building has achieved the BCA Green Mark Super Low Energy (SLE) certification.
Three core pillars
The new hub has been built “not only for the needs of today but also for the challenges of tomorrow.” said Lee Kay Chai, president of SCAL. “It was designed around three core pillars: innovation, training and connectivity.”
The hub’s concept of the innovation centre will feature practical construction technologies with scheduled industry showcases, offering contractors hands-on opportunities to explore applications of innovation in their daily work. Such solutions include “robotics and automation, artificial intelligence, sustainability and more,” shared Mr Lee.
“Here, innovation is not driven by technology, but it is industry-led, addressing problem statements raised by our members and featuring proven solutions that can be tested, adapted and refined to solve real construction challenges,” he explained, adding that “this will be complemented by content seminars and year-round engagement with the industry.”
Mr Lee also highlighted the importance of training and workforce development. At the new hub, “trainees can see, touch and engage with cutting-edge technologies – from the use of low-carbon concrete and off-form concrete finishes to green walls, flood protection gates and many super low-energy features.” He pointed out the building’s external wall that integrates vertical solar photovoltaic (PV) panels, an innovative solution which is still uncommon in Singapore.
The hub offers a second Construction Safety Orientation Course (CSOC) experiential training centre, alongside SCAL’s Gul Circle facility. Mr Lee mentioned that SCAL has introduced an experiential crane for lifting operations, combining theory and practice, “to give trainees a hands-on experience that prepares them for real-world challenges.”
The third pillar is connectivity. “The hub will feature dedicated spaces with multiple touchpoints to support members’ companies, providing practical advice on business set-up, grants, regulatory and compliance matters, safety and health guidance and mediation services,” said Mr Lee. The mediation and dispute consultation services are delivered through the Singapore Construction Mediation Centre (SCMC),
Speaking at the opening ceremony, Minister for National Development Chee Hong Tat urged the industry to push ahead with the next phase of the built environment (BE) sector’s transformation. He underlined a few of Singapore’s priorities going forward. “First, we need to accelerate productivity efforts across the entire building lifecycle to achieve greater savings in time, costs and manpower, and to overcome our resource constraints.
“The second thing is we need to continue to upskill our people. To support more firms’ transformation efforts, the BCA Academy and SCAL Academy have made available many courses, from advanced construction techniques to green building technologies, digital construction and more.”
Mr Chee further announced the establishment of an ‘Action Team’ to improve productivity in the BE sector. He chairs the team, while Alvin Tan, Minister of State for National Development & Trade and Industry, is the deputy chair. Members comprise representatives from government agencies and the industry (e.g. developers, consultants, contractors, facility managers and academics). SCAL’s Mr Lee is also a member. More on the Action Team here.
Other facilities at the SCAL Construction Hub include: a lounge, where members can network and collaborate; a multipurpose hall, which is configurable for events, workshops and seminars of varying scales; and the Lu Ban Hall, a symbolic gathering space set within the landscaped rooftop garden, honouring construction heritage and values.
Key initiatives
Moving forward, Mr Lee revealed SCAL’s plans to implement five key initiatives – starting with an open house on 7 and 9 February to welcome its members and partners.
From March, SCAL will have a monthly member consultation day, offering SMEs (small and medium-sized enterprises) direct access to guidance facilitated by SCAL committees and industry partners. “This will be complemented by quarterly member engagement sessions to ensure regular dialogue and feedback.”
Every quarter, SCAL will launch thematic weeks focused on manpower, safety, sustainability and productivity. The programmes will “combine talks, site visits, training activities and practical toolkits to drive real change on the ground.”
Next, SCAL will organise bi-yearly or yearly overseas learning trips, “in collaboration with international partners and our IFAPWCA counterpart associations, to broaden perspectives and learn from global practises,” added Mr Lee.
SCAL is a member of IFAWPCA (International Federation of Asian and Western Pacific Contractors’ Associations). In April 2025, the 47th IFAWPCA Convention took place in Singapore, hosted by SCAL at the Sands Expo and Convention Centre.
“And finally, we are exploring ways to enhance our members’ portal, including an expanded marketplace and a proposed Subcontractor Accreditation Scheme. These initiatives aim to support firms in building capabilities, raising visibility and advancing professionalism across the industry.”
SCAL said it will continue to work closely with government agencies, including the Ministry of National Development (MND), Building and Construction Authority (BCA), Ministry of Manpower (MOM), and more, to ensure industry transformation efforts are practical, grounded and aligned with national objectives.
“As SCAL approaches its 89 years, our mission remains clear,” asserted Mr Lee. “We are not only to be the voice of the industry but also committed to strengthening our people, fostering continuous improvement, encouraging shared learning and promoting collaboration, so that together, we build an industry that is professional, productive and progressive.”
