Migrant Worker Sandbox
We are creating a new migrant labour recruitment model between businesses and a strong local partner to cut out the middlemen and bring qualified, productive workers to Singapore at a lower cost to both employers and workers.
Workers undergoing a theory class at the BRAC Institute for Skills Development to prepare for the SEC(K) test.
The migrant worker sandbox scheme is a new initiative launched by Asia Philanthropy Circle (APC) and BOP Hub that supports employers in Singapore in recruiting skilled construction workers from Bangladesh, while reducing recruitment fees that workers pay.
Workers who are recruited through this pathway come with relevant skill sets and a vocational certificate accredited by the Bangladesh government. Their experience equips them to work more efficiently, contributing to increased productivity and a streamlined onboarding process.
Why use this pathway to recruit skilled workers?
Direct recruitment of skilled workers with experience: We are working with BRAC, one of the largest NGOs in the world and is highly respected in Bangladesh. With their reputation and extensive network across Bangladesh, BRAC is capable of sourcing skilled workers who can meet each employer’s specific requirements. Many of these workers have also had experience in working abroad.
No cost to the employer and minimal fees paid by migrant workers: The costs of migration will be borne by BRAC and the workers. BRAC will keep the cost incurred by workers at a minimal level to ensure that they are not overburdened financially. Lowering the cost of migration not only makes this migration pathway more attractive to workers but also enables employers to draw the best talent from Bangladesh to Singapore.
Enhanced Worker Preparation Beyond SEC(K) Test: BRAC’s training encompasses technical skills and workplace safety, ensuring workers are not just SEC(K)-ready but also well-prepared for their roles. Engaging in this program grants access to a pool of better-trained and equipped workers.
With BRAC, workers are already equipped with the needed construction skills to immediately engage in projects
How it works
The sandbox provides an alternative pathway to allow the employers to recruit experienced
workers from Bangladesh possessing vocational certificates in related construction trades (to be deployed in Singapore), apart from the existing training and testing system involving Overseas Testing Centres (OTCs). Through this pathway, skilled workers with a vocational certificate issued by the Bangladesh government could come to Singapore directly, where they can take the SEC(K) test to validate their skill standards.
APC, BRAC and BOP Hub will oversee the entire recruitment process. This includes screening workers based on employers’ needs, supporting these workers in obtaining a government-issued vocational certificate in Bangladesh, preparing them for the SEC(K) test in Singapore, and assisting them in making all the necessary arrangements to relocate to Singapore. A dedicated team of counsellors follows up with workers post-arrival, offering psychological and social support to ensure a smooth settling-in process.
Workers will receive ongoing support from a dedicated team of BRAC counselors to facilitate their smooth transition into life in Singapore.
BOP Hub is a Singapore-based business accelerator platform. We aim to create an efficient marketplace for communities at the base of the pyramid by supporting entrepreneurship, connecting partners and sharing resources for social entrepreneurs and business ventures to access BOP markets.
Asia Philanthropy Circle (APC) is a community of philanthropists collaborating to chart a better future for Asia. Founded in 2015 by Asia-based philanthropists to encourage peer exchange, APC has grown to over 60 members across 13 markets.
We are home to a diverse network of philanthropists—across generations and interests—seeking collective impact together. Our members give in financial and human capital, champion social innovation for public good, and pioneer collaborative initiatives to build the social impact ecosystem and address systemic challenges.
BRAC is the world’s largest development organisation, with headquarters in Bangladesh and operations in 11 countries. It has been ranked the world’s No.1 NGO five times in a row, and acts as a catalyst to create opportunities for people living in poverty. Its diverse portfolio of services include BRAC Probashbandhu Limited (BPL), BRAC’s own recruitment agency, and BRAC Institute of Skills Development (BISD), a registered training organisation in Bangladesh providing National Technical Vocational Qualification Framework training.