Singapore’s wafer fab parks are set to get a makeover as part of plans to rejuvenate Singapore’s industrial estates to create more vibrant manufacturing workplaces for Singapore’s future workforce.

Manufacturing is transforming at a rapid rate largely driven by digitalisation, a stronger focus on environment sustainability, and a corresponding demand for higher skilled manpower. In tandem, there is a need to renew Singapore’s industrial estates to support changing needs of industries and workers, and position Singapore for the future economy.

Enhancing connectivity and greening common spaces

Physical enhancements will start at Pasir Ris and Tampines wafer fab parks, where 5.3 km of sheltered walkways and 6.7 km of cycling paths will be built to connect the parks to the island-wide Park Connector Network and Round Island Route. The new links will enhance green connectivity to the wafer fab parks for walking and cycling, while the sheltered walkways will provide a more enjoyable walk to key amenity nodes and public bus stops.

JTC will also partner with the National Parks Board (NParks) on greenery enhancement and roadside plantings in these estates. The effort will both mitigate urban heat island (UHI) effect and enhance the attractiveness of the estates for businesses and the community. Lifestyle amenities and activities are also in the works to inject greater vibrancy in the estates.

These efforts are a series of planned enhancements for the two wafer fab parks that will take place between now and 2025. The wafer fab parks are located in close proximity to the Pasir Ris and Tampines residential estates. In time, JTC hopes that the common spaces in the estates will serve a dual purpose to also meet the recreational needs of surrounding residents.

A new plug-and-play solution for business

To support the growth of the semiconductor industry, JTC will be developing a new facility at Tampines to offer companies a quick-start plug-and-play solution. Named JTC semiconSpace, the vibration-controlled facility will feature high building specifications to meet the stringent requirements of semiconductor operations. The facility will be built in three phases, with the first phase expected to be completed in 2021.

Reaching out to the community

The estate enhancement plans were announced by Senior Minister of State Chee Hong Tat at the Electronics Industry Day held at the Tampines Wafer Fab Park. Organised in partnership with the Singapore Semiconductor Industry Association (SSIA), and with the support of educational institutes and companies from the wafer fab parks, the event is an effort to reach out to students to showcase the science and technology, and career opportunities in the semiconductor factories. This inaugural event saw the participation of 1,000 students from related fields across Institutes of Technical Education (ITEs), polytechnics and universities. These students were given a first preview of the estate enhancement plans as well as exciting career opportunities in the electronics sector.

Students went on exclusive tours to the factory premises of six electronics companies to learn about the work that goes on in the highly specialised sector, as well as the deployment of multidisciplinary teams in the research and development of new smart wearables, smart living and smart transport technologies. Twenty electronics companies also set up exhibition booths, where students could learn more about the various industries within the sector and their applications.

JTC’s Chief Executive Officer, Mr Ng Lang, said, “As the electronics sector moves into new applications and our manufacturing activities continue to evolve, our estates too, will need to evolve in order for Singapore to remain attractive as a manufacturing destination. These upcoming enhancements are a step forward in making our estates more conducive for our workers, and benefit broader communities in the vicinity.”.

Mr Ang Wee Seng, Executive Director of SSIA, said, “As the sector moves into new methods of manufacturing, having a relevant workforce that is well-equipped with skills that can meet new industry demands is more important than ever. By bringing companies and IHLs together to collaborate, it helps to build a close nexus between industry and academia that will go a long way in building a strong talent pipeline for the sector.”