Working at HDB: Company History, Culture, Benefits, and Leadership

Joining the Housing and Development Board (HDB) is more than just a job; it's a chance to contribute to Singaporean society's core. As a key player in the nation's development, HDB shapes skylines and provides homes to countless individuals and families. 

In this blog, Aniday will delve into what working at HDB entails—its rich history, vibrant corporate culture, enticing employee benefits, and dynamic leadership steering the organization toward a sustainable and community-centric future.

Company History: Building the Foundation

The story of HDB began in 1960, during a critical housing crisis in Singapore. With a rapidly growing population and insufficient housing, the government established HDB to address the urgent need for affordable and quality homes. HDB constructed tons of flats in just a fe­w years, boosting Singaporeans' living situations. Now, HDB is an example­ of successful city planning and growth - it helped morph Singapore­ into a city that scores high in modernity and livability.

Corporate Culture

HDB's corporate culture is a beacon for innovation, people-centricity, and resilience. HDB's focus is on more than just buildings. It's cre­ating places people love­ to live in, with sustainability and energy. It's all about "Touching Live­s" - showing how HDB's work enhances life quality and promote­s community spirit. Embracing challenges is not just encouraged but celebrated, as employees dive into exciting projects that contribute to the organization's ongoing success.

Benefits That Build Success: Development Opportunities and Staff Well-Being

One of the key attractions of working at HDB lies in the array of development opportunities provided to employees. From competency training and job rotations to special projects and overseas conferences, HDB invests in its workforce, ensuring continuous learning and growth. The provision of postgraduate scholarships reflects a commitment to nurturing talent for the long term.

1. Development Opportunities

Competency Training:

• This likely involves training programs aimed at enhancing specific skills and competencies relevant to employees' roles.

Job Rotations, Secondments, and Training Attachments:

• Employees may have the chance to gain diverse experiences and perspectives through job rotations, secondments, and training attachments, contributing to their professional development.

Cross-Functional Work Teams and Committees:

• Participation in cross-functional teams and committees suggests opportunities for collaboration across different departments, fostering a holistic understanding of the organization's functions.

Special Projects:

• Involvement in special projects can provide employees with unique challenges and opportunities to apply and expand their skills in real-world situations.

Postgraduate Scholarships:

• The availability of postgraduate scholarships indicates a commitment to supporting employees' academic pursuits, contributing to their long-term professional growth.

Overseas Conferences, Seminars, and Study Trips:

• Opportunities to attend conferences, seminars, and study trips abroad suggest a commitment to exposing employees to international perspectives and best practices.

2. Staff Benefits

Conducive and Family-Friendly Work Environment:

• The emphasis on a conducive and family-friendly work environment indicates a commitment to employee well-being and work-life balance.

Nurturing Employees to Their Fullest Potential:

• This suggests a focus on individual growth and development, recognizing and supporting employees in reaching their full potential.

Comprehensive Suite of Benefits:

• The provision of vacation leave, medical and dental subsidies, flexible benefits, and sports and recreational facilities indicates a commitment to the overall well-being of employees.

Flexibility and Comprehensive Support:

• Flexible benefits suggest an acknowledgment of diverse employee needs and preferences, allowing individuals to tailor their benefits to suit their unique circumstances.

Overall, the combination of development opportunities and staff benefits at HDB indicates a holistic approach to employee growth, well-being, and satisfaction, fostering an environment where employees can thrive both professionally and personally.

Scholarships and Internships at the Housing and Development Board (HDB)

Explore opportunities with HDB, a key player in Singapore's housing landscape. Join us in making a positive impact on communities through scholarships and internships.

1. Scholarships: Gateway to a Rewarding Career

The HDB Scholarship opens doors to a rewarding career and a future filled with possibilities. By joining HDB through the scholarship program, you become part of an organization that goes beyond constructing buildings; it shapes the very landscape of public housing in Singapore. The scholarship is a testament to HDB's commitment to nurturing talents who are eager to contribute to the nation's housing development and community well-being.

2. Specialist Scholarship: Build a Career with Impact

For those aspiring to build a specialist career, the HDB Specialist Scholarship is a unique opportunity. Join Singapore's largest housing developer and become a specialist in your chosen field. The Specialist Scholarship is designed to support and develop individuals who have a passion for specific areas of expertise relevant to HDB's mission. Whether your interest lies in urban planning, architecture, engineering, or any other specialized field, HDB provides a platform to excel and make a tangible impact on the nation's housing landscape.

Internships: Experience the Future of Public Housing

An internship with HDB offers the opportunity to directly see the process of influencing public housing policy, making it more than just a job. Both undergraduate and polytechnic students can take advantage of HDB's structured internship program, which offers a rare chance to get a close-up look at the organization's daily operations, ongoing projects, and culture. It's a great way to gain practical insights into the dynamic field of public housing and discover potential career paths within HDB.

Whether you are passionate about urban planning, sustainable development, or contributing to community well-being, an internship with HDB allows you to explore diverse aspects of the organization. It's a stepping stone towards understanding the complexities and challenges of the housing sector while gaining valuable hands-on experience.

Leadership: Guiding the Vision

The leadership team at HDB is a blend of experience and expertise, steering the organization toward its vision of a sustainable and community-focused future. Mr. Tan Meng Dui, the Chief Executive Officer since February 2021, brings with him a wealth of experience from his previous role as the CEO of the National Environment Agency. His leadership aligns with the mission of making Singapore a more liveable and sustainable city.

Accompanying Mr. Tan is a diverse group of leaders, each contributing their unique skills to the organization. From Mr. Stephen Lim's role as CEO of SQL View Pte Ltd to Ms. Jacqueline Loh's responsibilities as Deputy Managing Director for Corporate Development in the Monetary Authority of Singapore, the leadership team embodies a collaborative spirit that reflects HDB's commitment to excellence.

For the blog post, Aniday delves into HDB Singapore, highlighting its commitment to inclusive housing, innovative culture, and community engagement. Join HDB for a workplace that's more than a job—it's a community building Singapore's future.