We operate in a fast-paced and ever-changing environment driven by the rapid advances of technology. As such, organisations and people will need to be adaptable and resilient in order to succeed in the modern economy.

As a statutory board, JTC’s mandate is much larger – it has to work closely with industrialists and enterprises to address their pressing needs and enable them to stay ahead of the curve. At the same time, the organisation takes the lead in leveraging innovation and technology across the whole value chain of infrastructure development to prepare Singapore for the future economy.

JTC Scholar Tan Yang En gives us insights into how it is like working in such a visionary organisation.

A Desire for Change

At JTC, you can trust that the work you do will make a difference. Its landmark projects span across Singapore and include Jurong Island, one-north, Seletar Aerospace Park and revolutionary next-generation estates like Jurong Innovation District and Punggol Digital District. JTC’s contribution to Singapore’s growth aligns perfectly with Yang En’s personal goals. He explains, “I have always wanted to shape Singapore’s economic landscape in a tangible manner by helping industrialists directly. JTC takes on the whole value-chain of industrial infrastructure development – from master-planning, development, project management, marketing and leasing to facilities management. This allows me to play a part in supporting the growth of new industries and existing enterprises.”

Economic Leaders

Today, Yang En works as a Cluster Officer in the Startup Department where he plays an active part in helping startups grow. He elaborates, “This involves curating the tenant mix within JTC LaunchPad @ one-north – home to an ecosystem of budding entrepreneurs, fast-growing startups, and investors. Apart from maintaining relations with existing customers such as Shopback and Glints, I also actively market LaunchPad as Singapore’s ‘Silicon Valley’ to prospective startups, incubators, and venture capitalists. More than a mere landlord managing tenancies, my role in JTC requires me to be constantly plugged into the ecosystem, interacting with startup founders to gain deeper understanding of their businesses and learning about industry trends. I can play a substantial role in shaping policies, and even enhancing our facilities to suit their evolving needs. Knowing that every decision I make has the potential to impact the future of Singapore’s startup scene, I feel immensely proud to be contributing to this mission.”

An Ongoing Learning Experience

Yang En’s role in helping to develop Singapore’s industrial growth is no easy task. They are kept on their toes with new and different challenges every day. He tells us that he has gained the skills necessary for his job today from his internships and is constantly learning on the job. “I have been exposed to diverse job functions across the organisation over the course of two internships. My first internship was in the policy and research department which gave me a deeper understanding of policy formation and market research. The second one, which is the department I am currently at, gave me experience in a more operational and customer-facing role. In my current job, I am required to work with fellow Government agencies like MTI and SPRING to shape policies and influence decisions that will support the growth of the startup ecosystem. On a personal level, this has helped me to hone my communication skills,” he shares.

Notes to Future Leaders

As our interview came to a close, Yang En left a few words of wisdom for aspiring JTC scholars, “With JTC's open culture that welcomes different ideas and approaches, you will be involved in unique ground-breaking projects on a national level. If you are looking for a job that stretches your creativity and pushes your boundaries, search no further. JTC is the place for you.”