A Glimpse Into Gamuda’s Award-Winning HR Strategies

As a regional player in the infrastructure and property development industry, we consistently attribute our success to our invaluable asset – our people. The Group’s recent triple victory at the HR Excellence Awards (HREA) 2023 has further underscored our dedication to cultivating our human resource (HR) strategies. The HREA is a prestigious platform showcasing best-in-class HR teams and is the region’s only peer-reviewed HR award.

Wong Lye Ling, senior general manager of Group Human Resources and Administration at Gamuda is quick to point out that this triumph was a collective achievement, saying: “It’s not just the HR team, it’s Gamuda as a group.”

A blueprint for fostering talent

At Gamuda, talent development aligns closely with the larger business framework. In this sense, the HR team serves as a strategic partner to the overall company’s long-term goals.

The company’s structured talent management process, leadership development programmes and digitised global HR platform have helped the Group build a strong talent and leadership pipeline. The latter in particular, will lay the foundation for garnering deeper insights into Gamuda’s workforce and driving informed decision-making for the future.

Wong added that Gamuda also focuses on investing in the growth of our internal talents. “The three key pillars of our HR philosophy are hiring the right people, developing them, and retaining them. This was reflected in our wins at HREA, as all the awards were centred around human development,” she said.

Finding and retaining excellence

Gamuda’s forward-thinking HR policies can be seen in how the company assesses talent. Instead of just relying on paper qualifications and current ability, employees are also gauged holistically on their future potential. Tan Tho Wei, head of Talent Management and Organisational Development, explained that Gamuda’s core values — such as taking personal ownership, walking the talk, and demonstrating real teamwork — have been instrumental in shaping high-impact leaders within the organisation. 

In addition to feedback from team leaders, Gamuda’s HR team also utilises staff data to glean a richer picture of an employee’s potential — this may include a relatively quick career progression, a consistently impressive year-on-year performance or the capacity to handle multiple portfolios.

Retaining talent is often seen as the ultimate litmus test for a company’s HR strategies. Gamuda accomplishes this through a formula that integrates competitive remuneration, rewarding career opportunities and a positive work environment. Our structured approach to career progression further offers employees a clear and transparent view of their pathways for professional advancement.

When it comes to designing talent development programmes, Tan said the broader Gamuda landscape is a primary consideration. “By regularly talking to business leaders, we can understand what the Group’s priorities are in the coming years, and our talent development will be tailored to support these initiatives. Gathering feedback on our programmes is also crucial for us to continuously improve on our initiatives and make them more effective,” he said.

Creating a diverse, inclusive and positive culture

Gamuda has emerged as a trailblazer for female empowerment. With family-friendly policies supporting both genders in areas such as childcare, coupled with women-centric development initiatives, the company has fostered a remarkably inclusive corporate culture.

However, inclusion at Gamuda goes far beyond gender alone. Our Enabling Academy, for instance, provides training and sources sustainable employment opportunities for individuals with autism. As Tan aptly summarised, Gamuda’s approach to diversity is about fostering an environment where a variety of perspectives are welcomed. “It’s more about how we are able to complement each other and learn from each other,” he said.

This approach further builds into Gamuda’s larger vision of creating a positive and supportive culture. In Tan’s words: “If the environment gives you a positive vibe, it motivates you to go to work every day, despite challenging roles and responsibilities.”

Gamuda’s award-winning approach to human resource management highlights the power of progressive and strategic HR practices in fostering a thriving work environment. However, the team is also keenly aware of the need to remain adaptable — the company’s focus on digitisation and artificial intelligence is a testament to this. “We’ve started the journey, but there’s a lot more to do. Again, our focus depends on what our business needs and priorities are,” said Wong.

A reflection on our achievements and the path forward

Meet Vivian and Rachel, key members of the award submission team. Their contribution in showcasing the Group’s initiatives, practices and culture played a crucial role in securing our award victories.

“The process of preparing the award submission acted as a reminder and reflection on the inspiring women I’ve had the opportunity to collaborate and glean inspiration from. At the end of the day, I’m proud that the Group’s efforts in driving women’s empowerment have bore its fruits, and have gained recognition in our passion.”

“This experience of writing the award submission was gratifying. It helped us reflect on our accomplishments and capabilities – underscoring the substantial growth we’ve achieved.”

More than a testament to our past endeavours, these awards are a beacon of inspiration for our dedicated workforce to make continuous improvements in excelling and redefining industry standards. The journey doesn’t end here; it’s an ongoing commitment to excellence, innovation, and a future where we continue to set new benchmarks.