Since the start of the new millennium, the Singapore Pest Management Association (SPMA) has been charting a course to imbue professionalism among its members, through recognized practical skills upgrading programmes and collaborative work involving Environmental Health Institute, Universiti Sains Malaysia, and Pest Management Companies, HACCP programmes with American Institute of Bakers, Pest Seminars from Learned Researchers and Specialists from foreign Institutes and Universities.

SPMA also works closely with the Ministry of Environment to keep abreast of pest, health and environmental concerns, so that pests management services of our members measure up to standards appropriate to Singapore.

In its National Skills Recognition System upgrading programme, SPMA together with Singapore Environment Institute have trained about 1,000 pest operatives for Preparing Pest Management Equipment, Treatment for Rodents and Mosquitoes.

The Association prides itself of having long-serving Council Members committed to this quest of furthering the acquisition of professional skills through relevant practical training and the setting of accreditation schemes.

The Association has a membership of 76 of which 18 companies are accredited under the SPMA Skills-Upgraded Recognition Scheme.

During this period, we also saw the entry of entomologists holding key appointments in our Industry.  This augurs well in raising the professionalism of our companies.  We have to do more, and in the next phase of our development, we are set to raise the bar even higher and in so doing entrants into our Industry will find fulfilling career opportunities and advancement.

The NSRS program will continue to include other modules. Seminars will go beyond the basic pests, and cover enlarged pest management roles. Relevant field literatures will be produced to help our Technicians and Professionals in this Industry.

We are moving into exciting times, despite the looming global financial crisis.  The only way forward is a continual investment in education and technology as the effects of global warming which is already here, will no doubt test our skills in coping with the many pest threats.

We have much to do and we need the collective support and active participation of all our members. 

Thank you.

Mr Andrew E L Chan