As Featured in: The Straits Times
Updated: Mar 10
Farmer, plumber, lift technician: More young people in Singapore drawn to skilled trades
SINGAPORE – Growing up, Mr Daniel Yap, 32, had always wanted to be a musician, do research or follow his father’s path to becoming an engineer.
He ended up studying materials science and engineering in university, but it was his side hustle – watering, growing and selling plants – that held the most attraction.
It turned out to be the “best thing” he did despite growing opportunities in other fields, and Mr Yap kept at it.
Today, he manages his farm, Noi Gardens, in Singapore full time, and recently expanded to Johor Bahru, developing operations there. He has about 18 employees in both places.
Mr Yap is among a growing number of younger workers, especially millennials and Gen Zs, who not only find a hands-on career rewarding, but are also enticed by the tangible fruits that come from entrepreneurship.
Observers told The Straits Times that the growing interest in traditional skilled trades such as landscaping and plumbing can be attributed to younger workers hoping to become their own boss one day, with some considering it at least a part-time career.
Entrepreneurial pull
Licensed plumber Geraldine Goh, 31, who started her own plumbing business, Agraffe, in 2017 after a stint as a facilities management officer at a town council, said she has noticed a shift where younger people are attempting to enter the industry.
Mr Shameer Khan, 22, said he joined BCA Academy’s plumbing and pipe-fitting course to widen his skills and expand his interior renovation company’s service offerings.
“I chose plumbing over carpentry due to its wide coverage, including sewage systems, fire protection and water installation.”
Another student from the course, Mr Yeo Kai Xun, 23, wanted to leverage his architecture knowledge but hoped to pursue his passion for fixing things by obtaining a plumbing licence, building a practical, hands-on career in the built environment sector.
Ms Goh, who is also a certified trainer running the basic domestic plumbing course at property management company Exceltec, said she envisions herself sharing her work experience with her juniors. “Many experienced plumbers with decades of hands-on knowledge are retiring. If younger people don’t step in to learn these skills now, we risk losing critical troubleshooting expertise that can’t be replaced overnight.”
While there are project plumbers whose services are focused on large commercial projects, she is more passionate about maintenance work in people’s homes, including HDB, condominium and landed properties.
“Diagnosing real causes of issues like recurring leaks, concealed pipe failures, choked pipelines or poor water pressure requires deep understanding. It’s the passion for helping others and solving problems, and whether you have the heart to help people.”
Mr Yap said of his experience: “It was like this farming life chose me instead.”
Managing the business got him hooked, as he learnt new things daily, travelled to places like Thailand, Malaysia, Holland, Australia and Taiwan, and was able to see how people run their farms and sell produce in their own unique ways.
“It’s almost like finding out the very things that make people happy across the world.
“When I started, I had to do all the watering and growing myself, and after a while, I set up systems in place to grow the plants. I am still working on improving the technical aspects of it,” said Mr Yap, whose business focuses on wholesale and e-commerce.
While he started out selling a lot of adeniums, commonly known as desert roses, and fruit plants, he kept changing the plants he sells – from succulents to ferns, caudex, aroids, bonsai and others. Mr Yap now has the whole range, offers landscaping services, and he recently started growing grass.
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