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SINGAPORE: Heavily affected by the impact of COVID-19 on commercial aviation, Singapore’s aerospace industry is getting a lifeline with the extension of the enhanced training support package to the sector, providing workers with more than 13,000 highly trained training locations. subsidized.
As part of the stabilization and support package announced by Deputy Prime Minister Heng Swee Keat earlier this year, the package aims to encourage companies to improve their employees and position themselves for recovery in the future.
The Minister of Trade and Industry Chan Chun Sing and the Minister of State for Manpower and Education Gan Siow Huang announced the measures on Tuesday (September 1) during a visit to a facility of Singapore Aero Engine Services Private Limited. (SAESL) in Loyang.
Chan said the package was a demonstration of Singapore’s confidence that the sector would finally recover.
“Although we have a little lower demand now, we are making the most of our time to make sure our workers are ready for the next level,” he said.
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The launch of the aerospace package will see SkillsFuture Singapore (SSG) provide companies with better training support from September 1 to December 31, 2020.
Companies that send their employees to industry-specific training programs will receive an enhanced payroll of absentee wages at 90 per cent of basic hourly wage, capped at S $ 10 per hour; as well as improved support for course fees up to 90 percent of course fees, compared to 50 percent.
SSG and the Singapore Economic Development Board (EDB) will work with five designated training providers to increase their training capacity during this period, namely the National University of Singapore, NTUC LearningHub, SIA Engineering Company, ST Engineering Aerospace and Temasek Polytechnic, will offer together about 100 courses.
Together, they will offer around 100 courses, including Aerospace Safety and Quality Management System and WSQ (Workforce Skills Qualification) Perform General Aircraft Maintenance.
These courses are intended to help workers deepen their knowledge in areas such as aircraft maintenance and regulatory frameworks.
SSG and EDB worked closely with trade associations and chambers, as well as trade unions to develop relief measures, and also collaborated with aerospace companies, such as SAESL and General Electric Aviation, to understand their needs.
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Singapore’s aerospace sector, which employs more than 22,000 people, with industry output exceeding S $ 11 billion in 2018, has been severely affected by the coronavirus pandemic, and companies such as US aerospace giant Pratt & Whitney announced layoffs in recent months.
“Unions lobbied hard for an enhanced aerospace industry training and support package to support worker training during this lull as part of our efforts to save jobs,” said Aviation and Aerospace Group Vice President. NTUC (National Congress of Trade Unions). Sazali Zainal.
“We urge companies to make the most of this opportunity to deepen worker skills and, more importantly, work with the union to overcome any challenges they may face during this difficult time,” added Sazali, who is also president. from Singapore Industrial. and the Service Employees Union.
EDB Managing Director Chng Kai Fong said that while the impact of COVID-19 on the global aerospace industry was severe and was expected to last for some time, the enhanced training support package “would enable aerospace companies to improve their performance. job skills in preparation for eventual recovery and growth. “
He added: “Over the years, we have created good jobs and developed core capabilities in the industry to serve global markets. The aerospace industry continues to be an important industry for Singapore and EDB will continue to work with aerospace companies to overcome this difficult period, while preserving jobs and skills. “
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Since February, the enhanced training support package has been extended to six other sectors: tourism, air transport, retail, food services, land transport, as well as arts and culture.
More than 35,000 employees from 920 companies have filled almost 84,000 training places under the package since then.
