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SINGAPORE – He may be 67, but Francis Chew had no qualms about going back to school to pick up a new skill.
After four decades in the food and beverage (F&B) sector, Chew left his job this year as a senior manager at a company that manages restaurants, to start an SGUnited maritime business management skills program at Singapore Polytechnic.
This was after he landed one of over 1,000 training and bonding opportunities in the maritime industry for recent graduates and mid-career individuals under the various SGUnited Programs.
The Government had announced for the first time 200 openings in August this year.
On Thursday (October 22), the Minister of State for Transport and Foreign Affairs, Chee Hong Tat, said that there are now 800 additional vacancies available in the maritime industry.
Chew had worked for various food and beverage establishments for more than 40 years, including McDonald’s.
In 2017, a company he worked for commissioned him to fly to Australia to set up a restaurant. But the Covid-19 pandemic hit the industry hard.
Sensing a lack of prospects, he decided to part ways with the company and left on good terms.
But instead of retiring, he decided to explore a new industry.
At a trade show, he learned about the course at the Singapore Polytechnic.
The part-time diploma program enables Mr. Chew, who has a GCE level A certificate, to gain new mastery knowledge while receiving a monthly allowance of $ 1,200.
After the grants, he paid $ 1,000 to attend the course, of which $ 500 came from his SkillsFuture Credit.
Those who take the program are taught skills in shipping and logistics operations, and offshore management.
Chew said his interest in the maritime industry was piqued during the circuit breaker in April. You also learned that it is a growth area.
“I need to keep learning how to maintain my physical and mental health and my active lifestyle,” Chew said of the other benefits of acquiring a new skill.
“At 67 years old, I am still active, I can still run and swim. I want to live happily and healthily.”
Chew started the course on October 5, but has already looked for work.
“The maritime industry is very broad and I want to at least know what roles I can take on in the future.”
Like Mr. Chew, Mr. Luqmanul Yusof is also new to the maritime industry.
The 23-year-old has taken up a nine-month internship as a technical assistant at Bernhard Schulte Ship Management.
His responsibilities include supporting the acquisition and certification of vessels.
It started in July this year, after graduating from the University of Plymouth in Great Britain with a degree in maritime business and logistics.
“Now I am based in the office and I am still learning things. Next month, I will have the opportunity to get on board a ship.
“I’m excited like I’ve never been on a cargo ship before,” said the recent graduate, who receives a monthly allowance.
His interest in the maritime sector was sparked in high school by friends and family who worked on ships in various roles as engineers.
“I think … the maritime industry is slowly gaining exposure among young people,” said Mr. Luqmanul.
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