Strong Aviation Talent Pipeline Crucial To Matching Jobs In Growing Aviation Sector

The Civil Aviation Authority of Singapore (CAAS) has launched two initiatives which will expand aviation course options for students, as well as promote awareness and interest in aviation careers amongst the youth. The Higher NITEC in Airport Operations and a renewed Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with the Singapore Scout Association (SSA), announced last week by Minister for Education (Schools) and Second Minister for Transport, Mr Ng Chee Meng, are part of CAAS’ ongoing efforts to drive manpower development in the aviation sector.

“The Air Transport Industry Transformation Map, announced earlier this year, aims to create more than 8,000 new good jobs in the sector by 2025," said Mr Kevin Shum, Director-General of CAAS. "It is crucial that we augment the range of courses that prepare Singaporeans to enter our industry. Doing so will provide more opportunities for interested Singaporeans to pursue a career in aviation and to do well as aviation professionals.”

A new course, the Higher NITEC in Airport Operations, will be launched in April 2018. Developed in consultation with industry partners such as SATS and dnata, this course will prepare students to work in airport ground handling – ramp services, baggage handling, cargo handling and in-flight catering operations – areas which will see more job opportunities due to future airport development plans. 4 This course, together with existing courses such as the Higher NITEC in Passenger Services, will prepare students to take on a variety of front-line service oriented jobs.

“We are happy to collaborate with CAAS on this new program to nurture a new generation of highly skilled and service-oriented Ground Handling Specialists who can find fulfilling careers in the aviation industry," said Ms. Low Khah Gek, Chief Executive Officer, ITE. With high growth and transformation in the aviation industry, we will continue to work closely with lead agencies and aviation companies to promote career and growth opportunities for ITE graduates in the aviation sector."

CAAS also renewed its MOU with the SSA, to deepen the partnership in increasing awareness of aviation careers amongst youths through the Air Scout CoCurricular Activity (CCA). Launched in 2012, the Air Scout CCA provides members with exposure to aviation, through activities such as flight experiences and aeromodelling. The renewed MOU aims to strengthen CAAS and SSA’s collaboration, to further expand the outreach capabilities of the Air Scout programme, broaden the enrolment beyond students, as well as to promote partnership between the Air Scouts and the wider aviation community.

(Images provided with CAAS news release. Top: Mr. Ng Chee Meng, Minister for Education (Schools) and Second Minister for Transport, Singapore, and Mr Kevin Shum, Director-General of the Civil Aviation Authority of Singapore (CAAS), launching the Aviation Open House 2017. Lower: Ng Chee Meng touring the exhibits at the Aviation Open House 2017)

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