Singapore has launched an initiative to attract more locals to take up a career as a marine engineer. The joint venture between unions, government and industry aims to address an acute shortage.
A new S$1.2 million Tripartite Engineering Training Award (TETA) Programme was launched by Lim Swee Say, the Minister for Manpower.
According to a press release, TETA is a joint initiative by Singapore Maritime Officers’ Union (SMOU), Singapore Workforce Development Agency (WDA), National Trades Union Congress’ Employment and Employability Institute (e2i).
Speaking at the Devan Nair Institute, Lim said: "Seafarers form a key segment of our maritime workforce... With an increasing use of technology, we must equip our seafarers with a higher level of knowledge and skills, and attract more to join this sector."
TETA is targeted at Singaporean citizens and permanent residents with at least Higher National Institute of Technical Education Certificate qualifications, though there were also cadets with diplomas, said organisers.
The programme's first intake of nine cadets have already started the first phase of classroom-based training last year. This phase will last nine months, following which the cadets will spend 15 months at sea.
The final phase of the programme is a seven-month preparatory course and examinations, before cadets who pass the course graduate to become officers.
This programme, which is part of the Continuous Education and Training (CET) route, is targeted at those who have completed their National Service with an engineering background from ITE Higher Nitec and for those who are looking for a career switch.
“Over the years, we have noticed the manpower issues, in particular the dwindling number of Singaporean seafaring officers and marine engineers willing to embark on this career,” SMOU General Secretary, Mary Liew said.