Speech by MOS Alvin Tan at the opening of ITE-ST Engineering’s Onboarding Aviation Skillls, Knowledge and Innovation Learning Laboratory (Onboarding@SKILL) Facility

Ms Low Khah Gek, Chief Executive Officer, ITE

Mr Seng Chin Chye, Principal, ITE College Central

Mr Jeffrey Lam, President Commercial Aerospace, ST Engineering

Mr Tay Eng Guan, Head of Engine Services, ST Engineering

Distinguished Guests, Ladies and Gentlemen,

I am delighted to officiate the opening of Onboarding@SKILL, an innovative learning laboratory created from a partnership between the Institute of Technical Education (ITE) and ST Engineering. It is important – why is it important? It prepares our youths to benefit from the continued growth in the aerospace industry.

Resilient Growth of the Aerospace Industry

2. So today and this morning, I thought as I was writing my speech, I would touch on three points. The first is - why our aerospace sector is exciting. Second, how we are preparing our youths to take on opportunities in the sector and third, what our youths, who are all here, can do. Why is it exciting, what we are doing and what you all can do to take on these opportunities together. First, why is our aerospace sector exciting? Many of you all know that the global economic situation is quite tenuous, quite uncertain, but there are a few bright sparks. Yesterday, you would have seen Prime Minister breaking ground on Terminal 5, the size of Terminals 1 to 4 put together. It shows Singapore’s long-term planning, it shows Singapore’s bullishness on our aviation as well as our aerospace sector. Specific to our aerospace sector - Singapore's aerospace industry has demonstrated remarkable resilience, emanating from a post-COVID recovery. How? Let me present some numbers. Our aerospace industry has achieved an impressive output last year, estimated to be more than $18 billion – now that represents a robust growth of over 15 per cent year-on-year.

3. Singapore has also established itself as the leading Maintenance, Repair and Overhaul (MRO) hub in Asia, having built a strong reputation for reliability, efficiency and innovation. Today, Singapore accounts for 10% of global MRO output and is home to a vibrant ecosystem of over 130 aerospace companies.

4. And with this strong investment interest in the aerospace sector, we expect over 2,500 jobs to be created over the next three to five years. And these jobs are exciting, these jobs are innovative, these jobs are for you and for all of us to scale up and also to take on, which leads me to my second point. Now you know that the aerospace sector is thriving, it is doing well, and we are behind it, what are we doing to prepare you to take on these impressive and interesting jobs in the aerospace sector.

Flying Start in Aerospace Training

5. That is why we are now launching Onboarding@SKILL, which emphasises practical, hands-on experience with cutting-edge technologies that are reshaping engine MRO processes and deployed by companies like ST Engineering. I am looking forward to seeing how the students here will get to utilise augmented reality systems for hands-free aero-engine inspections, operate robotic arms for automated polishing, and master virtual engine test cell simulators for diagnostics. This is a very dynamic training environment and it ensures that our students are at that cutting edge, learning these skills and to attain skills that the industry values, treasures and wants.

6. Students will also apply their skills on actual aircraft engines which are retired from service. They are generously donated by the Republic of Singapore Air Force and allow for quick translation of theoretical knowledge into practical application. This is why industry partnerships have become important and integral in the Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) scene – this is important so that we can prepare our students and our youths to take on these jobs that we are creating, which I mentioned earlier on. So I have mentioned that the aerospace sector is growing, I have mentioned what we are doing to prepare you for skills, and now, the ball, or engine is in your court, or in your airplane. Let me articulate what you can do.

Rewarding Career Pathways

7. First, there are and we are going to be seeing and meeting with students who are taking on these work-study diploma programmes which offer a 70% work and 30% study split. Students will receive real-world training to kickstart their careers with globally leading aerospace companies, with recognised certification. With these opportunities, the aerospace sector is a good example of an advanced manufacturing industry that provides both good jobs and rewarding careers for our students.

8. I am told of an inspiring story of a former student Desmond Poh. Desmond’s journey began in 2010 as an intern at ST Engineering, while he concurrently studied for his Nitec in Aerospace Technology. After National Service, he returned to ST Engineering as a technician, where his potential quickly became evident to supervisors. Through rotations across various sections of the MRO operations, Desmond built a strong foundation in shopfloor operations. 

9. His continued commitment led him to pursue a diploma in Singapore and undergo specialised training in France. Over his 11-year journey with ST Engineering, Desmond embraced various leadership opportunities and rose to become a Workshop Engineer leading teams and operations. He worked on new and emerging technologies, and most importantly, ensured the safety of millions, including our families and friends, who take to the skies.

10. Desmond's progression from an intern to a Workshop Engineer is a shining example of the fulfilling career pathways available to our students, where one can not just learn very exciting technical skills, but also make a meaningful impact on people's lives, and Onboarding@SKILL will do just that - to strengthen our aerospace talent pipeline by providing hands-on experiences with new advanced manufacturing technologies. I share Desmond’s story in the hopes that there will be many, many more “Desmonds” that we can produce together, with ITE as well as ST Engineering, and inspire our students to learn from the example, to take on meaningful and exciting jobs in the aerospace sector.

Conclusion

11. In conclusion, thank you so much, ST Engineering, for bringing industry closer together, to learn and to train. Thank you to ITE as well as ST Engineering for nurturing young talent for Singapore's aerospace sector. Through these collaborations, we can first grow the sector, equip our students and let our students take flight. Thank you very much for your collaboration.