10 April 2014

MPA, WDA and e2i step up efforts to attract Singapore workers to the harbour craft sector

The Maritime and Port Authority of Singapore (MPA), Singapore Workforce Development Agency (WDA) and the e2i (Employment and Employability Institute) today announced a new training programme designed to attract Singaporeans into the harbour craft sector as tug masters.

This new initiative was announced by Mrs Josephine Teo, Senior Minister of State for Finance and Transport, at the graduation ceremony of the Certificate of Competency (CoC) (Special Limits) programme held today.

The maritime industry is one of the key economic pillars of Singapore. However in the past, the job opportunities and awareness were not well known among Singaporeans. In recent years, e2i, MPA and WDA have been working closely together to provide training and job opportunities for locals and skilled manpower for the industry.

Port Limit Tug Master Programme

Operating within Singapore port waters, harbour craft tug masters play an important role in the efficient movement of ocean-going vessels entering, berthing, un-berthing and leaving the Port of Singapore.

Currently, there is no structured training programme to train helmsmen to operate tugboats. Towage companies take more than two years to groom a tug master through on-job-training. MPA recognised this gap and worked closely with towage service providers and training provider STET Maritime Pte Ltd to develop a comprehensive training programme for tug masters.

The 15-month Port Limit Tug Master Programme will cover both theoretical and practical training. (Refer to Annex A for details of the programme).

The career comes with opportunities for further progression. With good performance and work experience of about five years, the tug master can further upgrade to become a shore-based operations controller or trainer. In addition, tug masters who aspire to become a Special Limit Deck officers can qualify for the Special Limit Deck Officer programme if they complete a further 24 months of sea service.

"The harbour craft sector is an important part of the maritime industry and a good source of employment for Singaporeans. It offers viable career opportunities with good pay and job advancement prospects. We are pleased to work with e2i, WDA, partners from the industry and the unions, to roll out new programmes to attract more Singaporeans to the harbour craft sector," says Mr Andrew Tan, Chief Executive of MPA.

"The maritime industry remains a growing sector with good jobs for Singaporeans. Thus e2i, MPA and WDA have been working closely together to provide training and job opportunities for locals and skilled manpower for the industry. I am pleased to see the latest batch of CoC (Special Limits) cadets graduate. To further develop new career pathways, the partners will collaborate on a new Tug Master Programme which will equip more locals to further their passion in the maritime industry," says Mr Gilbert Tan, Chief Executive Officer of e2i.

"WDA is committed to developing a pipeline of skilled local talent to meet the manpower needs of the maritime industry. It is important for Singaporeans to embrace lifelong learning and skills upgrading, so that they can continue to secure good jobs and remain relevant amid ever-changing workplace demands. WDA will continue to collaborate with government agencies, e2i and other industry stakeholders to introduce more skills upgrading programmes that keep Singaporeans at the core of the local workforce," says Mr Ng Cher Pong, Chief Executive of WDA.

The first intake of the new tug master programme will commence in 3rd quarter 2014 and is expected to groom 50 tug masters over the next two years.

CoC (Special Limits) Graduation Ceremony

Since 2011, MPA, WDA and e2i have committed close to $12 million to groom Singaporeans to take up seafaring careers on board vessels that sail in and around Singapore, under the CoC (Special Limits) Place-and-Train programmes for Deck Officers and Marine Engineer Officers.

A total of 44 seafaring officers graduated from the pioneering batches of the Deck Officer and Marine Engineer (Special Limits) training programmes. Guest-of-Honour, Mrs Josephine Teo, presented officer insignias to 19 of the 44 graduates who passed their professional exams and obtained their Certificates of Competency.

The CoC (Special Limits) programmes have attracted a total of 155 deck cadets and 57 engineer cadets to date.

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About the Maritime and Port Authority of Singapore (MPA)
The Maritime and Port Authority of Singapore (MPA) was established on 2 February 1996, with the mission to develop Singapore as a premier global hub port and international maritime centre (IMC), and to advance and safeguard Singapore's strategic maritime interests. MPA is the driving force behind Singapore's port and maritime development, taking on the roles of Port Authority, Port Regulator, Port Planner, IMC Champion, and National Maritime Representative. MPA partners the industry and other agencies to enhance safety, security and environmental protection in our port waters, facilitate port operations and growth, expand the cluster of maritime ancillary services, and promote maritime R&D and manpower development.

About the e2i (Employment and Employability Institute)
As THE leading organisation to create solutions for better employment and employability, e2i exists to create better jobs and better lives for workers. Since 2008, we have helped 200,000 workers through providing better jobs, developing better skills through professional development, and improving productivity for companies. An initiative of the National Trades Union Congress (NTUC), supported by the Workforce Development Agency (WDA), the Singapore Labour Foundation (SLF), and the Singapore National Employers' Federation (SNEF), e2i serves all segments of workers, from rank-and-file to professionals, managers and executives. Visit www.e2i.com.sg for more information.

About the Singapore Workforce Development Agency (WDA)
The Singapore Workforce Development Agency (WDA) enhances the competitiveness of our workforce by encouraging workers to learn for life and advance with skills. In today's economy, most jobs require not just knowledge, but also skills. WDA collaborates with employers, industry associations, the Union and training organisations, to develop and strengthen the Continuing Education and Training system that is skills-based, open and accessible, as a mainstream pathway for all workers - young and older, from rank and file to professionals and executives - to upgrade and advance in their careers and lives. For more information, please visit www.wda.gov.sg.