More than 60% of vacancies filled

1 There has been encouraging responses to joint efforts by the National Trades Union Congress' (NTUC) e2i (Employment and Employability Institute) and the Maritime and Port Authority of Singapore (MPA) to attract Singaporeans to join the harbour craft industry as steersmen. Out of 120 vacancies this year, a total of 73 jobseekers were offered placements over the two phases of recruitment, filling 60% of the vacancies.

2 Fifteen harbour craft companies participated in both recruitment phases, and more than 500 applicants attended e2i's Industry Previews held prior to the job fairs. To prepare suitable applicants for the job fairs, they attended a two-day Employability Camp and relevant training programmes, such as the Certified Operations Specialist Workforce Skills Qualifications (WSQ) Workplace Safety and Health course.

3 A trainee steersman can earn a starting salary of $1,000 a month. Upon qualifying as a steersman in 3 to 6 months, he can expect to earn $1,500 to $2,000 a month. The career also comes with opportunities for further progression. With good performance and work experience of about 9 to 18 months, the steersman can further advance to become a helmsman, earning more than $2,000 a month.

4 A harbour craft steersman supports key maritime activities in the port of Singapore, and this includes ferrying of ship agents and seafarers between vessel and shore, ferrying harbour pilots to board commercial ships, and transporting and supplying of ship stores and provisions to ships at anchorages.

5 "Harbour craft steersman is one of those jobs that have been there, with quite attractive terms, but not many Singaporeans know about. I am glad with the support of agencies like WDA and MPA, the industry is now making an effort to reach out to Singaporeans to take up these jobs. We have to uncover more of such jobs, so that more Singaporeans can pick up good skills and have wider range of career opportunities," says Mr Ong Ye Kung, Chairman of e2i and Assistant Secretary-General of NTUC.

6 "MPA will continue to work closely with our partners to attract more people to the harbour craft industry. The harbour craft industry is an integral part of Maritime Singapore and is expected to continue to see demand for quality steersmen over the next two years," says Mr Lam Yi Young, Chief Executive of MPA.

7 Jobseekers interested in finding out more about the steersman position can call e2i at 6474 3777.

About the Employment and Employability Institute (e2i)

The Employment and Employability Institute (e2i) is a one-stop, skills-based institute for employers, jobseekers and training providers. It has a vacancy bank of over 15,000 jobs, and has helped over 20,000 jobseekers find new and better jobs in 2008. To ensure that jobseekers meet the hiring requirements of employers, e2i conducts employment coaching, career coaching and conducts employability and skills training. e2i serves all segment of workers, from rank and file to professionals, managers, executives and technicians. e2i is 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). The e2i campus is located at 141 Redhill Road and was officially opened in February 2008 by Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong.

For more information on e2i, please visit www.e2i.com.sg

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, grow the cluster of maritime ancillary services, and promote maritime R&D and manpower development.