CAAS Launches the Aviation Horizons Scholarship and Aviation Youth Outreach Seed Fund

To attract and nurture the next generation of aviation professionals

As part of its spearheading efforts to build and sustain a quality workforce for the growing aviation industry in Singapore, the Civil Aviation Authority of Singapore (CAAS) has launched two new initiatives – the Aviation Horizons Scholarship and Aviation Youth Outreach Seed Fund. The initiatives, which were announced today by Mrs Josephine Teo, Minister of State for Finance and Transport, are under CAAS' Aviation Manpower Programme (AMP)[1] aimed at attracting, developing and retaining talent and manpower for the aviation industry.

Meeting the needs of industry and aspirations of youths
In a unique partnership with participating aviation companies, the Aviation Horizons Scholarship offers successful applicants the opportunity to work for an aviation company and at the same time pursue a part-time degree or diploma course sponsored jointly by CAAS and the company. The Scholarship aims to meet the aspirations of the growing number of Institute of Technical Education (ITE) and polytechnic graduates to attain higher qualifications immediately upon graduation, even while they start work with an aviation company and gain valuable work experience as early as possible.

With an initial budget of S$900,000, the Aviation Horizons Scholarship programme enables participating aviation companies to attract and develop young talent to meet their organisation's human resource needs. Under the programme, CAAS will fund up to 50% of the scholarship's qualifying costs, capped at S$15,000 per scholarship, with the participating aviation company sponsoring between 30% and 50% of the costs.

Cultivating youths' interest and passion in aviation
The Aviation Youth Outreach Seed Fundis aimed at raising the interest of the young in aviation through deeper engagement of the youths. Through the fund, CAAS seeks to co-create with the industry and community sustainable outreach and engagement platforms for the varying youth audiences.

With a budget of S$315,000 available through to 31 March 2015, the fund supports the youth outreach efforts of companies, associations, student groups and Institutes of Higher Learning (IHLs) through seed-funding of their qualifying aviation-themed programmes.

The inaugural programme launched under the Aviation Youth Outreach Seed Fund is the Youth Aviation Ambassadors (YAA) programme. Established by CAAS, the programme nurtures youths passionate about aviation to inspire their peers. Through their involvement in various aviation-related activities, the YAAs will also gain a deeper appreciation of the industry, and enjoy exposure and networking opportunities with CAAS and industry leaders. Following a careful selection process, including a series of interviews, the first batch of 23 YAAs from the polytechnics, junior colleges, and ITE received their certificate of appointment for a one-year term from Mrs Teo at the opening ceremony of the Aviation Open House 2011.

About the Civil Aviation Authority of Singapore (CAAS)

The mission of the Civil Aviation Authority of Singapore (CAAS) is to "Grow a safe, vibrant air hub and civil aviation system, making a key contribution to Singapore's success". CAAS' roles are to oversee and promote safety in the aviation industry, develop the air hub and aviation industry, provide air navigation services, develop Singapore as a centre for aviation knowledge and training, and contribute to the development of international aviation.

Encl:

Annex A: Fact Sheet on the Aviation Horizons Scholarship

Annex B: Fact Sheet on the Aviation Youth Outreach Seed Fund

For media queries, please contact:

Civil Aviation Authority of Singapore
Email: caas_corporate_communications@caas.gov.sg