CAAS, NTUC Aerospace and Aviation Cluster and NTUC’s e2i to Strengthen Aviation Workforce Development

The partnership will drive more initiatives to better support the development and well-being of the OneAviation community

             The Civil Aviation Authority of Singapore (CAAS), National Trades Union Congress (NTUC) Aerospace & Aviation (A&A) Cluster, and NTUC’s e2i (Employment and Employability Institute) have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) for tripartite partners in the Singapore aviation sector. The MOU will boost workforce development as air travel recovers from the COVID-19 pandemic and Singapore rebuilds and reclaims its position as a global air hub. The MOU was signed by Mr Han Kok Juan, Director-General of CAAS, Mr Goviden Sathasivam, Co-Chairman, NTUC A&A Cluster and Ms Caryn Lim, CEO of e2i, on 30 December 2022, at NTUC A&A Cluster’s year-end networking dinner. The signing was witnessed by Mr Ng Chee Meng, Secretary-General of NTUC.

2            Under the MOU, CAAS, NTUC A&A Cluster and e2i will work together to boost aviation workforce development in three key areas:

a.    Attract Singaporeans to build a career in aviation
The tripartite partners will work together to promote careers in aviation and attract more Singaporeans, both fresh graduates as well as mid-career individuals, to join the sector to meet growing demand for jobs in traditional areas such as service, operations and engineering as well as new emerging areas such as sustainability and technology and innovation. In May 2022, CAAS worked with the tripartite partners to hold the OneAviation Careers Fair which attracted over 11,000 visitors. In October 2022, we launched the OneAviation Careers Hub to provide aviation companies with recruitment support and job-matching services, jobseekers career coaching and in-employment support for skills upgrading. While the aviation sector has recovered to about 90% of its pre-COVID workforce, manpower demand is expected to increase in 2023 as air travel further recovers.

b.    Support retention and skills upgrading of aviation workers
Job requirements in the Singapore aviation sector will change with technological advancements, innovation and a greater focus on sustainability. Through this agreement, CAAS, NTUC A&A Cluster and e2i will help equip and support workers by:

(i)       Working with the Company Training Committees (CTCs) under the NTUC A&A Cluster, to develop and support structured career progression pathways and upskilling opportunities for workers in aviation through efforts such as job redesign and regular review of training needs and manpower plans; and

(ii)       Promoting good employment practices amongst employers within the aviation sector to enhance employee retention.

This builds on the Singapore OneAviation Reskilling (SOAR) programme, which was launched in June 2021 by the NTUC A&A Cluster and CAAS to develop and support structured career progression pathways and upskilling opportunities. Since its launch, the SOAR programme has supported close to 10,000 training places.

c.    Support workforce cohesion and well-being
Since the pandemic hit, aviation frontliners have worked tirelessly under challenging conditions to keep the Singapore air hub running. To drive greater workforce cohesion within the airport community and support their well-being, the parties will:

(i)        Cultivate a positive and conducive working environment within the airport community and promote workforce cohesion through efforts such as promotion of the NTUC A&A Cluster’s OneAirHub Community, and enhancement of airport worker amenities and welfare; and

(ii)        Engage the aviation workforce in sector transformation, including sharing regular updates on air hub priorities including environmental sustainability and airport automation.

3            Mr Han Kok Juan, Director-General of the CAAS, said, “The Singapore aviation sector offers exciting long-term career opportunities for Singaporeans, as we emerge from the COVID-19 pandemic, rebuild the air hub and develop the new Changi Airport Terminal Five which, when ready in mid-2030s, will serve our aviation needs for decades to come. The signing of this MOU is testament to the shared commitment by the tripartite partners to workforce development and well-being and to make concerted effort to attract more Singaporeans to join the sector in the coming year.”    

4            Mr Goviden Sathasivam, Co-Chairman, NTUC Aerospace & Aviation Cluster, said, “The sector is still recovering from the initial years of COVID-19 and our unions have met with challenges in different forms. Through this partnership, we hope that we can continue to ensure that our members’ welfare and employability are enhanced.”

5            Ms Caryn Lim, CEO of e2i shared, “The aviation sector offers good jobs with diverse career opportunities that are constantly evolving with technological advancements. e2i will continue recruitment support for companies and provide employability assistance to individuals, matching them to roles in aviation sector. If you are passionate about aviation, technology and airport operations, the OneAviation Careers Hub portal is a good starting point to know what are the available jobs and career resources.”

About the Civil Aviation Authority of Singapore
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, provide aviation training for human resource development, and contribute to the development of international civil aviation. For more information, visit www.caas.gov.sg ↗ (opens in new tab).  

About the National Trades Union Congress
The National Trades Union Congress (NTUC) is a national confederation of trade unions as well as a network of professional associations and partners across all sectors in Singapore. NTUC's objectives are to help Singapore stay competitive and working people remain employable for life; to enhance the social status and well-being of our members and working people; and to build a strong, responsible and caring labour movement. NTUC's vision is to be an inclusive labour movement for all collars, ages and nationalities. NTUC is at the heart of the Labour Movement, which comprises 58 affiliated unions, six affiliated associations, 12 social enterprises, six related organisations as well as a growing ecosystem of U Associates and enterprise partners. For more details, visit www.ntuc.org.sg ↗ (opens in new tab).  

About the NTUC Aerospace & Aviation Cluster
The NTUC Aerospace and Aviation Cluster comprises the following ten unions: Air Transport Executive Staff Union (AESU), Amalgamated Union of Public Employees (AUPE), dnata Singapore Staff Union (DSSU), Scoot Staff Union (STSU), Singapore Airport Terminal Services Workers’ Union (SATSWU), SIA Engineering Company Engineers and Executives Union (SEEU), Singapore Airlines Staff Union (SIASU), Singapore Industrial & Services Employees’ Union (SISEU), Singapore Manual & Mercantile Workers’ Union (SMMWU) and the ST Engineering Staff Union (STESU).

About NTUC’s e2i (Employment and Employability Institute)
e2i is the empowering network for workers and employers seeking employment and employability solutions. e2i serves as a bridge between workers and employers, connecting with workers to offer job security through job-matching, career guidance and skills upgrading services, and partnering employers to address their manpower needs through recruitment, training and job redesign solutions. e2i is a tripartite initiative of the National Trades Union Congress set up to support nation-wide manpower and skills upgrading initiatives. For more information, please visit www.e2i.com.sg ↗ (opens in new tab).  

For media queries, please contact:

Civil Aviation Authority of Singapore
Email: caas_corporate_communications@caas.gov.sg ↗ (opens in new tab)