Singapore Aerospace and Animal Management Industries Plan For Talent Development

Submitted by Amit Puri - Managing Consultant, Sandbox Advisors on July 19, 2010 – No Comment

Aerospace:

Rolls-Royce, together with SIA Engineering Company and the Singapore Workforce Development Agency (WDA) will help develop new skill sets for the aerospace professionals in Singapore.

Rolls-Royce, the global power systems company, has collaborated with SIA Engineering Company and WDA to push out three new Workforce Skills Qualification (WSQ) modules for the high tech aerospace industry in Singapore. The WSQ modules will allow aerospace professionals to develop advanced specialist skills for a long-term career in the industry. The qualifications will also support Rolls-Royce’s hiring plans for 500 new, highly skilled jobs at its planned Seletar Aerospace Park campus.

Construction for the 154,000 square-metre facility began early this year and will include a regional training centre and an advanced technology centre. Jonathan Asherson, regional director for Rolls-Royce, Southeast Asia, said the company needs to “continually invest in skills” if it wants to stay on the cutting edge. He adds that the partnership on the new qualifications will boost the existing skills base of local talent. “This will enable us to better meet the growth potential of the aerospace industry in the region.”

Julia Ng, director of the manufacturing and construction division at WDA said, “These new high value-added skills will support the growing manpower needs of the aerospace industry and help aero professionals move up the value chain.”

The new WSQ will include modules on new engine build and workshop design, handling, inspection and packing of engines and components while training will be provided by SIA Engineering Company.

Rolls-Royce currently employs 39,000 skilled people in offices, manufacturing and service facilities across 50 countries.

Animal Management:

Both Wildlife Reserves Singapore (WRS) and Ngee Ann Polytechnic (NP) are working towards developing talent with niche expertise such as animal care to stave off a possible upcoming labour crunch in the industry.

Tang-Lim Guek Im, director of NP’s School of Life Sciences and Chemical Technology, says a new animal management course has been introduced to equip potential talent in this niche sector. With the current scarcity of talent with animal care proficiency in Singapore, Tang-Lim expects graduates to be “employed quickly” upon completion of the course.

From October onwards, the part-time one year course aims to upgrade the skills of existing employees in animal-related industries and train potential talent in the subject expertise. Companies such as local zoos and pet shops have already indicated interest in sponsoring their employees to attend the course, says Tang-Lim.

WRS would be one interested employer. Pauline Chua, its HR director, said the course would be suitable for people without prior experience or qualifications in animal management but are interested in a career with the company. According to Chua, the certificate in animal management will be one of the criteria for the zoo’s employees aiming for a promotion to senior zoo keeper. A zoo keeper at WRS usually starts out as a junior keeper before working his way up to a head keeper. Chua added that WRS will be sending existing employees to attend the course as part of their efforts to develop their skills further.

Thus, the course is designed to prepare students to adapt to the work environment immediately upon graduation. Course graduates will be able to “participate in hands-on learning and put into practice the knowledge they have acquired in the classroom”, says Tang-Lim. “Such tie-ins will also enable them to learn directly from WRS experts on the care, management and conservation of wildlife animals.”

The certificate in animal management, jointly administered by NP and WRS, is the first course that covers syllabus in animal care, handling and husbandry. It is expecting to take in around 25 students, with a course fee of $2600 per person.

Sources and references: HRO

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Amit Puri - Managing Consultant, Sandbox Advisors

Amit is an experienced career, business and HR professional. Previously, he has worked with organisations such as Bain & Company, Morgan Stanley and Citigroup. Amit has advanced degrees/qualifications in Career Counselling, Organisational Psychology & HR, Occupational Psychometrics, Career/Life Coaching, Business and Finance.