Despite the challenges over the past two years, Singapore has maintained a strong base of aerospace activities. To seize new growth opportunities in digital services, autonomous technologies and sustainability, aerospace companies are looking to fill 1,000 positions over the next two years. These roles include data analysts, robotics and automation engineers, and aircraft technicians.
As masterplanner of Seletar Aerospace Park, Singapore’s centrepiece for the aerospace sector, JTC brought together aerospace companies, the Institutes of Higher Learning, Association of Aerospace Industries (Singapore) and NTUC’s Employment and Employability Institute (e2i) to invigorate the talent pipeline and inspire young talents to pursue a career in aerospace. The third edition of Aerospace Day attracted 1,800 students and job seekers who are keen to have early industry exposure and an up-close look at the exciting opportunities and emerging trends in the sector. It is part of JTC’s Industry Connect initiative to help businesses in over 100 industrial estates and business parks attract talent, adopt technology, and embark on sustainability initiatives.
Among the aerospace companies with strong hiring interest, US aerospace giant Pratt & Whitney recently embarked on a recruitment drive to hire 250 skilled workers for its Maintenance, Repair and Overhaul (MRO) operations in Singapore. The company is committed to invest in new digital technologies and tooling capabilities, giving workers the opportunity to upskill and work on the latest generation of aerospace technology.
World-leading provider of aircraft engines and components GE Aviation is looking to fill 200 positions this year and further recruit workers in 2022 as the aviation sector recovers. Business jet manufacturer Bombardier intends to add about 90 new workers by 2023 in roles such as engineers, technicians, and trainees.
Homegrown aerospace and engineering giant ST Engineering is aiming to hire up to 200 aviation professionals by next year while Singapore Aero Engine Services, the world's largest Rolls-Royce Trent Aero Engine MRO facility and Trent Centre of Excellence is looking to fill 100 vacancies for technicians and 70 vacancies for new trainees to support the growth of its operations as a lead MRO facility.
Ms Lim Ai Ting, JTC’s Director of Aerospace and Marine Cluster said “The aerospace industry has remained resilient over the last two years and many bright sparks remain within the sector. At Seletar Aerospace Park, we are seeing companies invest in new capabilities and strong hiring interest to build their pipeline of talent. By bringing the aerospace companies together for Aerospace Day, we hope to showcase the exciting job opportunities available in the sector, and allow talents to better understand the exciting work that the sector offers.”
Mr Iain Rodger, Managing Director of GE Aviation Engine Services - Singapore said, “We are seeing a strong recovery of the aviation sector as our customers’ aircraft take to the skies in increasing numbers as countries’ borders progressively open up. We continue to work very closely with the Singapore Government. As a leader in the aircraft engine industry, GE Aviation needs the right engineering talent and workforce to serve our customers’ needs for engines maintenance, repair and overhaul.”
Mr Jeffrey Lam, Commercial Aerospace President of ST Engineering, said, “Despite the current challenges that the aviation sector is facing, its fundamentals and long-term prospects remain strong. ST Engineering continues to invest in its capabilities and capacity, and we are reviewing opportunities for the expansion of our capabilities and capacity, including the hiring of aviation professionals to support in growth areas so that we can continue to strengthen our ability to support our global customers.”
As one of JTC’s signature talent outreach events, Aerospace Day, held virtually this year, featured a line-up of talks by industry professionals on new technologies and trends in the sector. Aerospace companies also set up interactive exhibition booths where participants can reach out directly to companies’ human resource personnel via a live chat function. The virtual exhibitions will continue to be available for the next two weeks, so students and job seekers have ample time to explore the exciting opportunities in aerospace. In addition to the online programme, JTC is working with companies to host exclusive tours to company facilities in Seletar Aerospace Park at the end of the year, so that students can have a behind-thescenes peek at the exciting working environment in the aerospace companies. This is also a chance for them to visit the estate’s unique live-work-play environment, featuring the Hampstead Wetlands Park and The Oval which host a range of F&B and retail options, as well as nature and lifestyle activities, which make it a vibrant and attractive place to work in.
