New WDA programmes for marine & offshore industry

SINGAPORE: Two programmes have been launched to raise productivity and groom leaders in the marine and offshore industry over the next two years.

The Singapore Workforce Development Agency (WDA) said on Friday that S$2.3 million has been set aside for the programmes.

The first is the Workforce Skills Qualification (WSQ) Operations Management Innovation Programme (OMNI@Marine), which aims to groom engineers and professionals to review operations and innovation to improve productivity.

About 300 local professionals, managers and executives (PMEs) are expected to benefit.

WDA worked with the Association of Singapore Marine Industries (ASMI) and the Singapore Institute of Manufacturing Technology (SIMTech) to develop the programme, which covers part—time classroom training and on—site mentorship, as well as productivity improvement projects.

WDA will provide course fee subsidies of up to 90 per cent for small and medium—sized enterprises (SMEs), or up to 70 per cent for multinational corporations (MNCs).

Major shipyards such as Sembawang Shipyard, Jurong Shipyard and Keppel Shipyard have indicated they will support the programme and ensure that the SMEs they work with will benefit from the training and help to raise productivity.

The second initiative is a scholarship scheme under WDA’s Skills Training for Excellence Programme (STEP) to groom local managers for leadership positions in the industry over the long term.

Twelve local PMEs are expected to benefit.

Initiated by WDA and ASMI, it allows local, company—sponsored PMEs to study for a Master of Science (MSc) in Marine Technology offered by Newcastle University.

There are 10 course modules, along with a work—based project.

These will be conducted locally on a part—time basis over two—and—half years from January 2013.

WDA will fund up to 80 per cent of the course fees for those who are sponsored by their companies.

Their companies will pay the remaining 20 per cent.

Companies must map out a career plan for their scholars and groom them for leadership positions.

The marine & offshore industry continues to sustain its growth despite the uncertain global economic conditions, accounting for S$13.32 billion worth of business in 2011.

It employs close to 111,000 personnel, forming about 22 per cent of the total manufacturing workforce.

The industry has transformed from a ship repair hub in the 1960s to become a global leader in the building of jack—up rigs and floating, production, storage and offloading (FPSO) conversions.

Singapore shipyards account for 67 per cent of the global market for jack—up rigs and 68 per cent of the global market for FPSO conversions.

Their success will continue to hinge on innovation and competitiveness, making it critical for industry players to raise productivity and skills to sharpen their core competencies.

— CNA/xq