Workers in aerospace and aviation sector benefitted from better wages and career progression through NTUC’s CTC

• Companies in the aerospace and aviation cluster are tapping on NTUC Company Training Committee (CTC) Grant to redesign job roles, optimise work processes, and develop their staff. More than 30,000 workers in the sector have since benefited from CTCs.
• NTUC and CAAS’ OneAviation Careers Hub continues to draw locals to the aerospace and aviation sector, placing over 1,300 individuals into roles within the sector.

With Singapore Changi Airport Terminal 5 set to be operational in the mid-2030s and the International Air Transport Association projecting passenger numbers to double across Asia by 2040¹, companies in the aerospace and aviation sector are stepping up efforts to optimise work processes and job roles, develop new capabilities, as well as to strengthen their workforce and attract and retain talent. National Trades Union Congress (NTUC) Secretary-General Ng Chee Meng shared this observation at the inaugural Aerospace and Aviation Symposium 2024 today.

The symposium, organised by NTUC Aerospace and Aviation (A&A) cluster with support from NTUC’s e2i (Employment and Employability Institute) and Civil Aviation Authority of Singapore (CAAS), addressed key industry trends, emerging skills and capabilities. It also highlighted how NTUC is supporting companies and the workforce, such as through the NTUC Company Training Committee (CTC).

NTUC CTC and CTC Grant: Delivering Results for Workers and Companies

Of the over 200,000 workers across various industries who have received skills training² through the CTC and CTC Grant, 33,000 are employed in the A&A sector. In addition, about 800 workers from the A&A sector could benefit from career development plans or average wage increases above and beyond their annual increment.

NTUC Secretary-General Ng Chee Meng said, “NTUC has established more than 2,300 Company Training Committees³, supporting businesses in enhancing productivity and redesigning roles. This has enabled training opportunities, improved wages or career prospects for over 30,000 workers in the Aerospace and Aviation sector. I’m encouraged to see more companies recognising the value of partnering with NTUC and utilising the CTC Grant to futureproof their workforce and improve their livelihoods.”

Company Feature: SATS Leads by Example - First in the A&A Sector Partnering NTUC to Pilot Job Redesign Projects

SATS Ltd, a unionised company with Air-Transport Executive Staff Union (AESU) and SATS Workers’ Union (SATSWU), partnered NTUC and SATSWU in October 2023 to raise the attractiveness of aviation jobs among locals.

SATS conducted in-depth research to identify the challenges associated with the aviation roles such as integrating duties to meet evolving operational and service needs, while ensuring that roles remain competitive and offer career progression for workers. SATS is addressing these challenges by leveraging NTUC CTC Grant to pilot solutions aimed at enhancing People, Process and Technology.

One of the key initiatives is the redesign of job roles within the Passenger Services, Cargo and Apron businesses, with pilot projects starting from August 2024. The projects aim to enhance career development for close to 500 Singaporeans. In the long term, SATS will also introduce technology-driven projects to streamline and simplify work processes.

In the Passenger Services unit, the project will begin with the formalisation of the Customer Service Agent+ (CSA+) role. The new role will transition workers from routine operational and logistical tasks to higher-value, supervisory responsibilities. For example, CSA+ will supervise a team of CSAs, part-timers, contract and flexi-workers. The CSA+ will help to coordinate with key stakeholders and manage complex issues to facilitate smooth operations, among other duties. This shift provides workers with opportunities for career advancement and equip them with skills in leadership, strategic coordination, and advanced problem-solving.

SATS will also pilot the Mobility Asset Tracking System to improve work efficiency and reduce passenger wait time. Currently, CSAs spend significant time tracking and deploying mobility devices such as wheelchairs. Through the CTC Grant, SATS can implement an asset tracking system to track these devices via a mobile application. The system will streamline processes and save time by identifying low and excess device locations. This eliminates the need for CSAs to manage physical tracking cards and have real-time visibility of device locations, enhancing productivity and allowing CSAs to focus more on service-oriented tasks.

For more information on the job redesign projects for SATS Passenger Services, please refer to Annex A.

SATS CEO of Gateway Services Bob Chi said, “Alongside with our operational improvements, the aviation industry must address the critical issue of talent acquisition and retention. SATS, in collaboration with unions and NTUC, is dedicated to creating new career development roadmaps. With the help of the Company Training Committee (CTC), we have identified clear career growth and pathways for skill development and enhancements to the reward structure. An important part of this effort is job redesign, which entails adapting existing job functions to meet evolving business requirements.

Strengthening the Local Workforce in A&A Sector 

In addition to promoting business and workforce transformation through NTUC CTC, NTUC A&A cluster, NTUC’s e2i and CAAS have been increasing visibility of aviation careers for job seekers through the OneAviation Careers Hub (OACH)⁴.

OACH provides a centralised online platform, offering job matching, career guidance, recruitment assistance, and skills enhancement, to help job seekers enter and advance in the aviation and aerospace industry. Supported by year-round offline efforts like career coaching and roadshows, OACH has been key in attracting more locals to the sector. To date, OACH has assisted over 3,000 job seekers and placed more than 1,300 individuals into roles⁵.