Singapore’s Coordinating Minister for Infrastructure and Minister for Transport, Mr Khaw Boon Wan, has unveiled a S$100 million Rail Manpower Development Package (RMDP).
The RMDP initiative for railway workers is co-developed with the Public Transport Operators (PTOs) and the National Transport Workers’ Union (NTWU).It aims to expand the rail workforce and accelerate the rail workforce transformation over the next five years. This will prepare workers to run an expanded and more complex rail system.
The RMDP enhances existing training programmes offered by the PTOs and initiatives supported by Workforce Singapore and SkillsFuture Singapore. It comprises three key components:
* Manpower development incentives to encourage PTOs to expand and accelerate their training in future-relevant technologies and skillsets, in emerging areas such as data analytics and condition-based maintenance. Around 3,000 rail workers will benefit;
* New SGRail Industry Scholarships and in-service sponsorships co-funded by LTA and the PTOs to attract and retain talent to become future industry leaders. The SGRail Industry Scholarships for programmes at ITE and Institutes of Higher Learning are open to students who wish to pursue a promising career in the rail industry. Around 400 students and workers will benefit.
* Co-investments in training hardware equipment like simulators or virtual reality equipment that help support more hands-on training in a safe and controlled environment.