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Singapore launches training initiative for marine engineers

Singapore launches training initiative for marine engineers
Singapore has launched a SGD1.2m ($885,808) initiative to attract more locals to take up a career as a marine engineer.

The Tripartite Engineering Training Award (TETA) Programme was launched on Tuesday by Singapore’s Minister of Manpower Lim Swee Say. The announcement was made at the 10th anniversary celebration for the Singapore Maritime Training Fund (SMFT).

The SGD1.2m pilot programme will be conducted by the Singapore Maritime Officers Union’s (SMOU) training arm Wavelink Maritime Institute. Cadets are offering a training berth with a shipping company before starting the programme which takes about 31 months to complete.

The TETA programme is a joint initiative by SMOU, Singapore Workforce Development Agency (WDA), National Trades Union Congress’ (NTUC) e2i (Employment and Employability Institute) and is supported by the Maritime and Port Authority of Singapore (MPA), Singapore Shipping Association (SSA) and shipping companies.

It is the latest in a series of initiatives to attract Singaporeans to switch to a seafaring career through the continuous education and training (CET) route.

“Over the years, we have noticed the manpower issues, in particular the dwindling number of Singaporean seafaring officers and marine engineers willing to embark on this career,” said Mary Liew, SMOU general secretary.

“Therefore, we initiated various programmes with the help of our tripartite partners that adopt the CET route, to give Singaporeans a second opportunity to choose seafaring as a career.”