Press Release - ITE Cements Three Agreements to Enhance Aerospace Training

New partnerships to strengthen ITE’s training for next-generation aviation professionals

        The Institute of Technical Education (ITE) has inked three partnerships to prepare the next generation of engineers and technicians for the aviation industry. Mr Alvin Tan, Minister of State for Trade and Industry, and Culture, Community and Youth, attended the Signing Ceremonies on 16 Feb 2022, where ITE signed the following agreements:

1. Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with Airbus S.A.S.

2. Letter of Collaboration (LOC) with Testia Asia Pacific Pte. Ltd.

3. MOU with Purdue University

There are currently over 700 students in the ITE aerospace courses, which include Nitec in Aerospace Avionics; Nitec in Aerospace Technology; Work-Study Diploma in Aircraft Engine Maintenance; and Work-Study Diploma in Aircraft Maintenance Engineering.

Nurturing Future Generations of Aerospace Engineers

Under the three-year agreement, Airbus will support ITE in developing future generations of engineers and technicians in accordance with the aviation industry’s standards. Together, Airbus and ITE will enhance ITE’s training programme and curriculum to meet the aircraft manufacturer’s standards and better address the needs of new generation aircraft such as Airbus’ A350. Airbus will work with ITE to enhance their basic maintenance training curriculum to include the latest aircraft and sustainable fuel technologies.  In doing so, ITE will become the first educational institution in Singapore to be recognised by Airbus to support the basic maintenance and structure repair training for the next-generation aircrafts.

Testia, an Airbus company, signed a three-year LOC with ITE. As part of the agreement, Testia will support ITE in developing Non-Destructive Testing capability for its curriculum. This will include the development of practical sessions and group projects, as well as organising technology talks by practitioners to apprise the students of the latest industry trends and practices.

New Partnership with Purdue University, USA

Under the new five-year partnership with Purdue University, ITE and the University will co-develop a new Technical Engineer Diploma in Unmanned Aerial Systems course for ITE students. This is a new progression pathway for students from ITE’s Higher Nitec and Nitec engineering courses to provide them with more opportunities to deepen their skills in this emerging area.

“Quality training is key to help mechanics develop and maintain both competences and confidence and to ensure safe and efficient operations while reducing Operators & MROs training efforts and associated costs,” said Dr Valerie Manning, Senior Vice President, Airbus Training & Flight Operations Services.

“Supporting academies in bringing the training effort upstream in the education path helps prepare young aerospace students for a career in the aviation industry. Airbus is committed to equipping them with the necessary skills to acquire basic knowledge of modern aircraft to meet their career challenges, and supporting operators and maintenance organisations by minimising additional costly and time-consuming training efforts after recruitment,” she added.

Ms Low Khah Gek, Chief Executive Officer of ITE, said, “As the aviation industry undergoes transformation, it has become paramount for us to equip our students with the knowledge and skills for new materials and maintenance standards. The partnership with aviation leader, Airbus, as well as Testia, will enhance the training programmes at ITE to equip aviation professionals with the skills that meet the latest industry standards and reflect the latest practices in the industry. The partnership with Purdue University, which is a global leader in aerospace engineering training, will give our students an excellent pathway to deepen their skills at the Technical Diploma level, providing them with greater career opportunities.”