Press Release - ITE Launches New Airport Operations Simulation Training Facility

News Release No. 01/23

State-of-the-art facility to also cater to new Work-Study Diploma in Customer Experience Management (Aviation) programme.

Four years after rolling out the Work-Study Diploma (WSDip) in Airport Operations programme, ITE continues to spread its wings in the aviation sector with the launch of a state-of-the-art Airport Operations Simulation Training Centre (AOSTC) to boost training capacity and cater to the new Work-Study Diploma in Customer Experience Management (Aviation) programme introduced earlier this month. The AOSTC is latest addition to a suite of facilities at ITE College East, which include the Airport Premium Lounge and the Cabin Training Facility. They have all been specially designed and equipped with training tools and technology to provide a holistic and authentic learning environment for Aviation Services students and trainees on campus.

At the AOSTC (Refer to Facility Factsheet in Annex A), students and trainees have access to the following:

• 3D Projection Mapping of Changi Airport which leverages on digital technology to help students and trainees grasp the complex and inter-dependent operations at various parts of the airport.

• A cross-section of a Boeing 787 fuselage cargo hold with two functioning Unit Load Devices (ULDs) as well as a functioning Joint Container Pallet Loader to train students and trainees on how to handle cargo and baggage.

• Airside Familarisation Driving Simulator that uses virtual reality to provide an immersive behind-the-wheel experience and expose students and trainees to working on driving conditions on runways, taxiways and apron.

“Ground operations at the Airport are very complex, involving different aspects from handling of passengers and baggage, ensuring safety and security, to providing F&B and entertainment for people passing through and using airport facilities. We have specially planned and designed the Airport Operations Simulation Training Centre to simulate actual job situations so as to provide our students and trainees with a better understanding of the skills required and prepare them adequately to perform job roles. This would help to ease their learning curve when they enter the workforce,” said Dr Yek Tiew Ming, Principal of ITE College East. 

New Progression Pathway in Aviation Services

The WSDip in Customer Experience Management (Aviation) was introduced as an alternative track to aviation-related courses[1] currently offered by ITE to provide graduates with a progression pathway to deepen their skills in Customer Service and build their careers in the aviation sector. The two-and-a-half-year programme, which combines classroom learning with hands-on experience and real-world applications, will allow trainees to work and gain valuable industry experience while studying.

Trainees enrolled into the WSDip programme will learn how to carry out customer behaviour analysis and manage quality customer experience. They will also be equipped with knowledge and skills to perform ground-handling services such as passenger and baggage check-in, arrival and departure duties, service disputes as well as handle lost and found baggage (refer to course information and module objectives in Annexes B and C).

Graduates from the course can look forward to job opportunities to support ‘above-the-wing’ operations and assist passengers through the customs, immigration and quarantine (CIQ) process. This will include areas like customer contact services and experience, customer affairs, passenger services and relations, concierge services and lounge operations.

Aligning Curriculum with Industry Needs

The Opening of the AOSTC and launch of the new WSDip programme was officiated by Guest-of-Honour, Mr S Iswaran, Minister for Transport and Minister-in-charge of Trade Relations in a ceremony held at ITE College East on 21 Apr 2023.  ITE also signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with the Changi Airport Group (CAG) and renewed its partnership with Scoot at the event attended by guests and other industry partners from Civil Aviation Authority of Singapore (CAAS), dnata, Singapore Airport Terminal Services (SATS), Plaza Premium Lounge, JetQuay, Boncafe and Kaori.

Under the collaboration, ITE will work with CAG and Scoot to develop and update its courseware and curriculum based on the latest industry trends and practices, through regular knowledge sharing sessions. ITE staff, students and trainees can also look forward to capability development opportunities such as local and/or overseas training, internships, attachments, learning journeys and industry training projects. In addition, CAG and Scoot will sponsor book prizes to reward students and trainees with outstanding performance and achievements.

Ms Low Khah Gek, CEO of ITE, said, “With the aviation industry recovering steadily from the COVID-19 pandemic, it is important for ITE to work with industry partners to continue to build a strong pipeline of local talent to support the expansion and growth of the aviation industry in Singapore. We are happy to work closely with CAG and Scoot to understand new competency requirements. This will help to close any training gap and ensure that our course curriculum stays robust, updated and aligned with industry needs.”

[1] ITE currently conducts Work-Study Diplomas in the following aviation-related disciplines:

• Aircraft Cabin Engineering

• Aircraft Engine Maintenance

• Aircraft Maintenance Engineering

• Airport Operations

Annexes A, B & C [PDF, 584 KB]