1. I am truly delighted to be here today to mark a significant milestone in the collaboration between ITE and ST Engineering, and the opening of the Onboarding@SKILL training facility.
2. This partnership is a crucial step in addressing the growing demand for skilled technicians in the aerospace industry and strengthening our efforts to create a sustainable pipeline of aerospace talent.
Introduction
3. Singapore has become a prominent hub for aircraft engine Maintenance, Repair, and Overhaul (MRO) services, offering a wide range of solutions for various aircraft engine types. Key players invest in advanced technologies and workforce development, while government support enhances competitiveness. This positions Singapore's MRO market for continued growth, attracting global clients seeking high-quality engine services.
4. ITE has several aerospace-related courses and each year, about 360 ITE graduates are poised to join the industry. It is important that our curriculum and training keep pace with developments and new skills demand in the aviation industry. We are grateful to have strong industry partners to support us.
Partnership with ST Engineering
5. Through our collaboration with ST Engineering, students from the Higher Nitec in Aerospace Engineering course — launching in 2026 — will gain invaluable hands-on experience throughout their three-year programme.
6. ST Engineering has been a key partner in supporting ITE’s student internship programme since 2008, offering up to 120 enhanced internship placements annually in recent years. These placements provide our students with invaluable on-the-job training in operational environments.
7. ST Engineering has been participating actively in our aerospace Work-Study Diploma (WSDip) programmes. ST Engineering has recruited more than 130 WSDip trainees over the past 3 years to support their long-term talent development strategy and providing ITE graduates a fulfilling career.
8. These intake figures reflect the strength and continuity of our partnership, and ST Engineering’s unwavering dedication to training future-ready aerospace professionals. This long-term collaboration is not only key to sustaining a steady flow of skilled talent, but also vital in ensuring that our training remains responsive and aligned with the dynamic needs of the aerospace industry.
9. The new Onboarding@SKILL facility stands out by providing a realistic aircraft engine MRO environment for hands-on training with cutting-edge technologies that transform aircraft engine MRO processes.
10. Students engage with intelligent autonomous mobile robots, augmented reality systems, robotic arms, and virtual engine test cell simulators, gaining valuable experience while working on aircraft engines to enhance their skills in a dynamic environment.
11. We thank ST Engineering for generously sharing their expertise in aircraft engine maintenance, and for their close collaboration in developing this training facility. We also appreciate their dedication to staying connected with our graduates and supporting their future employment opportunities, especially after they completed their National Service.
12. We look forward to deepening our partnership with ST Engineering by having students and staff working alongside ST Engineering professionals on real-world projects, fostering knowledge exchange and enhancing practical skills while contributing to advancements in the field.
13. With this strong partnership between ITE and ST Engineering, we can cultivate a skilled workforce and reinforce Singapore's position as a leading aerospace MRO hub.
Conclusion
14. It is truly an honor to have ST Engineering as our key industry partner, collaborating with us to nurture the next generation of aerospace professionals.
15. This partnership represents a transformative step in addressing the aerospace industry’s need for skilled professionals, strengthening industry-academia collaboration, and creating long-term career pathways for our students.
16. Thank you for being part of this exciting journey. We look forward to seeing the positive impact this collaboration will have on our students, the aerospace industry, and beyond.