LTA putting S$12.5m into transport manpower development fund

Published Mon, Nov 9, 2015 · 03:05 AM
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THE Land Transport Authority (LTA) will be putting in S$12.5 million of funds over the next three years to roll out initiatives aimed at attracting and retaining talent in the public transport industry.

These initiatives are introduced at a time when Singapore is witnessing the biggest expansion of its rail network ever, just as the system is grappling with a heightened focus from the public on reliability of rail services.

Some of these initiatives, launched on Monday morning, primarily target the rail sector. They include the development of more industry-relevant programmes, sponsorship of study awards and training grants, a skills-based progression framework, as well as an industry-wide branding of the sector.

The funds will be put into the Public Transport Manpower Development Fund, and will be overseen by the Public Transport Sectoral Tripartite Committee (PTSTC).

These manpower development initiatives are introduced as Transport Minister Khaw Boon Wan stressed on Monday morning that train disruptions are not to be excused.

Stressing that train disruptions are not to be tolerated, Mr Khaw wrote in a blog post published on Monday: "We are doing our best to make our rail system even more reliable. I just hope to get Singaporeans' better understanding and moral support."

Senior Minister of State for Transport Josephine Teo said at the launch of these manpower initiatives that with Singapore's expanding rail network, it is looking to double its rail professional workforce size from its current 7,000 over the next 15 years.

"LTA, together with its partners, will intensify efforts to build up the (manpower) pipeline to give Singapore the opportunity to take part in this growth," she said.

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