Aerospace sector seeks to fill 3,000 jobs to meet growing maintenance, repair, overhaul demand

AEROSPACE companies are ramping up recruitment efforts to fill about 3,000 new roles by end-2023, as the industry’s maintenance, repair and overhaul (MRO) sector is expected to grow further following China’s reopening, said Minister of State for Trade and Industry Alvin Tan in response to a parliamentary question on Tuesday (Feb 7).

A Ministry of Trade and Industry spokesperson said the job openings will span across various aerospace sub-segments, including MRO, adding that MRO activities “generate the majority of value-added” in the industry.

Tan said that companies are also investing in technology and innovation. He highlighted Pratt & Whitney’s previously announced plans to establish its technology accelerator in Singapore, which will increase productivity and help the aerospace manufacturer meet future demand.

Roles in demand include technicians, engineers and production associates, Tan said in a response to a supplementary question. He added that companies are also hiring in emerging areas such as digital services and autonomous technology, which “can enhance productivity and innovation in the MRO process”.

“The aerospace industry has a high rate of job localisation, of almost 80 per cent,” said the minister, adding that the majority of them are professionals, managers, executives and technicians.

There is also a focus on training, reskilling and upskilling, he added: “The government is working closely with companies, schools and unions to build a robust local talent pipeline for the sector.”

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In his supplementary question, Workers’ Party Member of Parliament Dennis Tan (Hougang SMC) asked whether (and if so, what) efforts have been made to recruit local MRO professionals that left the industry during the pandemic. He also asked if there was a current shortage of local MRO workers. Alvin Tan did not directly address these issues.

Singapore’s aerospace industry is coping well with the increase in demand for MRO services, following the reopening of borders, the minister of state said. Since the second quarter of 2022, factory output for the industry has exceeded pre-Covid levels, said Tan, citing monthly industrial production figures. He noted that for the full year of 2022, the segment’s output was up 27.7 per cent on the year.