For immediate release

Inaugural Maritime Career Fair with more than 300 job vacancies for Singaporeans

The Maritime and Port Authority of Singapore (MPA), the Singapore Workforce Development Agency (WDA) and the e2i (Employment and Employability Institute) are holding the inaugural Maritime Career Fair on 26 and 27 September 2014 at the Suntec Singapore Convention & Exhibition Centre, Level 3, Summits 1 and 2.

More than 20 companies, training service providers and Institutes of Higher Learning (IHLs) are participating in the fair (Refer to Annex A for the list). The companies representing shipping, port services as well as offshore and marine sectors, showcase the diverse range of career opportunities available in the maritime industry. With over 300 vacancies to be filled, the fair is expected to attract potential maritime employees and tertiary students.

In his opening remarks at the opening ceremony, Associate Professor Muhammad Faishal Ibrahim, Parliamentary Secretary, Ministry of Health and Ministry of Transport, spoke on the importance of the maritime sector as a key engine for growth for Singapore, offering many good jobs across the four key sectors, namely Shipping, Port, Maritime Services, and Offshore & Marine Engineering. He added that the career fair is a valuable occasion for all to explore the dynamic character of the maritime sector.

Singapore is one of the world's premier hub ports and leading International Maritime Centres. Its maritime industry is currently home to more than 5,000 maritime establishments, employs over 170,000 people and contributes around 7% of Singapore's Gross Domestic Product. With international trade flows continuing to rise rapidly and 90% of all world trade carried by sea, the maritime industry offers exciting, global career prospects for many decades to come.

Mr Andrew Tan, Chief Executive of MPA, said, "The Singapore maritime industry is a dynamic and growing industry that offers good career prospects, job stability and job flexibility. Through this inaugural maritime career fair, we hope to enhance the public's perception of the maritime industry and to encourage more Singaporeans to take up maritime-related studies and embark on careers in the industry."

Mr Gilbert Tan, Chief Executive Officer of e2i, said, "The inaugural Maritime Career Fair is one of several initiatives which e2i is working with our partners on to build a stronger Singaporean Core in the Maritime industry. To get trainees to be prepared for their career at sea; e2i along with our industry partners have developed several maritime Place-and-Train programmes. These structured programmes will train more Singaporeans to be better seafarers and provide them with better career progression."

Mr Ng Cher Pong, Chief Executive of WDA, said, "As one of the world's most important maritime hubs, it is crucial for Singapore to sustain a continuous supply of local talents to meet the industry's manpower needs. The maritime industry provides attractive employment and advancement prospects for locals, and more can be done to promote public awareness of this sector. WDA is pleased to join hands with MPA to support the Maritime Career Fair. This is an excellent platform for individuals looking to discover potential career opportunities as maritime professionals and to understand the career progression pathways."

Maritime Career Fair 2014

Maritime Career Fair 2014

Maritime Career Fair 2014

Details of Maritime Career Fair 2014
Dates: 26 September (11am to 8pm), 27 September (9am to 8pm)
*Registration closes at 7pm

Venue: Suntec Singapore Convention & Exhibition Centre, Level 3, Summit 1 and 2
Admission: Free. Open to public. (For Singaporeans and Permanent Residents only)

For more information on the Maritime Career Fair 2014, please visit https://etms.sg/e2i/mcf2014

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