Singapore, 21 April 2016 

New Certificate of Competency Class 4 Special Limit Programmes
To Deepen Skills Of Seafarers

From today, new Certificate of Competency (CoC) Class 4 Master and Chief Engineer (Special Limit) programmess will be introduced by the Maritime and Port Authority of Singapore (MPA), the National Trades Union Congress' (NTUC) e2i (Employment and Employability Institute) and the Singapore Workforce Development Agency (WDA). The new programmes aim to deepen the skills of seafarers so that they could progress in their careers to become Masters and Chief Engineers.

2     Mr Gilbert Tan, Chief Executive Officer, e2i, announced the new CoC Class 4 (Special Limit) programmes at the graduation ceremony for the CoC Class 5 (Special Limit) programmes held today.

3     The new two-and-half-month CoC Class 4 (Special Limit) programmes will comprise management-level core modules and short courses that will equip the officers with management skills to prepare them for leadership positions. To qualify, the officer must possess a CoC Class 5 (Special Limit) qualification and two years sea experience. Upon completion of the course, the officer could become masters of ships of up to 5,000 gross tonnage (GT) operating within Singapore’s “Special Limit” or about 30 nautical miles from Singapore’s port. For Chief Engineers, they could be fully in-charge of propulsion units and other machinery on board ships.

4     For a start, MPA, e2i, and WDA have set aside about $1.4 million for the programmes and target to train up to 100 Class 4 (Special Limit) Masters and Chief Engineers up till April 2018. The programmes will be conducted by Singapore Maritime Academy.

5     Mr Andrew Tan, Chief Executive of MPA, said, “We are glad to introduce the new programmes as part of the efforts spearheaded by the Sectoral Tripartite Committee (STC) for Transport (Sea). In line with SkillsFuture initiative, the new programmes will not only provide career progression for our seafarers but also deepen their skills for leadership positions. We will continue to develop high-quality training that respond to evolving needs of the industry.”

6     Mr Gilbert Tan, Chief Executive of e2i, said “With more Singaporeans coming on-board the programmes since its inception in 2011, it is timely that the CoC Class 4 (Special Limit) programmes is introduced, so as to create a stronger and skilled Singaporean core for the maritime industry. The programmes will create a new pathway for the existing seafarers to progress in their career and hone their leadership skills. In line with NTUC’s efforts to provide workers with a structured career progression, e2i remains committed to work with industry players to support all Singaporeans who seek to embark on a journey of continuous learning.” 

7     Mr Ng Cher Pong, Chief Executive of WDA, said: “The new COC Class 4 certification programmes is designed to enable local seafarers to develop deep skills, secure good jobs, further progress in their careers and prepare them for leadership positions. This is in line with the national SkillsFuture movement. We would like to encourage local seafarers to embrace lifelong learning and to strive towards skills mastery.”

8     At the Ceremony today, a total of 57 cadets graduated from the Deck Officer and Marine Engineer (Special Limit) training programmes. First introduced in 2011, the CoC (Special Limit) programmess prepare seafarers to serve on board ships operating up to the "Special Limit" near Singapore. Developed in close consultation with industry players like the Singapore Shipping Association (SSA), the programmes allows seafarers to enjoy the flexibility of serving shorter voyages while addressing the manpower needs of the maritime industry.

Outstanding cadet, Ms Nur Rizzuwanni receiving her Certificate of Competency (Special Limit) Deck Officer

 

The graduation ceremony saw 57 cadets graduated from the Deck Officer and Marine Engineer (Special Limit) training programmes.

< End of release>

About e2i (Employment and Employability Institute)

As THE leading organisation to create solutions for better employment and employability, e2i exists to create better jobs and better lives for workers. Since 2008, we have helped more than 400,000 workers through providing better jobs, developing better skills through professional development, and improving productivity for companies. An initiative of the National Trades Union Congress (NTUC), supported by the Workforce Development Agency (WDA), the Singapore Labour Foundation (SLF), and the Singapore National Employers’ Federation (SNEF), e2i serves all segments of workers, from rank-and-file to professionals, managers and executives.

Visit www.e2i.com.sg for more information.

The Singapore Workforce Development Agency (WDA) enhances the competitiveness of our workforce by encouraging workers to learn for life and advance with skills. In today's economy, most jobs require not just knowledge, but also skills. WDA collaborates with employers, industry associations, unions and training organisations, to develop and strengthen the Continuing Education and Training system that is skills-based, open and accessible, as a mainstream pathway for all workers – young and older, from rank and file to professionals and executives – to upgrade and advance in their careers and lives. For more information, please visit www.wda.gov.sg.

For media clarification, please contact:

Cassandra Neo (Ms)

Senior Specialist

Marketing Communications & Partnerships

e2i (Employment and Employability Institute)

DID: (65) 6471-5853

Email: cassandra_neo@e2i.com.sg

Steven Ng (Mr)

Principal Manager

Corporate & Marketing Communications

Singapore Workforce Development Agency

DID: (65) 6512-1241

Email: steven_ng@wda.gov.sg