Rolls-Royce, SIA Engineering Company and WDA introduce new skills to bolster Singapore's aerospace industry
Wednesday, 14 July 2010Rolls-Royce, the global power systems company, has collaborated with SIA Engineering Company and the Singapore Workforce Development Agency (WDA) to define and promote new skill sets in support of Singapore’s high tech aerospace industry.
Together, Rolls-Royce, SIA Engineering Company and the WDA are introducing three new Workforce Skills Qualification (WSQ) modules for the aerospace industry in Singapore. The new WSQ modules will provide aerospace professionals with the opportunity to acquire advanced skills in specialist areas, creating greater opportunity and flexibility for long-term career development within the aerospace industry. These new qualifications are integral to ensuring the right skills levels are developed in Singapore, in support of the high value activity Rolls-Royce will undertake at its planned 154,000 square metre state-of-the-art campus in Seletar Aerospace Park.
Jonathan Asherson, Rolls-Royce, Regional Director Southeast Asia, said: “Rolls-Royce is investing significantly in Singapore to build a world-class, advanced manufacturing facility. To stay on the cutting edge, we need to continually invest in skills. This partnership with SIA Engineering Company and WDA leverages Singapore’s highly skilled workforce and strong focus on technology to broaden and advance the existing skills base. This will enable us to better meet the growth potential of the aerospace industry in the region.”
Ms Julia Ng, Director of the Manufacturing and Construction Division, Singapore Workforce Development Agency said: “WDA is pleased to partner Rolls-Royce to leverage on the Aerospace Workforce Skills Qualification (WSQ) framework to support the skills requirements for its new facilities in Singapore. These new high value-added skills will support the growing manpower needs of the aerospace industry and help aero professionals move up the value chain.”
The new WSQ modules – to be incorporated into the existing Aerospace WSQ framework - will cover new engine build and workshop design; engine test cell, rigging and de-rigging; as well as handling, inspection and packing of engines and components. Training for the WSQ modules will be provided by SIA Engineering Company.
In 2009, Singapore was chosen by Rolls-Royce as the location for a new facility to manufacture state of the art Wide Chord Fan Blades, a technology which has played a key role in the success of the Trent engine family. This follows the decision in 2007 to build a new facility in Singapore to assemble and test large civil engines, starting with the Trent 1000 for the Boeing 787. Construction of the Rolls-Royce Seletar campus, which will include a regional training centre and an Advanced Technology Centre, began earlier this year and total investment will exceed S$700m and create 500 new, highly skilled jobs.
- Rolls-Royce, a world-leading provider of power systems and services for use on land, at sea and in the air, has established a strong position in global markets - civil aerospace, defence aerospace, marine and energy.
- As a result of this strategy, Rolls-Royce today has a broad customer base comprising more than 600 airlines, 4,000 corporate and utility aircraft and helicopter operators, 160 armed forces, more than 2,000 marine customers, including 70 navies, and energy customers in nearly 120 countries, with an installed base of 54,000 gas turbines.
- Rolls-Royce employs 39,000 skilled people in offices, manufacturing and service facilities in 50 countries. The Group has a strong commitment to apprentice and graduate recruitment, and to further developing employee skills.
- In 2009, Rolls-Royce invested £864 million on research and development, two thirds of which had the objective of further improving the environmental aspects of its products, in particular the reduction of emissions.
- Annual underlying revenues were £10.1 billion in 2009, of which about half came from services revenues. The firm and announced order book stood at £58.3 billion at 31 December 2009, providing visibility of future levels of activity.
- Singapore is a key business hub for the Group. It is home to the global headquarters of the Group’s Marine business and the regional headquarters of its Asian Energy business. The Group’s Advanced Technology Centre and Procurement office is also located in Singapore and handles the management of suppliers in South Korea, Taiwan, Malaysia, India and South East Asia.
- Rolls-Royce is developing its Facility of the Future, a Trent aero engine testing and assembly facility, a wide chord fan blade (WCFB) manufacturing facility as well as a regional training centre and Advanced Technology Centre (ATC), at its new Seletar Campus in the Seletar Aerospace Park. It will be the most modern Rolls-Royce production engine assembly and test facility for large commercial aero engines, and the Group’s first in Asia.
- Rolls-Royce has unique capability in the production of hollow WCFBs, which are critical components used in fans for civil and military engines and central to the performance of the engine.
- Rolls-Royce has established a number of highly successful joint venture partnerships in Singapore, primarily with SIA Engineering Company (SIAEC). These include Singapore Aero Engine Services Limited (SAESL) and International Engine Components Overhaul (IECO), both of which provide services to major regional and global carriers.
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