Singapore, 26 September 2014 | 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.”
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)
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About the Maritime and Port Authority of Singapore (MPA)
The Maritime and Port Authority of Singapore (MPA) was established on 2 February 1996, with the mission to develop Singapore as a premier global hub port and international maritime centre (IMC), and to advance and safeguard Singapore's strategic maritime interests. MPA is the driving force behind Singapore's port and maritime development, taking on the roles of Port Authority, Port Regulator, Port Planner, IMC Champion, and National Maritime Representative. MPA partners the industry and other agencies to enhance safety, security and environmental protection in our port waters, facilitate port operations and growth, expand the cluster of maritime ancillary services, and promote maritime R&D and manpower development.
About the 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 300,000 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.
About the Singapore Workforce Development Agency (WDA)
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, the Union 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 more details on the scholarships and schemes available to aspiring maritime professionals, please go to
www.mpa.gov.sg.
For media queries, please contact:
Serene Liu (Ms)
Manager
Corporate Communications Department
Maritime and Port Authority of Singapore
DID: (65) 6375-1789
Fax: (65) 6276-8927
Cassandra Neo (Ms)
Senior Specialist
Marketing Communications & Partnerships
e2i (Employment and Employability Institute)
DID: 6471-5853
Steven Ng (Mr)
Principal Manager
Corporate & Marketing Communications
Singapore Workforce Development Agency
DID: (65) 6512-1241
