Up to 30% of the 60,000 jobs in the aviation industry could be redesigned over the next five years because of factors such as artificial intelligence (AI) and a push towards greater sustainability, a new report has shown.
These figures were from the aviation jobs transformation report that was launched on July 18 at the OneAviation careers and education fair.
To help workers and employers adapt, the Civil Aviation Authority of Singapore (CAAS) will set aside S$200mil (RM660.5mil) for a manpower fund.
The money will be used to support unions, aviation companies and education providers to better attract, develop and retain the aviation workforce, said Senior Minister of State for Transport Sun Xueling at the fair.
This sum is part of the S$1bil (RM3.3bil) investment announced by CAAS in March to support the Changi air hub’s development.
The year-long manpower study, which was commissioned in 2024 by CAAS and Workforce Singapore (WSG), is a first for the aviation industry here.
The study found that there will be six trends affecting jobs and skills within the sector over the next five years: digitalisation, AI, automation, changing consumer preferences, shifting workforce preferences and sustainability.
Speaking to over 40 aviation employers, aviation educational institutions and partner organisations at the fair, Sun said these trends present an opportunity for the industry to redesign and create new job roles that are interesting and purposeful.
Sun pointed to baggage operators as a role that could see changes. At present, operators can spend more than half of their time towing baggage between places, which could increase human fatigue and reduce productivity.
But when autonomous vehicles (AVs), which are already in advanced trials, are rolled out for baggage towing operations, these operators will no longer have to manually transport baggage, she said, adding that they will be able to focus on last-mile equipment operations within the aircraft stand.
CAAS said it also plans to help the aviation workforce by working with educational institutions to develop study programmes to equip Singaporeans with the skills needed in these new jobs, and providing internships or in-house training.
On July 18, CAAS inked an agreement with nine institutes of higher learning – including the Singapore University of Technology and Design, Ngee Ann Polytechnic and Institute of Technical Education – to encourage young people and mid-career job seekers to enter the industry.
During the career fair, the agency also signed an agreement with national programme AI Singapore, airport operator Changi Airport Group, ground handler Sats and national carrier Singapore Airlines to jointly promote and invest in AI and technology to boost labour productivity.
Besides CAAS’ efforts, WSG also intends to develop an aviation sector job redesign playbook that will identify skills needed for emerging roles and set out steps for how jobs can be redesigned.
On when these efforts will take effect, CAAS director-general Han Kok Juan said the plans are tied to the completion of Changi Airport Terminal 5 (T5), which is slated to open in the mid-2030s.
There is a more immediate five-year plan to transform at least 30% of the jobs so that the workforce can move to T5, he said.
“When T5 opens, you will see a one-time jump in our environments and expertise. You cannot imagine us running (the airport) the way we (currently) run (it).” — The Straits Times/ANN
