ComfortDelGro to upskill existing drivers with autonomous vehicles in mind

[SINGAPORE] ComfortDelGro has launched training and capabilities development initiatives to upskill existing drivers, the company said on Wednesday (Jul 16).

This will prepare the next generation of drivers for the future of mobility, as the industry evolves and embraces autonomous vehicles (AV).

Its first initiative in Singapore focuses on training safety operators for AVs developed by ComfortDelGro’s partner Moovita, which operates a fleet of autonomous shuttles in several locations across Singapore. The group has also started remote operator and fleet management training as part of its AV pilot in China.

The move by the transport company aims to ensure that its current drivers remain relevant to the evolving transport landscape while creating new, attractive roles for the next generation.

Cheng Siak Kian, managing director and group CEO of ComfortDelGro, said: “AV-related training and development are key to building new capabilities and creating new roles for the next generation of mobility solutions. We are committed to our employees and drivers who are interested in new opportunities in the growing autonomous vehicle sector, and developing new talent so that the workforce remains at the forefront of the industry’s transformation.”

In the future, the group plans to broaden its training and development initiatives to include cross-training programmes that will enable safety operators to work with different types of AV technologies.

Moreover, ComfortDelGro will also develop other crucial roles unique to AV operations, such as remote operators, maintenance specialists, data analysts and fleet management positions. This flexibility will enhance career opportunities for participants while supporting the company’s broader AV initiatives, the group said.

Shares in ComfortDelGro were up 0.7 per cent or S$0.01 at S$1.44 as at 10.27 am, after the announcement.