ST Engineering to hire over 300 technicians and engineers as it doubles engine MRO capacity

[SINGAPORE] ST Engineering on Monday (Sep 15) announced that it will hire more than 300 technicians and engineers to staff its new engine maintenance, repair and overhaul (MRO) facility.

The facility, which occupies an area of about 10,000 square metres, is located within ST Engineering’s existing aerospace compound in Paya Lebar. The expansion will double the company’s capacity to service CFM56 and CFM Leading Edge Aviation Propulsion (Leap) aircraft engines to more than 300 annually by 2027. Including its existing engine MRO facility in Xiamen, China, its engine MRO service capacity will exceed 400 annually, added ST Engineering.

This marks another significant hiring commitment by the local technology and engineering giant, which announced on Sep 4 that it will invest S$250 million over the next five years to drive robotics solutions for complex challenges, with part of the fund to be used to train and hire engineers in the field of artificial intelligence.

Jermaine Loy, managing director of the Singapore Economic Development Board, noted that in addition to developing the skills of its employees, ST Engineering has played a crucial role in growing the industry’s talent pool. “Their new training facility with ITE College Central, launched in May this year, will train over 380 students and trainees annually in engine MRO using simulated real-world environments,” he said.

Loy added that over the last four months or so, more than 100 individuals have been onboarded with internships providing additional mentorship and hands-on experience.

Aerospace engineering a key driver

“Within the transport engineering sector, aerospace stands out as one of our strongest growth pillars, with a year-on-year increase of almost 23 per cent in manufacturing output, significantly outpacing overall manufacturing output growth of 7.1 per cent,” said Loy.

He also noted that Singapore accounts for 10 per cent of global MRO output, and close to 20 per cent of global engine MRO output.

Reaffirming the government’s commitment to develop the Republic’s aerospace industry, Loy said: “Beyond continuing to provide businesses with a trusted, stable and reliable operating base, the Singapore government is investing heavily in infrastructure and local talent development, and supporting companies in pursuing R&D (research and development) and partnerships to achieve their growth ambitions.”

He added that growing the aerospace industry is aligned with Singapore’s Manufacturing 2030 vision of growing the manufacturing value-add by 50 per cent by 2030.

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The event was attended by guest of honour Deputy Prime Minister Gan Kim Yong, who visited the expanded facilities.

As at 3 pm on Monday, shares of ST Engineering were down 0.5 per cent, or S$0.04, at S$8.11.