SATS Launches Academy to Meet Demand for Skilled Labor
Singapore, July 4, 2018 – SATS Ltd. (SATS), Asia’s leading provider of gateway services and food solutions, announced the launch of SATS Academy to groom the next generation of talents and meet growing demand for skilled labor in the aviation industry.
SATS has been working with global organizations like IATA and international airlines to develop and run training programs to equip its employees with the skills required to meet industry standards. SATS received certification from IATA in November 2014 as the world’s first Center of Excellence for Independent Validators (CEIV) for pharmaceutical handling. In November 2016, SATS was once again the first to receive accreditation from IATA for ramp services training in the region.
The Academy will help to build a sustainable talent pipeline with the core skills and competencies required to support the growth of aviation in Singapore. In collaboration with SkillsFuture Singapore (SSG), SATS will align its programs with the Skills Framework for Air Transport to receive accreditation that will enable its employees to obtain national certification.
Tan Li Lian, Senior Vice President, Human Capital of SATS said, “The success and reputation of SATS is powered by the ideas and passion of our employees. By placing people at the center of our strategy to Feed and Connect Asia, we encourage all our people to commit to a journey of lifelong learning to develop new skills and capabilities that will help them stay relevant.”
The SATS Academy encompasses customized training and development programs, the Graduate Assimilation Program (GAP), and Continuing Education Scheme (CES).
Imelda Binte Mohd Hasni, 41, began her career in SATS as a trainee apron officer in 2002 and was a beneficiary of CES, which funds further education for employees who pursue their studies on a part-time basis. Today, she has risen through rank and file to become a senior executive in cargo administration after completing her Bachelor of Science in Computing with Economics in 2011.
“I wanted to enhance my knowledge and assume greater responsibilities at work to pay it forward to SATS,” shared Imelda. “Being a part of the Continuing Education Scheme helped with financing my studies significantly and I could not have done it without the support of my bosses and peers who readily accommodated changes to my shifts and working hours during my five-year studies.”
In addition to educational sponsorship, SATS ensures that its employees are prepared for challenges on the job by harnessing virtual reality (VR) technology and other innovations to shorten the learning curve. For example, SATS uses VR technology to simulate scenarios for technical ramp training to allow novices to practise manual marshalling in a safe environment as they are coached by experienced peers. SATS is continuously exploring new ways to advance the skills and knowledge of its people to support their career development in the fast-growing aviation sector.
