Jurong Port announced today the official launch of its new Academy located at the Devan Nair Institute for Employment and Employability (e2i) in the heart of Jurong Gateway. The Jurong Port Academy is part of the port’s efforts to transform the multipurpose port industry, by leveraging new technology and innovation to enhance capabilities, increase productivity and upskill port workers. As workers are at the centre of port operations, a technology-enabled workforce can move away from routine and labour-intensive tasks to focus on productive and higher value-added activities. The Jurong Port Academy will help to create a future-ready workforce. Both new and existing port workers will benefit from the structured approach applied to develop a new generation of port professionals for the industry.
The launch was officiated on 20 Jan 2017 by Mrs Josephine Teo, Senior Minister of State, Prime Minister’s Office, Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Ministry of Transport. During the launch, representatives from the port and the shipping community observed the use of simulators and other training tools. They were also briefed on how the Jurong Port Academy will train and certify port professionals to apply the latest port mechanisation and automation technologies. Besides the Academy’s premises at e2i, Jurong Port has built a dedicated training yard within the port for workers to conduct hands-on equipment training.
“Jurong Port strives to provide professional and reliable port solutions to our port users and partners who rely on our expertise for their non-homogenous and complex cargo requirements. The Jurong Port Academy is an integral component in our bid to transform the multipurpose port industry, enabling a sustainable and promising future for all industry participants, port users, stevedoring service providers and Jurong Port itself with its vision of being a world-class multipurpose port operator. One of the port’s key objectives is to upskill the workforce, develop rewarding career pathways and attract new talent into the industry,” said Mr Ooi Boon Hoe, Chief Executive Officer of Jurong Port. ‘’In the lead up to the Academy launch, Jurong Port has worked tirelessly to engage with all stakeholders to ensure that there is strong buy-in, and similar consultative efforts have also taken place in other areas where we wish to improve port operations, safety and cargo handling as well.’’
Mr Andrew Tan, Chief Executive of Maritime and Port Authority (MPA) of Singapore said, “MPA is happy to support Jurong Port in the establishing of the Jurong Port Academy, which will upskill and train port workers in operating new technologies such as sideloaders for more efficient steel cargo handling in Singapore’s next generation multipurpose port. This initiative is timely as we prepare our workforce with new skillsets that are not only relevant for the future but will also improve the productivity, efficiency and reliability of our port. The Port of Singapore must continue to stay ahead of competition and grow from strength to strength, while continuing to provide good jobs and maintain its key role in Singapore’s economy.”
The establishment of the Jurong Port Academy involved consultation with government agencies such as the MPA who provided strong backing and funding support. Representatives of the workers and stevedore community in Jurong Port have also played a significant role. Close to $3 million have been invested in the Jurong Port Academy. To ensure that the Academy will be relevant, Jurong Port will form a Learning Council comprising representatives from the stevedore community and the National Transport Workers’ Union to advise the Jurong Port Academy on its training activities.
