Singapore Rail Academy to partner 5 educational institutions to help rail workers gain formal qualifications

The target is for 20 per cent of the rail operations and maintenance workforce to be recognised under this certification scheme, LTA added.

From early 2027, the academy will also progressively establish a rail-sector Workforce Skills Qualifications (WSQ) certification framework, starting from Basic Certificates in Railway Operations and Railway Maintenance. 

An advisory panel comprising local and international rail experts will also be convened to provide strategic guidance and share best practices on training and capability development.

“Taken together, these changes to the Rail Academy will help us build a stronger pipeline of skilled train professionals … with clear standards and pathways to progress,” said Mr Siow.

GROWING NEEDS FOR SKILLED RAIL WORKERS

Mr Siow noted that the responsibilities of transport workers have changed over the years as the public transport system evolves.

The government is progressively electrifying Singapore’s bus fleet, with half of public buses to be electric by 2030 and the entire fleet to run on cleaner energy by 2040.

For bus engineers and technicians, this means learning to work with new high-voltage battery systems, electrical components and digital diagnostic tools – which are “entirely different” from managing a conventional diesel bus, said Mr Siow.

At the same time, Singapore’s MRT network is also ageing, and older lines will need to undergo major renewals even as the network continues to expand.

“In fact, we will shift our emphasis from opening new lines, to maintaining and upgrading existing ones,” Mr Siow said.

This was why authorities began extended scheduled closures of parts of the rail network for major upgrading projects last year, allowing projects to be carried out more quickly, efficiently and safely.

“As we focus more on upgrading and maintenance, we must build up an army of engineers and technicians who understand these systems deeply, who can make sound decisions, and carry out works safely,” Mr Siow said.