Mr S Iswaran, Second Minister for Trade and Industry announced at the Ministry of Trade and Industry Committee of Supply Debate today that the Energy Market Authority (EMA) has formed an industry-led Power Sector Manpower Taskforce (PSMT). The PSMT will identify and recommend strategies to build up manpower capabilities for Singapore’s power sector. Led by Mr Quek Poh Huat, Senior Adviser, Singapore Power, the PSMT will comprise representatives from the industry, Union of Power and Gas Employees (UPAGE), government agencies and institutions of higher learning (IHLs) (see Annex A for composition of  PSMT).

Role of the PSMT

The PSMT will map out key strategies in the areas of attraction, retention and personnel development to ensure that the manpower needs for Singapore’s power sector continue to be met in the medium to long-term. The task force will also identify the types of manpower capabilities required and propose suitable initiatives for how education and training systems as well as in-company career progression pathways can develop these competencies.

Challenges ahead – ageing workforce and talent attraction

In 2011, EMA and the Singapore Workforce Development Agency (WDA) conducted a study on the energy sector’s current manpower profile and future manpower requirements. The current size of the power sector workforce is about 4,600, of which, two-thirds are technical professionals. The study, which was done in consultation with industry and union leaders, found that the power sector was facing an ageing workforce and challenges in attracting and retaining young Singaporeans. Other key findings include: 

• More than 40 per cent of the technical workforce will be eligible for retirement in the next 10-15 years.  Based on current trends, there is insufficient inflow of young Singaporeans to replace these workers when they retire.  
  
• Inadequate manpower supply to meet growing demand. Projections show that about 2,400 additional technical personnel will be needed to support the sector’s growth over the next 10 years.

Chairman of the PSMT, Mr Quek Poh Huat said, “This task force’s role will be critical in ensuring that Singapore’s power sector continues to face and overcome its challenges in the coming years. The power sector has to ensure its manpower capabilities are adequate to meet and adapt to the oncoming changes in the power landscape. Key developments in recent years include the shift from oil-fired steam plants to more efficient combined-cycle gas turbine plants, as well as new technology innovations to enhance system resilience, energy efficiency and environmental sustainability. It is also important for the power sector to reach out to young Singaporeans, to raise awareness of the interesting career opportunities which the sector offers and the significance of its contributions to Singapore.”

The PSMT targets to submit its recommendations to the government by December 2012.