To support Singapore’s shift to greener mobility, the Land Transport Authority (LTA) has partnered with 21 organisations to train and certify automotive technicians in the safety-related areas of electric vehicle (EV) maintenance and servicing. This partnership is part of LTA’s efforts to upskill our existing workforce in support of the adoption of electric vehicles and realisation of the Singapore Green Plan 2030.
Supporting the transition to EVs for private transport
2. LTA today signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) with 21 organisations which comprise automotive industry partners, vehicle fleet owners, training providers and other government agencies (see Annex for the list of parties to the MOU) to develop training opportunities for new and existing automotive technicians. Under the MOU, the parties will identify a set of baseline competencies on safe handling of high voltage systems, as well as electrical troubleshooting and diagnostics. These competencies form the fundamental knowledge and skills in EV maintenance and repair, which technicians need to acquire before handling such vehicles.
3. LTA will work with SkillsFuture Singapore (SSG) and training providers, such as the Institute of Technical Education (ITE) College West, Singapore Polytechnic and Ngee Ann Polytechnic, to develop and implement foundational training courses based on the list of identified competencies. These training courses are expected to be available in the second half of this year. To ensure the affordability of these training courses, LTA will work with SSG to provide baseline course fee subsidies of up to 70% to help offset course fees.
4. A new national-level certification programme will also be established to recognise automotive technicians who have completed these courses and successfully attain the required competencies. The certification, recognised by all the parties in the MOU, will pave the way for technicians to subsequently take further specialised training in EV maintenance.
5. In addition, to further build a pipeline of skilled workforce on EV maintenance roles, LTA will also work with SSG and Workforce Singapore (WSG) to reskill new and existing automotive technicians to take on these roles through programmes such as SSG’s SkillsFuture Career Transition Programme and WSG’s Career Conversion Programme (CCP) scheme. Under the CCP, eligible companies or participants may receive salary support for the training duration.
Supporting the transition to cleaner-energy public transport
6. As Singapore progresses towards 100% cleaner-energy bus fleet by 2040, ensuring a steady pipeline of qualified professionals to support the public bus industry will help accelerate the transition towards more sustainable public transport modes. Within the public transport sector, LTA is also taking steps to train and certify technicians in the maintenance of cleaner-energy buses. To prepare our workforce for the transition, LTA signed an MOU today with ITE to designate ITE College West as Singapore Bus Academy’s second satellite assessment centre. Republic Polytechnic was appointed as the first satellite centre in January this year.
7. Bus technicians from the four public bus operators will be able to tap on the two satellite assessment centres for training and assessment of technicians in the maintenance and servicing of electric and hybrid buses. A joint certificate issued by LTA and the Institution of Engineers, Singapore (IES) will be awarded to those who have passed the technical competency assessment under IES’ national chartership scheme for technicians.
