Upcoming airline cabin training facility and Scoot, Tigerair internships for ITE students

Amelia Teng
The Straits Times
Tuesday, Sep 6, 2016

Preparing airline meals and serving passengers will become more realistic, with a new cabin training facility to be ready next year (2017) at the Institute of Technical Education (ITE) for students.

The Scoot-Tigerair Service Skills Centre, which will be built at the ITE College West campus at Choa Chu Kang, will house a mock 30-seat cabin, galley and lavatory for students to practise their skills "onboard".

Plans for the centre were announced on Tuesday (Sept 6) at an event, where ITE signed a five-year agreement with Scoot and Tigerair. It is the post-secondary institution's first partnership with both budget airlines.

ITE chief executive Bruce Poh said ITE students will now have more opportunities for industry attachments with the carriers, and their departments or subsidiaries. These internships will be open to students in ITE's School of Business and Services.

Mr Poh said that ITE interns who take on the role of cabin crew will be paid the same salaries and allowances offered to the carriers' full-time staff.

"Through active learning and on-the-job training, those who pass through our doors will be firmly placed on the path to success as skilled service professionals in the airline sector, and contribute to Singapore's standing as a major aviation and tourist hub," he added.

From next year, students can also take a new module in passenger service excellence to learn about providing customised service for passengers. The 60-hour course will be conducted over several months.

ITE and both budget carriers will also jointly develop e-learning and training videos for students and airline crew.

Mr Lee Lik Hsin, chief executive of Budget Aviation Holdings which operates both carriers, said that Scoot and Tigerair are "growing very fast" and there is an "ever-increasing need for cabin crew". He added that he looks forward to welcoming ITE students as full-time cabin employees in the future.