LTA rolls out $12.5m fund to boost public transport manpower

To improve bus and rail services.

The Land Transport Authority (LTA) is doling out $12.5m over the next three years in an effort to attract and retain talent in the public transport industry.

According to a news release by the LTA, the Public Transport Sectoral Tripartite Committee (PTSTC) will oversee initiatives that will “include the development of more industry-relevant programmes, sponsorship of study awards and training grants, a skills-based progression framework, and an industry-wide branding of the sector.”

“The public transport industry will be growing over the next 15 years at least as we double our rail network and expand our bus services. To support this growth, we are looking for individuals who are ready to make a difference and equipping them with the right skillsets. Through these public transport manpower development initiatives, we hope to enlarge the manpower pipeline, as well as to provide sufficient upgrading development opportunities for better retention and career progression,” said LTA Chief Executive Chew Men Leong.

Partnerships will be established between training and educational institutions and PTSTC to provide everyone- from young students to mid-careerists- avenues through which they can broaden and improve their skillset and knowledge in relevance to careers in public transport.

LTA will also provide seed grants for new training facilities, like labs and simulators that facilitate the teaching of industry-relevant railway engineering programmes.

To drum up awareness and boost the image of the rail and bus sectors, LTA will hold career talks, fairs, and internships with public transport operators starting next year.