The young Singaporeans keeping planes flying – and why they love it

Every plane that takes off is a marvel of engineering – and it takes a large team of dedicated, passionate people coming together to ensure that the aircraft brings passengers to their destinations safely and smoothly.

Mr Ali Fadhli Shamsuddin, 23, is one of them. The technician at ST Engineering’s engine maintenance, repair, and overhaul (MRO) business is part of a team maintaining and repairing aircraft engines.

As a welder and sheet metal technician at ST Engineering’s engine MRO facility in Paya Lebar, he repairs and assembles engine components. These days, when he sees a plane taking off, he is proud to know that he has contributed to that outcome.

Fresh graduate Lim Jia Ying, 23, had a similar moment recently when she boarded a flight. Realising her flight was powered by a GE Aerospace engine gave her a thrill.

“I was excited to know that I was flying on a plane with engines that my company had manufactured and maintained,” she recalls.

She is a specialist of FLIGHT DECK, the company’s proprietary operating model that she and her team use to streamline and improve processes, solve problems, and improve safety in the maintenance and repair of engines.

She gets a real kick, she says, of “knowing that the work I do helps shape the way people travel and experience the world”.
 

A growing sector with bright prospects

The two young workers are among the more than 20,000 people working in Singapore’s thriving S$15-billion aerospace sector, which is home to more than 130 aerospace companies carrying out manufacturing, MRO, innovation, and aftermarket services.

Air passenger traffic is forecast to grow faster in this region than anywhere else over the next 20 years, and the number of aircraft is expected to nearly triple to more than 21,500. 
 

This indicates a robust outlook for the aerospace sector, with companies looking to expand and invest in Singapore, including plans to hire more than 2,500 people in the next three to five years. These jobs would span technical, engineering, and corporate roles.

As Asia’s leading aerospace hub, Singapore’s MRO business is expected to reap much benefit, as the growth of aircraft fleets means more demand for maintenance, repair, and overhaul.

Currently, Singapore accounts for 10 per cent of global MRO output, and close to 20 per cent of global engine MRO output. This means that the equivalent of one out of every 10 aircraft, and one out of every five aircraft engines, is serviced in Singapore.

But the bright prospects are not the only reason why Mr Ali Fadhli and Ms Lim chose to join the aerospace sector. Both were drawn to the sector by a genuine curiosity, a clear sense of purpose, and the desire to create meaningful global impact.

Mr Ali Fadhli, who graduated with a Higher Nitec in Mechanical Engineering from the Institute of Technical Education (ITE), had joined ST Engineering on a Work Study Diploma programme, under which he alternated between working and going for lessons at ITE Central.

He was among the first batch of students, and recently graduated with a diploma in Aircraft Engine Maintenance in November.

“I’ve always been passionate about the aerospace sector,” he says. “When I was young, I really liked hands-on work, like repairing my motorbike.”
 

What he likes most about his job, he says, is working on different types of engine components.

“Every day gives me a new challenge, in the variety of work and the opportunity to learn and to develop myself,” he says. “I enjoy problem solving because it allows me to apply my technical knowledge and practical skills.”

For Ms Lim, her decision to join the aerospace sector came after obtaining a diploma in Aerospace Engineering at Temasek Polytechnic and a degree in Mechanical Engineering from the National University of Singapore. While doing an internship in another industry, she caught sight of planes taking off from her office window.

“It made me ask myself, ‘Do I really like the aerospace sector, and would I choose this as my first job?’ And the answer was a definite ‘yes’,” she recalls.
 

Problem-solving and meaningful projects

Since joining last year, Ms Lim has worked on a range of projects, including improving ergonomics to make it more comfortable for technicians working on the engine components, streamlining repair and assembly processes to cut down the steps needed, and implementing clearer work instructions and standardised repair methods – resulting in improved performance and yield while reducing rework hours.
 

“Every process and challenge presents a new learning opportunity,” she says, “be it gaining technical insights, discovering new perspectives from colleagues, or finding better ways to foster collaboration.”

Mr Ali Fadhli, too, has seen his share of meaningful moments. One memorable project was working on an engine component called a turbine frame, which involved long and complex processes of sheet metalwork and welding.

“Our goal was to transform the turbine frame repair process by cutting manhour requirements by nearly half,” he recalls.

“Working together with my seniors, the team undertook a comprehensive review of the workflow, identifying opportunities to optimise the use of resources. We managed to streamline the processes, resulting in a major step forward in repair efficiency.”

At first, both he and Ms Lim were worried that working in the aerospace sector would be extremely challenging. They had heard that it required complex technical skills and high precision. Precision and safety, they were told, were “non-negotiable”, and “the smallest detail can make a huge difference in performance and reliability”, as Ms Lim put it.
 

On joining the sector, however, both of them found that they would receive much help and support to learn and acquire the skills and knowledge needed, and to roll with the complex challenges and problems they faced.

At their companies, they were given many training opportunities to understand their roles and to pick up the know-how that gave them greater confidence.

“At first, I felt overwhelmed thinking about how much was at stake,” recalls Mr Ali Fadhli. “But learning from experience and from my mentors, and practising consistently on my tasks built my confidence.”
 

Training programmes that make a difference

The training he received under the Work Study Diploma programme helped him adapt to the highly demanding work environment of engine repair.

His eye for detail, dedication to his work, and ability to complete tasks quickly and efficiently eventually won him a Best Rookie for Component Repair award in 2024. He was also selected by his company to go to France for training earlier this year.

Working alongside teams from various parts of the world, Mr Ali Fadhli gained first-hand insight into diverse methods, refined techniques, and efficient workflows. 

Beyond learning best practices, the programme allowed him to broaden his understanding of the craft, and he returned with valuable insights that he hoped to apply within his team and area of work.

Having progressed from trainee to qualified technician, he has set his sights on higher positions.

“There’s the senior technician role, then service engineer role,” he says. “There are also opportunities to become a workshop engineer or to take on a leadership role.”
 

Over at GE Aerospace, Ms Lim has also gained much from working on a wide range of projects, including non-technical ones.

This led her to realise that the aerospace sector was not just all about technical jobs, as some might believe, and also opened her eyes to the range of functions and opportunities within the aerospace sector, an early adopter of technologies, where many jobs are also digitalising.

Another big boost is the GE Aerospace Technical Attainment Programme, which rotates young employees like Ms Lim around various functions in the company to expose them to different jobs, help them explore their passion and career interests, and pave the way for long-term career growth in the sector.

Now in her first year of the two-year programme, Ms Lim hopes to gain a better understanding of other functions within GE Aerospace, and looks forward to opportunities to learn other skill sets that will enable her to tap future growth in the aerospace sector. 

“I want to identify where my strengths and passions align and to develop problem-solving and coaching skills,” she says. “Ultimately, my goal is contributing to innovations that would bring people to their destinations safely.”
 

A rewarding choice

Singapore’s aerospace sector has seen strong employment growth, with companies planning to hire 2,500 more employees in the next three to five years.

“Although the sector is highly demanding, it also brings a sense of satisfaction, and it’s incredibly rewarding,” Mr Ali Fadhli says. “If you are truly passionate about aerospace and safety, this sector offers a sense of pride and purpose. Our work helps to keep people safe.”
 

Learn about the beginnings of Singapore’s vibrant aerospace sector and read about how Singaporeans are advancing their careers in global companies based in Singapore.
 

Source: The Straits Times © SPH Media Limited. Permission required for reproduction.