The Port Officers’ Union (POU) is launching several programmes to ensure that its members are up to speed with upskilling themselves.
For 61-year-old Lim Choon Chai, the union’s treasurer for the last 16 years, constant learning has become a way of life.
Mr Lim, a deputy manager at PSA’s operational procurement department shares with NTUC This Week the union’s plans to future-proof its members for the new Tuas mega port.
POU currently has some 1,700 members.
NTUC This Week: How has POU been helping workers to stay relevant for the future?
Lim Choon Chai: POU, together with NTUC’s e2i (Employment and Employability Institute), PSA management and the Singapore University of Social Sciences (SUSS) started quarterly professional development seminars for its members. Some of the topics discussed at these seminars include the fourth industrial revolution, trends in the port and shipping industry, and logistics and supply chain [industry]. To support and encourage lifelong learning and to help members take ownership of their own skills upgrading, POU has launched a SkillsFuture Credit top-up scheme with the support of Temasek Foundation Cares. Based on a first-come-first-serve basis, a maximum of 60 grants of up to $250 each will be given to each successful applicant from POU.
Q: What are some of the issues you expect will come up for discussion during the upcoming NTUC Ordinary Delegates’ Conference (ODC)?
A: Representing professionals, managers and executives (PMEs) will be one topic for the upcoming ODC. In this regard, the unions should proactively engage employers to identify new skills requirements for their companies and work with institutes of higher learning to mobilise PMEs to upgrade themselves.
Q: What concerns do you have for your members today?
A : As PSA is moving its container operations to Tuas, members should continue to acquire relevant skillsets to take on new job demands [to handle equipment] such as the Automated Guided Vehicle (AGV) and Automated Rail-mounted Gantry Crane (aRMGs), just to name a few. The speed with which workers have to get future ready is of concern to me and the union management in our constant discussions.
Q: How are you personally keeping yourself updated on the changes at your workplace?
A: I attend at least one or two courses conducted by the PSA University or external trainers every year to acquire new skills so as to keep myself updated to stay relevant in the workplace. My advice to colleagues in my age group - consistently upgrade your skills. It shows your passion and ability to learn new skills are still up and running, and that makes you more marketable.
Source: NTUC This Week
