Working together with the Singapore Industrial and Services Employees’ Union (SISEU), Pratt & Whitney Turbine Overhaul Services, which specialises in the repair and refurbishment of aircraft engine parts, took decisive steps to develop and implement the Progressive Wage Model (PWM).
This has helped 600 workers gain structured career progression and opportunities for skills upgrading. One such example is Maintenance Technician 1 Shawal Surati, who has been with the company for 10 years.
He shared: “Having a progressive career development plan in place makes it much easier for individuals to chart their own progress.
“The transparency also makes it easier for employees to have conversations with their supervisors. I am planning to attend courses that will improve my engineering skills. This will enable me to be deployed to different roles within the company.”
Using a skills ladder, Pratt & Whitney Turbine Overhaul Services and SISEU came up with a matrix that outlines the skills (both core and functional skills) required for manufacturing operations and special process operations. This makes it clearer to staff the skill requirements at each grade, allowing them to take charge of their own career development.
“The benefits to the company from implementing this career development plan are multi-fold.
“We are able to better retain talent as we have found that employees who have benefited tend to stay on longer. Improving the skills and productivity of these employees also have a direct impact on the continued long-term strength of the company,” said the company’s General Manager
Brendon McWilliam.
