SBS Transit launches new career development framework for rail engineers

SBS Transit today, 29 May 2015, unveiled a new career development framework aimed at developing the professional competency of its rail engineers. The new framework will allow its rail engineers to be groomed to pursue either an engineering or a management track as they advance. It will also allow promising rail engineers to be fast tracked in their career paths.

The move comes amidst a growing demand for skilled rail engineers. With new Lines coming onstream, the demand for specialist rail engineers has increased.

SBS Transit, which runs the Northeast Line and the Downtown Line, currently employs over 200 engineers and expects to recruit another 100 more in the next five years.

As part of the revamp, rail engineers will have their job titles change to reflect their specialization - instead of just their corporate rank. They will start their careers as Engineers or Senior Engineers. Based on competency and job performance, they can move on to the Second Level to become Assistant Engineering Managers, then Engineering Managers before assuming the responsibilities of Senior Engineering Managers. (Please refer to Annex 1 for the career progression chart). Concurrently, they will be systematically trained in other key areas of Rail Engineering, People Management, Business Management and Safety and Security Leadership as part of their holistic competency development.

In addition, existing engineers in the First and Second Levels can also look forward to being accredited as Chartered Engineers in four years. During this period, SBS Transit will support their efforts such as granting them study leave as well as sponsoring related fees in their journey towards accreditation. Over the next five years, SBS Transit plans to have between five and 10 Chartered Engineers annually in its fold. At the Third Level, rail engineers will now have the option to choose either an engineering or a management track in their career progression. They can eventually advance to be Technical Heads or Heads of Department under the engineering and management tracks respectively. This is a new pathway under the new Framework.

Mr Christopher Hon, a 27-year-old rail engineer with SBS Transit for two years, said: 'I see immense opportunities for me to grow with SBS Transit, especially with the company supporting its engineers to obtain certification as a Chartered Engineer. I feel the structured framework, and wide range of training and industrial exposure would stand me in good stead as I work to progress to the senior management level."

As for engineering staff who are non-degree holders, the new Framework will offer them the opportunity to move up the ranks to executive position. For a start, they will be re-designated as Technical Officers/Senior Technical Officers from the current Maintenance Supervisor/Senior Maintenance Supervisors. Exceptional Technical Officers can be promoted to Engineers and continue to the position of Senior Engineering Managers. (Please refer to Annex 2)

SBS Transit Chief Executive Officer, Mr Gan Juay Kiat, said: "As SBS Transit Rail grows and evolves, it is important that we have a talent base of engineers to support our operations and maintenance. This framework will help us to recruit and groom engineers to develop their competency to achieve their full potential. With higher competency, recognition and career progression for our engineers, this will ultimately benefit the entire rail industry."

Annex 1

Career Progression for Executives and Above

Annex 2

Career Progression for Non-Degree Holders