13 August 2020: The COVID-19 pandemic has led to closing of international borders and in turn increased downtime for many MROs. Numerous aerospace companies across the world have forced to furlough, downsize the employees or completely shut-down the operations. However some companies like the dnata have encouraged their staff to undergo virtual training leveraging on SkillsFuture Singapore’s Enhanced Training Support Package (SSG ETSP). The ETSP is aimed at supporting sectors affected most due to the economic impact of the pandemic to better position them for the post-COVID-19 recovery. dnata recently completed their third month if upskilling and multi-skilling its workforce via virtual training.
The initial series covered leadership training courses of which almost 500 have been successfully completed till date. dnata will be expanding these with more programmes to equip the Singapore team with emerging skills that will support the company’s digital innovation and transformation drive in the months ahead. Partnering with organisations like the National University of Singapore (NUS) and National Trades Union Congress (NTUC) Learning Hub, a key focus remains to enhance the team’s skills to use and analyse data that would better position the business in a post-pandemic environment.
Building on the importance of e-learning, dnata has refreshed its internal Learning Management System – My Learning Zone, which is gradually being rolled out to the various stations across the company’s network. The digital platform supports dnata’s efforts to provide a more structured learning pathway for the employees through a competency development roadmap. Not only does it enhance learning and its effectiveness via engagement and mobile learning, but it also allows the company to track staff capabilities and compliance that also provides customers with additional reassurance.
Dirk Goovaerts, Regional CEO Asia Pacific, dnata said, “It has been encouraging to witness the positive spirit of our people, especially the older workforce embracing technology in their learning journey and going out of their comfort zone to ensure we remain relevant and agile during the road to recovery.”
In Australia, interactive multi-media technology has been used to transfer traditional face-to-face learning into remote delivery formats. This has enabled training to be facilitated across state borders and ports, alleviating the need for travel and the impacts of social distancing restrictions. In one initiative, a trainer in Adelaide delivered a program to several learners in Brisbane. The learners where able to view the training from their home or local workplace. Other training initiatives in Australia have focussed on the cross-skilling and re-skilling of team members to move from COVID impacted business areas to those areas with higher operational demand. Where possible, this training has been delivered using the existing e-learning platform.
At dnata in the Philippines, learning does not stop during the pandemic either. In exceptional cases where face-to-face training cannot be eliminated, dnata continues to conduct training without compromising the safety of staff by strictly observing established safety protocols. As at other stations across the network, dnata has moved a considerable degree of training to internet-based learning, which has proven to be effective.
