Singapore Aero Engine Services Limited (SAESL) has signed two Memoranda of Understanding (MoUs) with the Singapore Economic Development Board (EDB) and Singapore Polytechnic (SP) to strengthen its talent development strategy and build a future-ready workforce for the engine maintenance, repair and overhaul (MRO) sector.
Announced at the Singapore Airshow 2026, the partnerships will support SAESL’s plans to expand in-house technical capabilities, develop new talent and create a sustainable workforce pipeline as demand for engine MRO services increases.
The agreements form part of SAESL’s broader S$242 million expansion and transformation programme, which is focused on increasing operational capacity, modernising facilities and strengthening its technical capabilities.
Under the MoU with EDB, SAESL will explore the establishment of a dedicated Training Academy. Initially focused on training its own workforce, the academy is intended to accelerate technical skills development as SAESL expands its engine MRO capacity.
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SAESL plans to hire more than 1,000 technicians over the next five years to support its projected engine delivery requirements. The Training Academy is expected to provide structured, hands-on training and help develop the technical capabilities required for increasingly complex engine maintenance programmes.
The second MoU, with Singapore Polytechnic, will focus on strengthening the upstream aerospace talent pipeline. The partnership will align academic programmes more closely with industry MRO requirements and provide students with greater exposure to practical engine maintenance activities.
Planned initiatives include industry-supported elective modules, joint final-year projects and opportunities for students and staff to engage with live MRO environments. Singapore Polytechnic’s School of Mechanical and Aeronautical Engineering is also expected to become an authorised training partner for SAESL, supporting qualification, recurrent and upskilling programmes.
The partnerships are intended to support SAESL’s workforce requirements while contributing to Singapore’s wider aerospace ecosystem and developing skills for advanced, Industry 4.0-enabled MRO operations.
