Singapore's leading air cargo company SATS is actively modernizing its workforce training through the use of artificial intelligence, immersive simulators, and virtual reality, aligning with its plans for the future of airport operations.
Collaborating with universities and polytechnics, SATS is developing sophisticated training tools that replicate airport activities, including less common scenarios, to better prepare ground staff for the evolving aviation industry. The company also plans to inaugurate a new learning center to overhaul instructor-led training, integrating latest technologies to engage employees effectively.
Empowering and Future-Proofing the Workforce
Henry Low, CEO of SATS Singapore Hub, emphasized the importance of making jobs fulfilling and leveraging technology to create meaningful roles. He highlighted that the future workforce will rely less on decades of experience and more on mastering digital tools in a dynamic environment.
"The workforce of today and tomorrow learns in a very different way compared to the workforce of the past, and this is something that we are looking to transform,”
said Mr. Low.
As Singapore prepares to open Terminal 5 in the mid-2030s, aiming to revolutionize airport operations with smarter and more automated systems, SATS is taking proactive steps. It has launched the Hub Handler of the Future program targeting safer, smarter, and more connected ground handling operations, including a new cargo handling facility that reduces processing times by up to 20 percent.
Through increased digitalization, SATS aims to optimize workflows and handle higher cargo volumes without overburdening workers, fostering a culture of working smarter rather than harder. However, rapid technological adoption also raises concerns about job transformation, with reports indicating up to 30 percent of aviation roles could undergo redesign within five years due to artificial intelligence and automation.
SATS invests early in change management, redesigning roles from cargo coordination to customer service and exploring automation in engineering tasks. CEO Low underscored the importance of agility and global awareness to adapt swiftly to international shifts, maintaining seamless cargo and passenger services amid changing conditions.
Looking forward, these initiatives aim to build a resilient, skilled workforce capable of navigating the technological and operational transformations shaping Singapore’s role as a premier global aviation hub.
