New training programme to upgrade skills for over 1,000 Aetos security officers

The MoU signing was witnessed by NTUC secretary-general Ng Chee Meng (centre). PHOTO: AETOS HOLDINGS

SINGAPORE - More than 1,000 Aetos security officers will get to upgrade their skills through a new three-tiered training programme, under a memorandum of understanding (MOU) signed between the security firm and the Union of Security Employees (USE) on Wednesday (Sept 23).

This programme - which centres on the creation of a company training committee (CTC) - will provide advanced training packages to teach the security officers new skill sets ranging from increased digital savviness, emergency response and first aid to customer service and facilities management.

The courses will be customised for each Aetos security officer, depending on the facility and location to which he is posted.

Aetos representatives said the skill upgrading would not only lead to a more efficient workforce, but would also boost the wages and job opportunities for the security officers.

The MOU signing was witnessed by National Trades Union Congress secretary-general Ng Chee Meng and Surbana Jurong Group chief executive officer Wong Heang Fine.

Mr Ng said that under the progressive wage model - implemented by the Government to increase wages by upgrading the skills of employees and improving productivity in various sectors - the pay for security officers has gone up by about 14 per cent since 2018.

The progressive wage model was put in place for the security industry in September 2016. According to new figures from NTUC, security officers who earned $1,922 in gross monthly wages in 2018 now take home $2,184 every month.

"Every worker and every job matters, and in particular for low-wage sectors in Singapore, we will do our best to help," said Mr Ng .

"In the last two years, we have seen better productivity growth in the security sector, which has been very encouraging."

He added that programmes like Aetos' would help companies and their staff continually learn and upgrade themselves as Singapore moves towards Industry 4.0 - when automated technologies powered by data may be able to perform everyday tasks.

The CTC programme at Aetos comes in three tiers, with training packages delivered through a series of virtual classroom and physical training courses.

The first tier, "train and place", is a basic course for new security officers to make them more digitally savvy.

Officers then have the option to progress to specialised, value-added courses in the second tier, which could involve fire safety and basic lift rescue management, and cover the fundamentals of building services and safety, such as electrical and plumbing work.

For the highest tier, workers will be sent for courses specially customised to the site's requirements. There, they will learn customer service, facilities management and safety on top of their regular security protocols.

Mr Alfred Fox, executive director and CEO of Aetos Holdings, said: "Through this partnership with USE, we are pleased to pledge our commitment to equip our officers with the necessary skills and integrated competencies to help drive changes in the security industry, create new value and productivity for our clients, and help our officers gain an advantage in terms of career prospects and personal development."

Senior security officer Raymond Ng Way Hong, 59, said he hopes to pursue programmes in first aid and fire safety.

"I would like to take part in new courses to upgrade myself. This is a new challenge for me and where relevant, I would like to explore opportunities to keep learning and stay current," said Mr Ng, who made a career switch to security work in 2018 after 26 years in the food and beverage industry.

Mr Ng also welcomes Aetos' plans to raise the retirement and re-employment ages of its security officers to 65 and 70 respectively, from Oct 1.

"As long as I am physically fit, I would like to keep going," he said.

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