By Ellen Joy Anastacio

SINGAPORE - Over 500 jobs are expected to be generated over the next three years with the opening of Rolls-Royce's integrated manufacturing and training facility.

The global power systems company today officially opened its largest facilities in Asia at Seletar Aerospace Park  in Singapore.

The 154,000 square metre site was opened by Singapore Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong, together with Sir Simon Robertson, Chairman, Rolls-Royce plc, Mike Terrett, Chief Operating Officer, Rolls-Royce plc, Cedric Foo, Chairman of  JTC Corporation, and Leo Yip, Chairman of the Economic Development Board (EDB).

The new campus, which represents an investment of over $700 million, is expected to generate over 500 new jobs in Singapore in the next two to three years, bringing the number of people employed by the firm in Singapore to over 2,000. So far, 200 new recruits are already working in the new facility

"We decided to build facilities on this campus because Singapore has an excellent education system and highly qualified and motivated people. This is of critical importance as we expect eighty to ninety per cent of our workforce at Seletar to be Singaporeans," said Sir Simon Robertson.

Skilled jobs will be available with positions ranging from technicians, production craftsmen, managers, to those with high technical capabilities, such as material scientists, physicists, chemists, mathematicians, and engineers.

Mr Terrett said while many countries were in the list of those competing to be the location of the Rolls-Royce campus, the Singapore government's approach to solving problems, as well as the enormous support from the authorities was a major differentiator in Singapore being the ultimate choice.  

Addressing the guests at the opening ceremony, PM Lee said that while Rolls Royce could have chosen any country for the new campus, it chose Singapore. He said this reflects their confidence in Singapore and its future.

The Rolls-Royce Seletar Campus includes an Assembly and Test Unit; a Wide Chord Fan Blade manufacturing facility; an Advanced Technology Centre; and a Regional Training Centre.

"This is a facility like no other, where amongst a range of advanced manufacturing, research and training activities, we will for the first time assemble and test large commercial aeroplane engines outside the UK," said Sir Robertson in his welcome speech.

Mr Terrett said: "This fantastic facility gives Rolls-Royce additional capacity to deliver our record order book. Importantly, this also marks an important new phase of our relationship with Singapore. For the first time outside our traditional home facilities, we will produce our unique Wide Chord Fan Blades and assemble and test large commercial jet engines."

Approximately 1,000 highly skilled people will be housed in the campus, with most involved in assembling a Trent aero engine.

"The Rolls-Royce Seletar Campus brings together state of the art technologies, advanced manufacturing techniques and highly skilled people to produce some of the most advanced aero engines in the world," said Mr Terrett.

The company expects that its value-added contribution in Singapore will increase from 0.3 per cent of the country's gross domestic product (GDP) currently, to 0.5 per cent of the GDP projected in 2015. Mr Terrett explained that this is mainly from the possible activity generated, involvement from its direct and indirect suppliers, as well as through the number of jobs created by its new facility.

ellenja@sph.com.sg