By Nicholas Yong

A NEW postgraduate programme in aviation management has been given the green light here. This is the latest in a growing number of tertiary courses helping to cement Singapore's status as a training centre for the industry.

Just last month, another aviation training programme began testing here, which will equip commercial airline pilots with more relevant hands-on skills during their training.

The aviation management programme, launched by the Auston Institute of Management and Technology - which is partnering Coventry University and Emirates Aviation College - plans to offer 30 places a year, with potential to increase this to 150 annually.

The 18-month part-time course for working adults, which was launched last Thursday, has stirred interest among potential students around the region, such as Australia, Thailand and Hong Kong.

By combining management topics with the broader aspects of aviation, the course will 'give (students) that leg up to move into more senior management positions', said Professor Donald Pennington, pro vice-chancellor of Coventry University, last Thursday.

The programme comes on top of the existing courses already offered by the universities, polytechnics and aviation training schools here, which churn out about 1,350 graduates each year.

The National University of Singappore, Nanyang Technological University and the five polytechnics offer 14 aviation-related courses at undergraduate and diploma levels, with more than 3,500 students currently enrolled. Singapore Polytechnic has the largest enrolment with more than 1,000 students.

A machine engineer with a diploma can earn more than $3,750 a month, while a quality assurance manager can earn more than $5,000.

Despite the global recession, the Association of Aerospace Industries Singapore (AAIS) expects that the industry will need about 1,500 new workers every year.

Growth of the industry slowed to just over 4 per cent last year, down from the double-digit growth achieved in all but one year since 2004.

'Right now, the manpower situation has stabilised. There are just enough graduates, as employment has been a bit soft for the past few months due to the downturn, because a number of companies are not employing or not filling vacancies,' said AAIS executive director Aloysius Tay.

But companies are still preparing for future growth. Singapore Aero Engine Services recently completed the extension of a maintenance, repair and overhaul facility near Changi Airport, which will eventually create more than 100 additional jobs. These include technicians, planners, quality assistants and engineers.

Dr Tay added that the demand for experienced aerospace technicians has been picking up. He said there would again be a manpower shortage once the industry takes flight again.

Mr Robin Chong, 19, who is studying for a diploma in aviation management and services at Temasek Poly, said: 'There is a downturn now, but I believe the industry will come out stronger than ever. It is unique, in that it will never stop growing,' he said.

This article was first published in The Straits Times.