NewswireToday - /newswire/ - Singapore, Singapore, 02/27/2009 - Facilitated by the Jamaican Trade Office in Singapore, the Air Transport Training College (ATTC), Singapore, has received an Approved Training Organization Certificate from the Jamaican Civil Aviation Authority (JCAA).

This certification allows the ATTC to train and equip individuals on the necessary standards and competencies necessary to obtain the licensing necessary to attain JCAA-qualified Aircraft Engineers Credentials. This is also the commencement of a process that will eventually allow ATTC to partner in the operation of a school in Kingston, Jamaica. Preparations are now underway to have a new Aviation Training College to be established by end 2009.

This is the first time that ATTC will be able to establish such a school remotely in a different country where local people can use the ATTC curriculum. It therefore represents a concrete step forward in ATTC’s international influence and scope. Mr. Poon Chia Wee, Managing Director of ATTC, elaborates: “This ATO is significant in that, I believe it’s the first time that Jamaica has awarded an ATO to a foreign organization. It’s also the first time that ATTC will try to venture outside our comfort zone, into a place half the world apart.”

This certificate is the result of a process that began in February 2008, when the Honorable Michael Henry, Jamaican Transport Minister, visited Singapore and ATTC; and demonstrates Jamaica’s desire to build strong educational and industrial ties with Singapore and ATTC’s desire to create opportunities for Singaporeans in other international regions. It is a partnership of mutual benefit to both the people of Jamaica and the people of Singapore.

Mr. Courtney Bailey, Airworthiness Manager, Jamaican Civil Aviation Authority, said, “This Approval opens the door for opportunities of mutual cooperation between our two States as well as for commercial partnerships between private sector companies of our two nations. Already efforts are underway to establish a satellite training institution in Jamaica that we hope to see reaping mutual benefits in the creation of a skilled Labour force to serve the interest of our two States.”

Dr. Aloysius Tay, Jamaican Minister of Transport’s Envoy and Trade Comissioner in Singapore, adds: “This partnership is a great opportunity for the people of Jamaica. The new training establishment in Jamaica will allow young Jamaican men and women to be trained in many of the courses offered by ATTC. This is a great opportunity not just for exposure but for people in Jamaica to learn concrete skills to be used in an international climate.”

The Honorable Minister Henry commented that presently there is no official Air Training School in Jamaica, but a new facility is being developed at the Vernamfield complex. He further said that this initattive was a welcome addition to the menu of training and employment opportunities available to persons, particularly young people, in Jamaica. With this, prospective students will be trained to become certified aircraft technicians. These trained technicians would become available for employment in the local industry, where such skills are short. There will also be the possibility of this institution being used as a 'feeder' for the global industry.

Agency / Source: Jamaican Trade Commission in Singapore

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