Onboarding@Skill: A Real-World Workshop for Aircraft Engine Maintenance Training
Also newly unveiled at ITE College Central is Onboarding@Skill, a dedicated 200 sq m space that replicates real-world aircraft engine maintenance facilities. Launched on May 15, the space was developed in collaboration with ST Engineering and now caters to over 380 students annually—including those in the Higher Nitec in Aerospace Engineering course and trainees in two ITE work-study diploma programmes.
Prior to the revamp, training was done in traditional labs with a segmented focus. Now, Onboarding@Skill provides a seamless overview of the entire engine overhaul process. The facility features a three-gate system: the first gate receives engines for inspection, the second manages repairs with help from an automated mobile robot, and the third gate handles reassembly and final testing. Aerospace technology lecturer Mr Wong Kok Weng explained that this setup mirrors actual industry practices, giving students a comprehensive understanding of aircraft engine maintenance.
A highlight of the space is a new polishing robot arm that improves safety and efficiency by achieving high-quality finishes while saving up to 102 man-hours per engine. For trainees like Ms Siti Sauhana, who splits her time between ITE and ST Engineering, the setup feels instantly familiar. “The three gates are also what we learn about at work. So this shows students what we can expect when we go to the working site,” she said. Onboarding@Skill exemplifies how ITE is aligning education closely with industry needs, bridging the gap between classroom and career.
Source: The Straits Times
