[The Jolt] CAAS looking to hire

Singapore - The Civil Aviation Authority of Singapore (CAAS) is actively recruiting to fill more than 400 new job positions for the upcoming corporatisation of Changi Airport and the restructuring of CAAS.

CAAS said it is looking to hire professionals, managers, executives and technical officers when CAAS's existing functions get split between its restructured entity and the new airport come 1 July 2009.

The recruitment effort for the 400 vacancies is targeted at professionals with tertiary qualifications like engineers, accountants and managers to undertake key roles in the strategic, regulatory and airport operations functions as well as executives and technical officers for administrative and technical building maintenance support.

The company said the corporatisation will see the restructured CAAS undertaking the role of the regulator to drive the regulatory functions including aviation safety and airworthiness. The entity will also provide air traffic services, conduct internal relations, partner government bodies like the EDB in the promotion and development of the aviation industry and Singapore as an air hub.

The new airport company on the other hand is expected to play the role of an airport operator and will undertake operational functions focusing on airport operations and management, operations and airport emergency services.

"The objective of corporatisation is to enhance Changi Airport's competitiveness and strengthen our aviation hub status," said Lim Kim Choon, CAAS director-general and CEO. "The corporatisation and restructuring exercise seeks to create two equally strong entities with a good share of its current talents so that they are able to operate smoothly upon separation. In addition, the corporatisation process presents new employment opportunities as the new entities create over 400 new positions to augment the existing CAAS' staff strength."