Singapore’s maritime sector continues to face the challenge of tightening talent pool. As experienced professionals become harder to recruit and retain, companies must look beyond traditional sources and tap into talent from adjacent industries. To support our members, the Singapore Shipping Association (SSA) has been actively reaching out to help them secure practical workforce solutions, particularly through Workforce Singapore’s Career Conversion Programme (CCP) for the Sea Transport Sector.
Helping Member Companies Secure Grants and Build Future-Ready Teams
Navigating grants and manpower schemes can be a complex and administratively heavy process. As an appointed programme partner for CCP, SSA is the industry’s key touchpoint when they apply for the grant. We support members through each step from eligibility checks to filing claims, to make the process is as painless as possible. Through direct engagement, one‑on‑one guidance, and hands-on support, SSA ensures companies can onboard CCP smoothly, accurately, and with minimal administrative burden.
As the industry continue to experience shifts brought about by digitalisation and sustainability, the programme supports workforce transformation that is in line with business transformation needs. SSA works closely with applying companies to redesign job roles, ensuring inclusivity for our local workforce in the transformation journey.
Our Impact in 2025
This hands-on approach encourages companies to tap new talent pools and transform existing jobs while reducing hiring and training costs. In 2025, SSA worked with 48 companies to onboard the CCP programme, resulting in:
- 146 new hire placements
- 53 job redesign placements
These outcomes demonstrate that there is industry demand for mid-career professionals as companies strengthen workforce resilience. In 2026, SSA will intensify engagement efforts to reach more members and widen the impact of workforce transformation across the maritime sector.
What Our Members Say
KST Maritime
Faced with a shortage of experienced maritime staff, KST Maritime needed a solution that would allow them to hire beyond traditional sources. With funding support that helped offset manpower and training costs, CCP enabled the company to more confidently bring in non-maritime professionals.
Ms. Pua Pei Ying, HR Manager, KST Maritime said “SSA’s guidance throughout the process was particularly valuable. They provided clear instructions, answered our queries promptly, and ensured that we obtained the grant efficiently. Their support made the application process straightforward and stress-free. By facilitating access to CCP benefits, SSA has enabled KST Maritime to strengthen workforce planning, develop talent from diverse backgrounds, and navigate the industry’s manpower challenges more effectively.”
Golden Island
Golden Island leveraged on CCP to accelerate employee reskilling and and support their digitalisation journey. Despite initial challenges when moving towards e-bunkering, CCP provided the necessary structure and training to ease the transition.
With comprehensive training and support during on-the-job training, Golden Island employees have transitioned smoothly. The programme has also helped them to hire and train new employees to fill emerging skill gaps that came with the digital shift. Initiatives like the CCP have proven critical in supporting SMEs to be resilient and efficient in their transition during tough times.
“SSA has patiently guided us throughout the application, and we felt very supported during the entire process; it was smooth and easy. We hope more initiatives like this can be introduced to support more businesses in their transformation journey.”
Mr. Kenny Yap, New Energy Manager, Golden Island
SSA remains committed to helping maritime companies attract fresh talent, secure funding support, and transform effectively for the future.
For more information on how SSA can support your hiring and training needs with CCP, please contact us at ccp@ssa.org,sg.
“The CCP programme has been instrumental in addressing this issue by encouraging companies to hire non-maritime staff…”
Ms. Pua Pei Ying, HR Manager, KST Maritime