As part of SMRT Corporation’s on-going strategy to
improve workforce health, SMRT today introduces a new progressive
career scheme for all bus captains. The new scheme, called the
‘SMRT Bus Captain (BC) Scheme’, is developed as a result of
on-going collaboration between SMRT’s management and the National
Transport Workers’ Union.
This new scheme aims to arm SMRT’s Bus Captains with the
training and skills to provide better service to commuters,
increase productivity level, and deliver an enhanced travel
experience focused on the service standards of Safety, Reliability,
Care and Comfort.
The SMRT BC Scheme includes the restructuring of salary
ranges, productivity and performance incentives; as well as a
refreshed training plan targeted to enable career progression. This
newly launched Scheme, which adopts the Labour Movement’s
Progressive Wage Model[1] concept, will match training and job
re-design for each Bus Captain – thus helping to ensure more
targeted career progression plans and enhanced wages for the
BCs.
Under this scheme, the average Singaporean SMRT Bus
Captain can earn up to $3,500 a month after overtime and
performance incentives, which consist of factors that
reward Safety, Punctuality, and Customer Service.
Mr. Desmond Kuek, President and CEO of SMRT Corporation said,
“The ability to retain talent and maintain our staff’s workforce
health is key in ensuring that SMRT continues to deliver an
excellent travel experience to commuters. The new BC scheme takes a
progressive approach to training our bus captains beyond basic
driving skills to include service and supervisory skills. In doing
so, they can also progress in their careers to drive more complex
routes, provide better service, and even move into supervisory and
trainer/mentor roles. ”
The new career progression framework will underline a clear
route of advancement, with opportunities to progress into
supervisory positions such as Master Bus Captain, which includes
group supervisor and instructor responsibilities. Promotion and
upgrading criteria are set to each of the six bus captain (BC)
ranks leading to Master BC. This is coupled with tailored training
at each stage, and a structured remuneration and salary upgrade
scheme in line with their increased skill levels and job
responsibilities.
Mr Ong Chin Ang, Executive Secretary of National
Transport Workers’ Union said, “Previously, competent drivers hit
their career ceiling after three promotions when they become Chief
Service Leaders. We also recognised that there is still room for
current wages to move up. By adopting the Labour Movement’s
Progressive Wage Model concept, the union worked together with SMRT
management to relook and restructure the scheme to help bus
captains achieve better career progression and wages, and ensure
its sustainability. With the new model in place, traditional
front-line roles are transformed and bus captains can look forward
to training and advancement opportunities to supervisory positions
with higher wages.”
Mr. Kuek added, “This new career scheme is a fine illustration
of the strong relationship and constant dialogue between the
company, employees and the union. With this scheme, which is in
line with the Labour Movement’s Progressive Wage Model, we
hope a better trained, energised and engaged workforce will
ultimately create a more reliable and service-oriented bus service
that our passengers can enjoy.”
Please refer to attachment for details
[1] Launched by the Labour Movement in 2012, the Progressive
Wage Model centres around helping workers earn better wages through
skills upgrading and productivity. The four key components of the
model are: salary progression; skills upgrading; career
advancement; and productivity improvement.
source:
[url=http://www.mynewsdesk.com/sg/smrt/pressreleases/smrt-introduces-new-bus-captain-progressive-career-scheme-925917]SMRT
Introduces New Bus Captain Progressive Career Scheme - SMRT
Corporation Ltd.[/url]
