Pacific International Lines (PIL) has established the PIL Academy, a centre of excellence for learning and development, aimed at providing comprehensive training in maritime and transport logistics for all its employees.
The academy’s goal is to enhance workforce capabilities and future-proof careers. It will collaborate with organizations and technology partners to create a holistic curriculum featuring accredited courses that will benefit both the company and the industry.
The PIL Academy was officially launched by Chee Hong Tat, Singapore’s Minister for Transport and Second Minister for Finance, who served as the Guest of Honour, along with PIL’s Executive Chairman S.S. Teo and CEO Lars Kastrup.
“Singapore aims to be a global hub for maritime talent development, leveraging on our strong tripartite partnership between the government, industry and unions. As the global maritime industry embraces new challenges such as digitalisation and decarbonisation, Maritime Singapore must continue to upskill and reskill our workforce so that workers can remain relevant and competitive. The PIL Academy is an important step forward to achieve Maritime Singapore’s goal of developing a future-ready workforce,” stated Minister Chee.
As the 12th largest shipping carrier globally and Southeast Asia’s largest homegrown liner, PIL employs approximately 8,000 individuals, including 4,000 seafarers worldwide. The PIL Academy aims to deliver structured and customized training to all employees, considering their diverse backgrounds and varied training needs.
The company expects this initiative to enhance PIL’s long-term capabilities and contribute to the overall growth of industry competencies.
The academy offers a comprehensive curriculum that includes technical courses in fleet and vessel operations, safety, quality and productivity, maritime finance and commercial skills, as well as sustainability and decarbonization. Additionally, it covers softer skills such as leadership, innovation, and communications.
“The PIL Academy is part of our people-centric and future-focused commitment to invest in the training and development of our employees. PIL is focussed on the upskilling, career development and international mobility of our employees, as well as supporting sea-to-shore career progression,” commented Lars Kastrup, CEO of PIL.
To kick off its initiatives, PIL Academy has signed Memorandums of Understanding (MOUs) aimed at enhancing workforce skills, fostering maritime collaboration, and developing training expertise. In a groundbreaking move, PIL signed an MoU with the Singapore Institute of Technology (SIT) to jointly create micro-credentials for the Competency-based Stackable Micro-credential (CSM) pathway for PIL employees.
This partnership allows participants to select specialist certificates that align with their current professional development needs and potentially accumulate these towards a degree or higher qualification. Together, PIL Academy and SIT will develop micro-credentials related to the maritime industry and offer continuing education programs and workplace learning projects.
“This collaboration presents a significant opportunity to address the evolving needs of the Maritime sector. Driven by rapid technological advancements, digital transformation, and the industry’s focus on sustainability, the demand for future-proof skills is growing rapidly. By partnering with PIL, we can develop and deliver micro-credentials and courses relevant to the needs of the workforce to equip them with the latest knowledge and skills to thrive in this dynamic landscape. This MOU underscores SIT’s commitment to industry collaboration and knowledge co-creation, ultimately contributing to a future-ready maritime workforce in Singapore and the region,” stated Professor Chua Kee Chaing, President at SIT.
To leverage digital learning, PIL Academy is also partnering with JobKred, a skills management software company, to automate skills planning, talent agility, and capability deployment. This technology-based learning approach allows employees the flexibility to learn at their own pace while managing work commitments.
Additionally, PIL Academy will provide bespoke diplomas in maritime studies through an MoU with the Maritime Training Academy, an international leader in distance-learning marine diplomas. This collaboration will offer students a diverse portfolio of short maritime courses developed by experts in the field.
“We aim to provide a smart learning environment and foster a culture of learning that excites employees in their skills development. Our systematic approach will enable employees to have a common baseline of skills and knowledge, which helps ensure consistent and high-quality performance across the company. In addition, the academy provides a variety of pathways for our staff to grow their career and excel in the maritime transport and logistics sectors,” explained Dr Victor Goh, Dean of the PIL Academy.
Furthermore, the PIL Academy will offer smart learning through a mix of in-person, hybrid, and online lessons, creating work environments that foster active, individualized learning experiences. An advanced technology-enabled Learning Studio and Innovation Lab have been established for participants to interact, communicate, discuss presentations, and collaborate with resources while working in global teams.
Interactive learning platforms will encourage collaborative learning, supported by a library of easily accessible resources and digital channels that actively promulgate learning lessons. These initiatives aim to promote a culture of workplace learning and engagement.
