H.E. Gan Siow Huang, Minister of State, Ministry of Foreign Affairs & Ministry of Trade and Industry, Singapore, addressed students and industry representatives at Youth@SIEW 2025, rallying the next generation to take charge of Singapore’s clean energy journey.
Framing her opening remarks around the Singapore International Energy Week (SIEW) 2025 theme “Envisioning Energy Tomorrow, Building Systems Today”, H.E. Ms Gan underscored that the transition to a low-carbon future represents an opportunity for today's youth to reimagine the energy systems of tomorrow.
Powering growth in an evolving sector
H.E. Ms Gan highlighted how Singapore’s energy transition is opening new frontiers for skilled professionals.
According to the Energy Market Authority’s (EMA) 2025 Energy Sector Manpower Survey, the power sector’s workforce grew by 4 percent between 2022 and 2024 — an increase of about 310 workers. Engineers saw nearly 13 percent growth, while skilled technical officers rose by close to 7 percent.
This upward trend isn’t slowing down. EMA’s Workforce Planning Study highlights growing demand for roles in solar PV design, subsea interconnector engineering, and low-carbon fuel technologies such as carbon capture and storage.
To support this shift, EMA has refreshed the Clean Energy Jobs-Skills Insight, a resource that identifies emerging job roles, skillsets, and industry trends. It complements the Skills Framework for Energy and Power — a joint initiative by EMA, SkillsFuture Singapore (SSG), and Workforce Singapore (WSG), providing structured career pathways and clearer progression opportunities for young professionals and mid-career entrants alike.
These resources are intended to help Singaporeans make informed decisions as they embark on a career in the energy sector, H.E. Ms Gan added, encouraging students to explore them as they consider their next steps.
Training, upskilling, and future-ready pathways
Beyond jobs creation, the energy transition is also transforming existing ones, as companies across the sector invest in training, technology, and digitalisation to ensure their workforce stays relevant.
Keppel, for instance, grew its skilled workforce in integrated power operations by 30% and dedicated over 3,650 training hours to next-generation energy systems through joint training initiatives and job rotations. Sembcorp Solar Singapore, the first SkillsFuture Queen Bee in the energy sector, has partnered with Singapore Polytechnic to train up to 100 professionals by 2027 in digital system design and data-driven performance analysis.
EMA is also deepening partnerships with Institutes of Higher Learning (IHLs) to strengthen the bridge between classroom and industry. Collaborations with Ngee Ann Polytechnic and the Institute of Technical Education have led to revised curricula focused on emerging clean energy topics, while a new Internship Training Plan helps students gain experience toward the Licensed Electrical Worker (LEW) qualification.
Innovation and technology at work
The transformation of the energy workforce extends to how work itself is done. SP Group is deploying robotics and digitalisation to improve safety and productivity — most notably through “SPock”, its robotic inspection dog equipped with video and thermal cameras. “SPock” can autonomously navigate underground tunnels, identify defects, and log reports, freeing human technicians for higher-value tasks.
Similarly, YTL PowerSeraya has adopted drone technology for remote tank inspections and plans to extend these applications to solar panels and other plant assets, making operations smarter, faster, and safer.
H.E. Ms Gan noted that such examples illustrate the forward-thinking mindsets needed to make the sector more dynamic and appealing to young talent.
Inspiring the next generation
Youth@SIEW 2025 also featured learning journeys hosted by SP Group, YTL PowerSeraya, and other industry partners, giving students from ITE College West, Singapore Polytechnic, Ngee Ann Polytechnic, Temasek Polytechnic, and the Singapore Institute of Technology first-hand exposure to the sector’s innovations.
These experiences, H.E. Ms Gan noted, can help participants understand the significance of the work done in the power industry, and broaden their perspectives on the diverse career opportunities within it.
H.E. Ms Gan called for youth to explore these opportunities in the energy sector—and make their mark on the future power system.
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