KBA Training Centre has delivered its first female Singaporean diver who has completed both the Level 1, Commercial Self Contained Underwater Breathing Apparatus (CSCUBA) diver course and Level 2, Surface Supplied Diving Equipment (SSDE) diver course.
Siti Naqiah Tusliman is the first female commercial diver specialised for the work in the industry which has always been male-dominated due to the nature of the working environment which can be harsh and both physically and mentally demanding.
The sixth run of the KBAT Commercial Diver training course, that has come to an end as of late May 2017, has allowed two graduates inclusive of Ms. Naqiah to secure employment with a local-based diving contractor.
In addition, five out of the six trainees who have completed the training had successfully applied for the new course funding approved by SkillsFuture Singapore Agency (SSG) formerly known as the Workforce Development Agency (WDA) under Singapore Workforce Skills Qualifications (WSQ) system.
In Singapore, there are currently an approximate of 150 – 200 inland/inshore commercial divers with only about 25% having undergone the certified ISO 29990:2010 Standard Commercial Diver training programme or equivalent that fully complies with the National Commercial Diving Standards in Singapore.