New course to train experts on Singapore coastal protection against rising sea levels

The Republic’s coastlines are set to be bustling with activity in the next few decades, as seawalls, coastal barriers and mangroves will be used to defend the island from rising seas.

- Shabana Begum Correspondent

To meet the talent gap in the emerging coastal protection sector, the Singapore Water Association (SWA) is launching a course to increase the number of professionals and help current ones beef up their knowledge on shielding coastlines and managing floods.

The first two modules will run on Oct 2 and 3, and the rest of the six modules will be held every quarter or so, stretching to the second half of 2026. The modules will cover coastal processes, flood modelling, marine biodiversity and ecology, construction and community engagement, among other topics.

The SWA is a 21-year-old organisation that represents Singapore’s water industry. Its coastal protection chapter was formed in 2024.

Initially expecting no more than 25 people to sign up for the masterclass, SWA’s managing director Michael Toh was encouraged to see close to 40 attendees. Most are engineers who may be looking to pivot and specialise in coastal protection, with some civil servants from government agencies.

The masterclass is relevant to those with at least five years of work experience in the engineering field.

Mr Yang Zi Qian, training and education lead of SWA’s coastal protection chapter, said: "This particular field is very specialised, and there is not a lot of expertise in terms of available talent in Singapore. On a global level, coastal protection is still a niche field."