Nah, ST don't look at profit center skills.
More of FCL and so forth.
Many with profit center skill-sets are underpaid.

What are profit centre skills in this context??

Well, those are just skillsets that could allow you to earn profit your organization.
Could vary a lot between which job you are applying.

Could be anything from sales/marketing related skillset for the presales, networking/cloud for those doing data-center, programming languages/application of technology for developers to electrical, coolant related skillset for the repair technicians.

The thing about ST is that, when you are applying for a job.
E.g software engineer -> They are looking on your University and how well you fare in grades instead looking at skillsets that could help generate revenue (i.e programming/SDLC/networking/system architecture skillset in this case).

So ended up you might have a Local U FCL in Aerospace with minimum programming background being offered with high 4k range and another one from private U with exposure to different programming language / having some useful technical certs being offered with high 3k - low 4k salary for fresh grad.

whats up with this voluntary retirement thing?

It was the "ask to leave" exercise people has been posting months back. some people said is fake news back then.. Now they know. Dk why people who is not in st keeps trying to speak for st. st loyalty?

s://.straitstimes.com/business/st-engineering-offers-some-staff-early-release-from-jobs

What I "heard" from some senior going to hit 62 in 16 months time being offer a sum equivalent 6-7 mth last drawn basic salary...an option for them to decide. It is up to them to consider the offer.

Once again, due to covid, once this staff accepted, the dept shall -1 manpower, and no hiring for replacement

seem like a win situation for employer only

all staff who resign or ask to leave, will they get hiring replacement??

if no, does it mean all staff in that project or department get extra workload of the guy that left?

must be a salty boomer who think fresh grad must accept underpaid wages and work long hours to prove their worth.

Not necessary. If less contracts come in due to covid the workload not extra.