In a move to boost the number of tech jobs in Singapore, IBM will hire and train 300 Singaporean professionals from emerging tech areas over the next four years, in a Memorandum of Intent (MOI) signed with Infocomm Media Development Authority (IMDA).
IBM’s “Future-Ready Intelligent Digital Workforce Programme” aims to meet the demand augmented by COVID-19 for technology consulting and deep technical skills that are needed to support this endeavour towards digital transformation across all industries.
IMDA Assistant Chief Executive and EDB Executive Vice President, Kiren Kumar says, “As we push forward with our national digitalisation movement, the ICT sector continues to hold promise for job creation. It remains important to provide opportunities for our professionals to build the necessary skills for tech jobs that power the sector. IMDA’s and DISG’s collaboration with IBM, to help 300 Singaporeans acquire advanced tech skills, is part of our investment in a pipeline of local tech talent as we make a decisive push for digital transformation in our country, so that Singaporeans can continue to do well.”
As part of the collaboration, 240 Singapore professionals will be trained under the TechSkills Accelerator (TeSA) Company-Led Training programme, and 60 Singaporean mid-career professionals will be under the TeSA Mid-Career Advance programme. The programme has an added emphasis on encouraging the participants to constantly learn and be up-to-date with their skills development, and qualify for the specific certifications needed depending on their roles.
The participants will be exposed to emerging technologies such as AI, Advanced Analytics, Blockchain, Cloud, Cyber Security, and IOT, and will be given the chance to build their technical skills with hands-on training.
“The global pandemic has forced businesses to speed up their digital transformation – in many cases, completing in weeks what may have in the past taken months or even years. To accelerate that transformation even more and help companies in Singapore take full advantage of exponential technologies such as AI, Blockchain, Cloud and Cyber Security, IBM Services will continue to collaborate and co-create with our clients to go beyond “random acts of digital,” said Hui Li Lee, Managing Partner, GBS ASEAN, IBM Services.
“We take a holistic, outcomes-focused view which encompasses people, processes and technology. That is why, in addition to skills development, our Future-Ready Intelligent Digital Workforce programme will place emphasis on the practical application of those skills in real-world business scenarios so that, for example, data and AI can make workflows smarter and insights are applied to improve the customer experience.”
