Google has updated its Skills Ignition SG (SISG) programme to ensure that more Singaporeans are equipped with in-demand skills.
Firstly, it will offer an enhanced traineeship programme to 60 Singaporeans to meet current industry demands. Selected trainees will undergo a 12-month full-time training programme in Digital Marketing or Professional Cloud Architecture, up from the previous nine months.
As part of its partnership with the Infocomm Media Development Authority, selected trainees will receive mentorship from Google employees, a more comprehensive development plan, and a higher stipend to match the rising market rates.
Secondly, Google has added a Digital Marketing and e-commerce certificate to Google Career Certificates. This will help learners acquire new skills outside traditional learning environments.
Thirdly, Google has expanded its employer consortium to provide SISG graduates direct access to more job opportunities. There are currently 37 companies in the employer consortium, up from the 16 that were considering hiring SISG graduates in January. This includes DBS Bank, Fairprice Group, the Integrated Health Information Systems (IHIS), UBS and Prudential.
Launched together with the Singapore government in 2020, the SISG programme has trained and certified more than 5,500 people locally. Three in four of the previous SISG cohort found jobs with local and global companies, including Google, within six months of graduation.
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"Skills Ignition Singapore enables mid-career talents to build new capabilities and forge new career paths so that they can thrive in the digital economy. We are excited to partner them as we inspire our local talent to reimagine their career and groom them to achieve their full potential,” says Sylvia Lai, senior director & HR Business Partner head at FairPrice Group.
Besides SISG, Google Cloud has partnered with the Smart Nation and Digital Government Group (SNDGG) to help Singapore reinforce its position as a leader in artificial intelligence (AI) innovation.
In addition to co-creating novel AI solutions and shaping AI governance and ethics, the partnership will see Google Cloud helping to deepen the AI capabilities of Singapore’s public service.
“There’s an urgent need for skilled talent with competencies in AI to further develop and implement the technology at scale. By partnering with SNDGG’s National AI Office to cultivate deep AI proficiency in public service and spearheading programmes like Skills Ignition SG to help Singaporeans keep pace with the labour market’s evolving demands, Google remains committed to strengthening Singapore’s social compact and ensuring that all can partake in and benefit from the fast-growing digital economy,” says Sherie Ng, country director of Singapore and Malaysia at Google Cloud.
