PRESS RELEASE Report

EMBARGOED TILL 5 OCTOBER 2017, 3.00PM

MEDIA RELEASE

LAUNCH OF SKILLSFUTURE FOR DIGITAL WORKPLACE

Building Confidence in All Singaporeans for the Digital Economy

SINGAPORE, 5 OCTOBER 2017 – The SkillsFuture for Digital Workplace was launched today by the Minister for Education (Higher Education and Skills), Mr Ong Ye Kung. This new national initiative will equip Singaporeans with basic digital skills required at the workplace and in their daily lives, and cultivate a positive mind-set towards change.

To better prepare Singaporeans for the digital economy, the SkillsFuture for Digital Workplace is structured as a two-day training programme that introduces critical areas such as cyber security as well as the interpretation and use of data. Through a hands-on, interactive and practical approach, participants will learn how to use common digital applications including e-payments and how to apply for courses that are eligible for SkillsFuture Credit. Such activities and tasks aim to help participants build digital confidence and adopt a positive mind-set towards change, innovation and resilience. (Please refer to Annex A for more information on SkillsFuture for Digital Workplace programme.)

Led by SkillsFuture Singapore (SSG), the programme has been developed and implemented with strong support from the labour movement, employers, as well as technology partners such as Microsoft, Samsung and Lazada. It aims to benefit 100,000 Singaporeans over the next three years. SkillsFuture for Digital Workplace has commenced its pilot run in July this year, and over 330 participants have been trained. Companies such as Singtel, Maybank, Fei Siong Group, Courts and SIA Engineering Company have found the programme useful and sent their staff for it.

To meet the needs of different employers and Singaporeans, SSG recognises that a one-size-fits-all approach will not work, and some customisation is necessary. As a start, SSG has therefore appointed seven training partners to deliver the programme. Based on a common syllabus, there will be variations of the training programme that are customised to meet the different needs. By year end, SSG expects to expand the list of training providers to include all the Polytechnics, the Institute of Technical Education (ITE) and IBM. (Please refer to Annex B for the list of training providers.)

Over 35 companies have committed to send their staff for training within the next 12 months. The appointed training providers also plan to conduct classes at convenient community-based venues such as community centres and public libraries, in order to reach out to more Singaporeans.

Mr Ng Cher Pong, Chief Executive of SkillsFuture Singapore said, “The digital transformation of the economy brings about new opportunities, and acquiring digital skills is essential for them to tap on these potentials. We have received good responses to the pilot run of the programme, with strong interest in the programme from the public and employers, as well as support from technology companies that are keen to collaborate on the programme. Singaporeans will find the skills taught in the classes useful to their daily work and lives. We will also be holding these courses to the community, in order to make it easier for Singaporeans to participate and benefit from the programme.”

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For media enquiries, please contact:

Shan Singam (Ms)

Senior Manager, Media Relations,

Corporate and Marketing Communications

DID: 6512 1060

Mobile: 9299 1127

E-mail: shan_singam@ssg.gov.sg

Cherlyn Tan (Ms)

Manager, Media Relations

Corporate and Marketing Communications

DID: 6307 7404

Mobile: 9800 0108

Email: cherlyn_tan@ssg.gov.sg

About SkillsFuture Singapore

SkillsFuture Singapore (SSG) drives and coordinates the implementation of the national SkillsFuture movement, promotes a culture of lifelong learning and strengthens the ecosystem of quality education and training in Singapore. Through a holistic system of national SkillsFuture initiatives, SSG enables Singaporeans to take charge of their learning journey in their pursuit of skills mastery. SSG also works with key stakeholders to ensure that students and adults have access to high quality and industry-relevant training that meet the demands of different sectors of the economy for an innovative and productive workforce. For more information, visit www.ssg.gov.sg

ANNEX A

FACTSHEET ON SKILLSFUTURE FOR DIGITAL WORKPLACE

The SkillsFuture for Digital Workplace is a national initiative designed to equip Singaporeans with the mind-set and skills to prepare for the future economy. This includes developing basic understanding of emerging technologies and their impact on the workplace, learning how to interpret and use data as well as cultivating a mind-set for change, innovation and resilience.

For Individuals

The 2-day programme seeks to equip Singaporeans with foundational digital skills. It will help Singaporeans to build awareness, knowledge and competencies needed in the future economy.

For Employers

Employers will be able to tap on the SkillsFuture for Digital Workplace to equip their employees with the right mind-set and skills to embrace technological changes and to seize new opportunities in the future economy.

Training Partners

Training Partners	Programmes
Capelle Academy	Key Takeaways for Participants: Navigate popular apps, platforms, devices and media (e.g. productivity, food delivery, transportation, photography, and more) Understand cyber, data, password security and identify secure websites Use work productivity tools (e.g. Slack, Trello, Mural) that save time and cost Explore new technologies through hands-on group activities Go on a field trip to National Design Centre; get hands-on 3D printing experience
Nanyang Polytechnic (NYP)	Asian Culinary Institute (ACI) Key Takeaways for Participants: Learn about the current and emerging technology trends in the F&B and hospitality industry (e.g. kitchen automation, robotic servers, digital ordering, and data analytics) Gain insights into the latest cyber security threats that impact you and how to minimise such threats
	School of Information Technology Key Takeaways for Participants: Gain awareness of various technologies such as Augmented Reality, Virtual Reality, Machine Learning with the use of gadgets and experiential activities Embark on learning journeys to NYP’s state-of-the-art innovation and technology centres such as Centre for IT Innovation and Additive Manufacturing Centre
	Singapore Institute of Retail Studies (SIRS) Key Takeaways for Participants: Be acquainted with various emerging technology in today’s era of data-driven retailing Gain insight into the dynamic retail industry Be immersed in a technology-rich learning environment to understand change that will affect one’s workplace and social interaction Create innovative retail concepts by recommending suitable technology, data and skills Get first-hand experience with various technology used in retail though SIRS’ Retail Innovation Centre for Enterprises (RICE)
NTUC LearningHub	Key Takeaways for Participants: Get introduced to the potential of technology in the workplace and learn how to leverage these technologies to become more productive Learn digital tools relating to cyber security, information management, and data analytics through customisable activities depending on one’s job function and industries Be able to experientially and interactively apply these skills in a simulated workplace-based activity Participate in a half-day field trip that immerses participants in the technological possibilities of working and living in a Smart Nation
Rohei Corporation	Key Takeaways for Participants: Learn about the three mega shifts happening in the world today, work trends and how to be future ready Understand how technology is used to solve problems today Know what barriers are there to innovation and how to overcome them Find out about collaborating using technology, challenges and opportunities of the future economy, and ways to protect from common cyber security threats Improve learning agility and ways to increase it, and get acquainted with different avenues for self-directed learning
Singapore Management University (SMU)	Key Takeaways for Participants: Gain insight into how technology is transforming workplaces – be it in the office, factories, shop floor or in the various transport modes Learn how to harness digital data to one’s advantage
Singapore University of Social Sciences (SUSS)	Key Takeaways for Participants: Learn how to shift one’s mindset to anticipate changes in a digitised workplace through reflecting on the real-world changes Reflect and decide on one’s Future Development Plans through the enriched experience and shared learning journeys presented in a Gallery Walk
Training Vision Institute (TVI)	Key Takeaways for Participants: Adapt to a digitally-rich environment, and learn to search online for information Enhance one’s productivity and innovative abilities by downloading and using apps relevant to one’s work Understand the risks of cyber dangers, and learn about viruses and cyber hacking

Technology Partners

Technology Partners	Description
IBM	IBM will be appointed as a training partner to deliver the SkillsFuture for Digital Workplace programme from Q4 2017.
Lazada	Lazada has partnered with NYP-SIRS to support the programme with e-commerce platforms and solutions for participants to learn how to expand online sales, start an online business or be introduced to online purchase and delivery of products.
Microsoft	Microsoft will be supporting the SkillsFuture for Digital Workplace programme with content and learning journeys for participants.
Samsung	Samsung has partnered with NYP-ACI to support the programme with technical solutions (e.g. mobile ordering platform and an integrated Point-of-Sales (POS) system integrating Front-of-House to Back-of-House operations applicable to the Food Services sector.

For more information on SkillsFuture for Digital Workplace, please visit skillsfuture.sg/digitalworkplace or contact the various CET partners.

ANNEX B

Table 1 List of Training Partners
S/N	Training Partners
1	Capelle Academy
2	Nanyang Polytechnic Asian Culinary Institute School of Information Technology Singapore Institute of Retail Studies
3	NTUC LearningHub
4	Rohei Corporation
5	Singapore Management University
6	Singapore University of Social Sciences
7	Training Vision Institute

Table 2 List of Upcoming Training Partners
S/N	Training Partners
1	IBM
2	Institute of Technical Education
3	Ngee Ann Polytechnic
4	Republic Polytechnic
5	Singapore Polytechnic
6	Temasek Polytechnic