German-based enterprise software company SAP will be collaborating with SkillsFuture Singapore (SSG) and five polytechnics in Singapore to launch training programmes for Information and Communications Technology (ICT) related job roles. The initiative, called as SAP Skills University Singapore, is said to be SAP’s first such collaboration in Southeast Asia. The Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) signing ceremony was witnessed Minister for Education Ong Ye Kung on Friday (Jul 27).
SAP will spearhead the collaborative team in the process of developing and delivering the training programmes. It aims to design the university’s curriculum in accordance to specific industry demand and skills needs required by the technology and their partners. It will conduct training for local citizen to take on ICT-related job roles and anticipate future skills demand so it can build up a pool of skilled Singaporeans who can easily move to these roles when available. The programme is expected to meet manpower and skills needs of not only SAP, but also broader industry including SAP’s customers and partners. The collaboration will also offer career advisory and placements services ICT related jobs, with funding support by SSG.
Within the next three years, more than 1,000 individuals are expected to gain benefits from the collaboration. They will be supported to gain critical skillsets in emerging technologies such as Artificial Intelligence (AI), Data Analytics, and Internet of Things. Recent data from the Ministry of Communications and Information noted that there is demand for over 42,000 workers specialising in data science, Artificial Intelligence and robotic engineering by 2020.
Ng Cher Pong, Chief Executive, SkillsFuture Singapore said, “As technological disruptions are occurring at an unprecedented pace, SSG actively seeks out collaborations with industry partners to enable Singaporeans keep pace with the evolving skills needs in areas such as data science, robotics and AI, in order to support industry transformation. SSG is therefore glad to work with SAP and the polytechnics to set up the SAP Skills University Singapore.”
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Two new work-learn programmes which combine placement and training are also included to be part of the collaboration. Targeted at mid-career individuals, the professional conversion programmes aims to help these individuals gain new skills and transit into the ICT sector. There will also be a programme that caters to fresh polytechnic graduates and facilitate employment opportunities with companies in the ICT industry.
Khor Chern Chuen, Managing Director, SAP Singapore said, “Equipping the workforce with the right skillsets is critical for any organization or economy to be future-ready and keep up with today’s rapidly evolving world of digital disruption.
“With the SAP Skills University Singapore, we aim to facilitate education in the fields of advanced technology and complement the foundation that’s being taught in academic institutions with hands-on learning through SAP products and working experiences. This is a crucial measure in closing the gap between the demand and supply for qualified Information and Communications Technology professionals.”
With a workforce of 3,700 across Southeast Asia (SEA), and thousands more in the SAP ecosystem of over 700 partners, SAP will be drawing from its expertise, knowledge and network to provide course participants with the training to upskill and boost their chances of securing the role of their choice. Through a long-standing University Alliance programme, SAP currently partners over 100 Institutes of Higher Learning in SEA to execute training programmes, in which an estimated 12,000 youths pick up SAP software development and management skills annually.
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