General staff want to take part ofHas the potential to quickly scale to more tech by leveraging end-to-end program managers.
Government agencies, Digital Industry Singapore (DISG), Infocomm Media Development Authority (IMDA) and SkillsFuture Singapore (SSG) have chosen Microsoft and Generation to upskill, place, and fill demand for tech-enabled jobs for up to 1,000 Singaporeans as part of the SGUnited Jobs and Skills Package.
Titled #GetReadySG, the national skills initiative will become the bridge between leading tech company Microsoft – who will guide industry relevant training – and Microsoft’s rich ecosystem of customer and partner companies who need to hire skilled tech manpower.
The partnership model has the potential to quickly scale to more tech ecosystems by leveraging end-to-end programme managers like Generation to take on an integrated central role of vocational training and job placement services for them. This will make it easier for other leading companies to participate in similar efforts, ultimately providing opportunities to more jobseekers and offering them greater diversity of hiring company choices across different networks.
Equipping job seekers with relevant skills for the future of work
Targeted at fresh graduates and mid-career Singaporeans, #GetReadySG – which will run over a two year period – aims to equip participants with in-demand tech skills such as Java and Python programming language – all of which are top trending skills identified in LinkedIn’s Economic Graph.
#GetReadySG currently has two programmes, which include:
- TechSkills Accelerator’s (TeSA) Company-Led Training, hire and train programme, in partnership with IMDA
Up to 300 Singaporeans who enrol and get selected by Generation and participating employers will:
- Be offered a salaried employment position to undergo a 9-month training programme
- Be trained in in-demand job roles such as Full Stack Developer, Data Engineer/Analyst, Cloud Support and DevOps Practitioner
- Gain industry recognised Microsoft certifications over the course of the training
- Gain opportunities to work with a selection of Microsoft customer and partner companies on live projects, apply the skills learned and pick up new specific tech skills
- Get experienced mentorship guidance in relevant fields to help adjust to the work and plan for post-job searching
- Registration for #GetReadySG’s TeSA Company-Led Training programme is expected to open in January 2021.
SGUnited Mid-Career Pathways Programme – Company Training
Microsoft, together with Generation, SSG and Temasek Polytechnic (TP), will roll-out three new courses under the SGUnited Mid-Career Pathways Programme – Company Training, which will train participants in job roles of Junior Full-Stack Developer, Cloud Support and DevOps, as well as Business Intelligence and Data Analyst.
Participants will undergo a 9-month full-time programme that comprises a blended learning bootcamp, and an opportunity to work in a structured apprenticeship with a Microsoft partner or customer. This will be facilitated by Microsoft and Generation and supported by Temasek Polytechnic – the first Institute of Higher Learning to come onboard this initiative.
These courses will equip mid-career jobseekers with in-demand tech skills to allow them to pivot to new career opportunities in tech-related roles in growth sectors. The course structures are aligned to pre-defined core learning objectives for specific job roles within companies in Microsoft’s customer and partner network. Trainees will also be given access to Microsoft’s tools and platforms – including content from Microsoft Learn modules and LinkedIn Learning.
At the end of the programme, Microsoft and Generation will assist participants to access job placement opportunities with Microsoft’s customer and partner companies.
Eligible trainees will receive a monthly training allowance of $1,500. Registration will begin in mid-December 2020, and participants can use their SkillsFuture Credit to defray the nett fee payable for the courses.
Besides the SGUnited Mid-Career Pathways Programme, more training programmes with placement opportunities will also be introduced progressively over the next two years. In total, up to 700 mid-career professionals are expected to benefit from these training programmes.
At least 20 of Microsoft’s hiring partners will be onboarded onto #GetReadySG by September 2021. To date, companies within Microsoft’s customer and partner network such as IT solution providers (AsiaPac, Avepoint, NTT Data, NTT Singapore and Taiger Global) as well as companies in service and end-user sectors (Certis, ComfortDelGro and Standard Chartered Bank) have confirmed their participation. These employers will offer training and job placement opportunities for participants.
In addition, LinkedIn, Generation and Microsoft will also work with employers to offer mentorship in the form of emotional support and career coaching as part of #GetReadySG, to help job seekers assimilate into the workplace and navigate challenges. For example, the LinkedIn Coaches programme aims to equip jobseekers facing barriers with soft skills such as interview, networking and communication skills to help participants integrate into their roles through career guidance and mentorship.
Helping employers enhance capabilities and build pipelines
Apart from skills training for individuals, Microsoft will also be partnering SSG as part of the SkillsFuture Queen Bee programme. For this partnership, Microsoft will enhance workplace learning practices among its ecosystem of partners and customers, and help them equip their workforce with critical, industry-relevant skills.
With SSG’s support, Microsoft will hire a Skills Manager to engage its network of SME partners to identify common skills gaps and develop customised learning solutions and interventions. The partnership is expected to last over a period of 12 months and benefit at least 30 SMEs.
