Google adds 600 places to Singapore digital skills bootcamp

Google is adding an additional 600 places to its training programme in Singapore, which aims to teach in-demand skills to citizens as the country tries to foster local tech talent.

Google Singapore’s country director Ben King said at an event its Skills Ignition SG programme, which is supported by the government, would expand the total number of participants from 3,000 to 3,600, as reported by The Business Times.

The programme, which began in July last year, aims to teach digital skills like cloud technology and digital marketing to Singaporean citizens through vocational and on-the-job training.

King outlined that a new “Data Engineering with Machine Learning Fundamentals” track would be added, which would help meet the rising demand for data-analytics trained staff. He underlined that he was "looking forward to making sure more Singaporeans can use technology to reach their potential".

Moreover, Josephine Teo, Singapore’s minister for Communication and Information, said she was appreciative of the fact that Google was one of the first companies to partner with the government in training its people.

"Industry partners like Google play an important role in the growth of Singapore's digital ecosystem, as enablers for our industries and enterprises," said Teo. She also added that the country will always focus on investing in its people, who are the country's most important resource.

In May, the head of the country’s central bank warned that Singapore must continue to depend on foreign workers to fill roles in its tech sector over the next few years. Ravi Menon, managing director of the bank, said that of the estimated 25,000 tech workers in Singapore’s financial sector, domestic workers make up just over a third of the workforce as many of the required tech skills are in short supply locally.

Furthermore, in early July Singapore pledged to add 20,000 digital roles to its infocomm media sector following committed investments from its Economic Development Board. Minister Teo said the sector would be vital to “building up Singapore’s digital innovation capabilities” and it would be a “growth multiplier for the broader economy”.