Google, in partnership with Singapore government agencies Economic Development Board, Infocomm Media Development Authority and SkillsFuture Singapore, has launched Skills Ignition SG, a programme that will help 3,000 Singaporeans and permanent residents get the skills needed for changing technology and a shifting job market.
Skills Ignition SG has two elements. One is a six-month vocational course for mid-career job seekers, designed to teach them skills in digital marketing and cloud technology and give them the chance to earn professional certificates recognised around the world.
The second element is a ‘place and train’ programme, where participants will do three months of online training before moving on to six months of work experience with employers.
To kick off the placement program, Google will offer 100 Singaporeans work experience with the technology giant across a range of different roles.
The remaining 500 placements will be offered in batches by its agency partners, including Dentsu Aegis Network, Publicis and Omnicom Media Group, and the company has also secured commitments from travel companies RedDoorz and Trip.com, in addition to beauty retailer Sephora, financial technology company FNZ, and local furniture retailer Castlery.
Google says it will invite more companies to join the program and create job placements in their own workforce.