IBM (NYSE: IBM) on 23rd August 2024, announced new collaborations to offer free training in AI and other technology topics for the young and adult learners in Singapore. Through the new agreements signed with Singapore Polytechnic (SP), Republic Polytechnic (RP), and non-profit organisation Junior Achievement, IBM aims to equip 4,500 locals via the IBM SkillsBuild program. With this initiative, IBM brings free AI and tech training to Singaporean youth, adults, this would seek to close the global skills gap, help learners develop valuable new skills and access career opportunities.
Ng Hau Yee, Executive Director & Board, Junior Achievement Singapore; Justina Nixon-Saintil, Vice President for Corporate Social Responsibility and Chief Impact Of?cer, IBM; Ms Rahayu Mahzam, Minister of State, Ministry of Digital Development and Information; Loh Yew Chiong, Deputy Principal, Singapore Polytechnic; and Fong Yew Chan, Chief Technology Officer, Republic Polytechnic
Photo Courtesy of IBM
IBM SkillsBuild Collaborations in Singapore
IBM new collaborations to offer free training in AI and other technology topics for the young and adult learners in Singapore are delivered under IBM SkillsBuild. Learners will have access to more than 1,000 courses for in-demand jobs across multiple industries, such as AI, data analytics, sustainability, cybersecurity and more, as well as mentorship from IBM leaders.
Learners can attain digital credentials that can help them open up new pathways to employment, they would also gain knowledge through coursework like AI fundamentals, GenAI, AI ethics, prompt writing, and machine learning.
According to a study commissioned by IBM, skills availability remains the top barrier to AI adoption at scale. Despite the increased prevalence in AI-related skills, IT professionals in Singapore are most likely to express that limited AI skills and expertise (37%) are hindering successful AI adoption.
Singapore Polytechnic
Singapore Polytechnic will incorporate the IBM SkillsBuild program in various modules in its Diploma in Information Technology (DIT) and Diploma in Cybersecurity & Digital Forensics (DCDF) courses. Students would be encouraged to pursue professional certifications in emerging areas, like Web Development and Cybersecurity while gaining exposure to areas like Project Management and Fundamentals of Sustainability and Technology.
Singapore Polytechnic will incorporate the IBM SkillsBuild program in various modules in its Diploma in Applied AI & Analytics (DAAA), Diploma in Information Technology (DIT) and Diploma in Cybersecurity & Digital Forensics (DCDF) courses. Students would be encouraged to pursue professional certifications in emerging areas, like Web Development and Cybersecurity. Students will also gain exposure to areas like Project Management and Fundamentals of Sustainability and Technology.
“Through our partnership with IBM, Singapore Polytechnic’s School of Computing is enhancing our curriculum with IBM’s SkillsBuild resources. This collaboration empowers our students with essential tools and knowledge to shape their future careers. Together, we prepare our students for smooth transitions into successful industry roles,” said Liew Chin Chuan, Director, School of Computing, Singapore Polytechnic.
IBM
“Our announcement today is a testament to our commitment to Singapore and the local workforce. We look forward to continuing to build an environment in which people will have the AI skills needed for the future workforce,” commented Yue Yean Feng, Corporate Social Responsibility Leader, IBM Asia Pacific.
“In 2022, IBM pledged to train 1 million women and girls in the Asia-Pacific region, including Singapore, over the next five years, and as of April 30, 2024, we have reached nearly 650,000 women and girls. This builds on IBM’s global commitment to skill 30 million people by 2030, and we have already reached more than 11.5 million learners globally,” said Justina Nixon-Saintil, Vice President and Chief Impact Officer at IBM.
Republic Polytechnic
Republic Polytechnic will adopt IBM SkillsBuild to enhance its learning materials and curriculum in technology-related areas and essential skills. Students will focus on topics including AI, Cybersecurity, Sustainability Fundamentals, Data Science, and Enterprise Design Thinking.
“RP is excited to embark on this initiative with IBM to nurture and develop tech capabilities and professional skills in key areas such as AI, Data Science and Enterprise Design Thinking. Through IBM SkillsBuild, students can access a wide array of e-learning materials and acquire industry-recognised credentials, giving them a competitive advantage while enhancing their employability,” commented Fong Yew Chan, Chief Technology Officer, Republic Polytechnic.
Junior Achievement
Junior Achievement aims to inspire, prepare and empower youths in Singapore through exposure to tech curriculum such as AI and cybersecurity and support underrepresented populations, such as single moms and domestic workers in Singapore. The learners will be equipped through workshops, hand-on activities, and career mentorship with IBM experts.
Ng Hau Yee, Founder & Executive Director, Junior Achievement Singapore, commented, “Junior Achievement Singapore is excited to be partnering with IBM for the SkillsBuild initiative. It is very timely as our goal for this year is to develop & offer AI and cybersecurity courses. We look forward to inspiring our youths and women community and helping them build their tech foundations for their future aspirations.”
What is IBM SkillsBuild all about?
IBM SkillsBuild is a free education program aimed at increasing access to technology education. Through IBM SkillsBuild program, IBM supports young learners from high school and university, to the adult learners, to develop valuable new skills and access career opportunities.
IBM SkillsBuild is an online platform offering over 1,000 courses in 20 languages on AI, sustainability, cybersecurity, data analysis, cloud computing and many other technical disciplines. There are also other areas such as workplace skills such as design thinking. Participants that attended IBM SkillsBuild can earn IBM-branded digital credentials that are recognised by the market.
There is also the IBM SkillsBuild enhanced version, that may also include workshops, expert conversations with IBM coaches and mentors, project based learning, access to IBM software, specialised support from partners through the learning process, and connection to career opportunities.
Future of AI | Digital Transformation | Learning AI
From the IBM announcement and panel discussion – Future Workforce in the AI Era, hearing about the different sharing and views on future of AI, the roles and impacts of AI technology on work and daily life. AI technology is here to stay, becoming a part of our work and daily life.
Many of us are still learning about AI, from the working adults, to the younger generation of students such as those in tertiary institutions. The IBM SkillsBuild that is delivering the new collaborations to offer free training in AI and other technology topics for the young and adult learners in Singapore, is going to play a key role in the wider and bigger part of Singapore’s journey towards learning, embracing and adopting AI technology.
As a technology writer myself covering about AI technology, also as a commercial photographer, visual storyteller/content creator that is also impacted by AI technology, I am still learning and writing on the subject of AI technology, I still have a lot more to learn and understand about AI technology, how it can impact my business, technology writing and my daily life (both the good and bad).
IBM SkillsBuild is definitely a platform to embark on, for working adults like myself, to continuously learn and upgrade myself. Lifelong learning (together with digital transformation) is crucial on both personal and business levels, whether we are are young, working adults, and even for seniors too, especially in our digitally connected world.
* Information courtesy of IBM *