Choose from 380 programmes that provide training in core and specific domain skills
Fresh graduates and professionals can now sign up for infomation and communications technology (ICT) training programmes via a new portal launched by the Infocomm Development Authority (IDA) and the Singapore Workforce Development Agency (WDA).
They can choose from a directory of 380 training courses and certifications, which are part of the TechSkills Accelerator (TeSA).
TeSA was announced by Finance Minister Heng Swee Keat in this year’s Budget.
It is one of the initiatives to mitigate the manpower shortage in the ICT sector to help in Singapore’s push to become a Smart Nation, in which technology is used to improve people’s lives.
TeSA programmes will cover two main areas:
- training in core ICT skills such as cyber security and software development which can be applied across all businesses, known as TeSA Core, and
- training in specific domain skills such as finance and healthcare for existing ICT professionals, known as TeSA Sector.
Minister for Communications and Information Yaacob Ibrahim gave these details in a speech yesterday at the Nanyang Polytechnic School of Information Technology graduation ceremony.
“We know that the demand for ICT skills is getting more specialised. For example, banks are not just looking for ICT professionals with strong foundations in data analytics, but also professionals who understand the financial industry, and who can apply their skills to complex financial transactions and analyses,” he said.
Adding that job placement will be a priority of TeSA, he said: “Our objective is not just to train more ICT professionals, but to help them get better jobs and advance in their careers.”
The courses on offer at the new portal (www.infocommtalent.sg) are based on the National Infocomm Competency Framework and include some covered by a funding scheme for Singaporeans called the Critical Infocomm Technology Resource Programme Plus.
Thirty-four organisations, including the National University of Singapore Institute of System Science, Singapore Management University and NTUC Learning Hub are providing training.
Singtel has also committed to train 130 professionals for cybersecurity job roles under a new Cyber Security Associates and Technologists programme.
The agency has set up a programme office. It will oversee the formation of a governing council and sector committees comprising employers. More details will be given in the next few weeks, IDA said.
joseow@sph.com.sg
This article was first published on May 7, 2016.
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