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Google, S'pore government agencies in job and training initiative for 3,000 locals
SINGAPORE — Google and three Singapore government agencies will partner to launch a new jobs and skills initiative for 3,000 local entry-level and mid-career job seekers in the city.
The initiative – called “Skills Ignition SG – A Grow With Google Program” – comes in support of the SGUnited Jobs and Skills Package, according to a joint statement by Google, the Economic Development Board (EDB), Infocomm Media Development Authority (IMDA) and SkillsFuture Singapore (SSG) on Monday (20 July).
Skills Ignition SG offers two programmes: one focusing on providing on-the-job training opportunities and the other on skills upgrading in the areas of digital marketing and cloud technology.
The first is a nine-month place and train programme for up to 600 applicants. Participants will do three months of online vocational training before moving on to six months of hands-on work experience with employers.
Google will make available 100 positions in Singapore starting October, with the remaining 500 positions offered by its key partners, including Dentsu Aegis Network, Omnicom Media Group, Publicis, Sephora and Trip.com.
The second programme comprises two six-month full-time training course in digital marketing and cloud technology for 2,400 mid-career professionals. Each enrolled participant will receive a monthly training allowance of S$1,500. The net fee for each training programme is S$500, which participants can use their SkillsFuture credit for. The rest of the fees will be subsidised by SSG.
Google has developed an online curriculum with authorised training providers AVADO and Agilitics to provide a mix of online live instructor-led training, self-paced online study and online group and individual project work. Participants who complete either course will receive professional certificates recognised globally.
“COVID-19 has posed an unprecedented challenge for Singapore, affecting our lives and livelihoods. In this uncertain environment, the government’s over-riding economic priority is to create jobs and opportunities for our people, and I am encouraged that companies, such as Google, are also stepping up to join us in this critical national effort,” Communications and Information Minister S. Iswaran said.
Scott Beaumont, Google Asia-Pacific president said that while the pandemic has impacted jobs and career opportunities, it has also accelerated digitalisation by businesses and increased demand for digital skills. "We hope this programme will help bridge that gap," he said.
As an additional show of support for the local community, Google has returned its Job Support Scheme wage subsidies, and pledged to decline future payouts from the government.
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