08/02/2021

Boston Consulting Group Partners SkillsFuture Singapore To Bring Its Digital Transformation Expertise To Maximise Employability For Over 1,000 Mid-career Job Seekers

Participants will gain 18 months equivalent project-based “biztech” training through a 6-month immersive training programme, and receive job placement assistance, career counselling and monthly training allowance

Together with SkillsFuture Singapore (SSG), global management consulting firm Boston Consulting Group (BCG) has launched a unique programme that aims to reskill more than 1,000 PMETs through DigitalBCG Academy. The Rapid & Immersive Skill Enhancement (RISE) programme is part of the SGUnited Mid-Career Pathways Programme – Company Training.

BCG brings in rich experiences working with governments and corporates globally for digital transformation and leadership enablement. Thus, the RISE programme goes beyond the theories and has a strong emphasis on application within the strategic business context and is modelled around BCG’s own application-oriented learning model. The six-month RISE programme will focus on three key digital job domains and equip trainees with in-demand ‘biztech’ skills, blending both the business critical and digital specific skills much sought after by employers. Trainees will select one of the following three tracks offered by BCG, namely (i) business and data analytics, (ii) digital sales and marketing, and (iii) digital transformation and change management. Upon completion of the programme, they will be able to successfully transition into job roles such as data analyst, digital marketing specialist, digital programme manager, e-commerce executive, Project Management Office analyst, amongst others. 

As part of the programme, trainees will also gain hands-on project experience with real firms. They will have opportunity to learn from and network with industry experts, and practitioners. Trainees will receive a monthly training allowance of $1,500 throughout the course of the programme. Upon completion of the programme, successful graduates will receive employment facilitation from BCG. The six-month RISE programme will cost $500 after subsidies from SSG and eligible trainees can offset the costs with their SkillsFuture Credit. 

SSG Chief Executive Mr Ong Tze-Ch'in said, “With BCG’s expertise in helping large enterprises and SMEs drive digital transformation both in Singapore and globally, the RISE programme, as part of the SGUnited Mid-Career Pathways Programme will help job seekers build relevant and in-demand business thinking and digital skills. SkillsFuture Singapore values such partnerships with global corporations like BCG, which have great expertise in driving digital transformation. These programmes will help job seekers acquire and deepen the competencies needed in a digital-driven world.” 

Mr Jeffrey Chua, Chairman of BCG Singapore said, “Our recent work with clients on digital transformation, as well as our own internal human capital transformation effort has given us a deep understanding of what is needed in the workforce of the future. It is not just about having technical skills, but a combination of being agile, analytical, critical and adept at navigating challenges and providing solutions in an increasingly digital world. Hence, we developed a holistic and systematic programme also covering critical soft skills and a growth mindset. The focused project-based learning approach will compress 18 months of real work experience into 6 months of a carefully crafted skilling programme for mid-career professionals. Trainees will graduate with a rich CV and project portfolio equipping them to be highly sought-after talent.” 

Over 20 industry partners to help maximise employability for trainees 

Over 20 prominent industry partners are collaborating with BCG to help maximise employability for the trainees whether in the form of, real life projects, internships or employment facilitation to business and digital roles. To date several corporations have confirmed their participation in this programme including UOB, National University Health System, Danone, Sentosa Development Corporation, Rio Tinto and JobStreet. More corporate partners are being signed up on a weekly basis to provide hands-on projects and employment facilitation

Mr Dean Tong, Head of Group HR at UOB said, “We are pleased to help add UOB’s years of experience of re-skilling mid-career professionals to the RISE programme. Our focus on growing our own timber will be translated to relevant hard and soft skills development and help trainees stand out as companies look to hire digital talent through RISE.”

The programme has received overwhelming interest, since sign-ups were open in December last year. Applicants include mid-career professionals with strong business and management experiences across different industries such as wholesale trade, finance and ICT, looking to advance their careers through high demand digital skills.

Ms Lye Yee, an applicant who has over 20 years of experience in supply chain, has wanted to add new skillsets such as agile and digital transformation to her existing project management experience to further advance her career. She said, “Other programmes are very IT-centric. This is more business-focused and useful for many job functions.” Ms Ee Jin Wong, who was Head of Business Development in the luxury retail industry, said that she left her previous job due to company restructuring and she wants to explore the synergies between retail and tech after RISE. She commented that, “One differentiating factor for RISE is that it is the first SkillsFuture programme with a renowned consulting firm. There is the added advantage of the network and resources that BCG already possesses.”

The RISE programme is open to Singaporean and Permanent Resident mid-career job seekers. Training places are available and interested participants can find out more on how to register for the RISE programme at https://rise.bcg.com/