21/10/2016

Tripartite Partners Collaborate To Offer Integrated Career Services In The Infocomm Technology Sector

About 1,200 PMETs to benefit, including the SkillsFuture Career Advisors Programme, a first for the sector under the ADAPT & GROW initiative

A new industry initiative was announced today by the tripartite partners to bring the Infocomm Technology (ICT) profession to the next stage of skills development and career readiness, essential to building a ready and adaptable workforce for the future economy. New programmes were introduced to provide integrated support to job seekers and ICT professionals tapping on the industry network of trade associations and chambers, professional bodies and unions to help drive mindset change and raise adaptability, match skills with jobs, and build capabilities to meet current and emerging needs.

The newly-announced programmes – TechSkills Accelerator (TeSA) Integrated Career Services and SkillsFuture Career Advisors Programme – is a joint effort by the National Trades Union Congress (NTUC), NTUC’s e2i (Employment and Employability Institute), Singapore Computer Society (SCS), Info-communications Media Development Authority (IMDA), SkillsFuture Singapore and Workforce Singapore to help professionals interested to pursue a meaningful career in the ICT sector. The programmes bring together support from the Government, the Labour Movement and professional bodies to provide in-depth, sector-focused career advisory and support to PMETs who are keen to join the ICT sector, and target to benefit at least 1,200 PMETs. Minister for Manpower Mr Lim Swee Say was the Guest of Honour at the TechSkills Accelerator Career Services Day which showcased tripartite partners’ collaborative efforts, supported by key partners and employers committed to developing a strong Singaporean core and relevant skills for the rapidly-changing and vibrant ICT sector. As of 2015, there are approximately 170,000 ICT professionals employed across the economy, with about 20,000 vacancies at the same time. Please refer to Annex A for details of TeSA Integrated Career Services.

To enhance career support for individuals, Workforce Singapore has launched the SkillsFuture Career Advisors Programme. It is a new programme under the Adapt and Grow employment support initiative to tap into the domain expertise, extensive experience and deep knowledge of industry leaders and professionals to offer career advice to professionals interested to build a career in the ICT sector. This builds on the career services provided by e2i and Workforce Singapore. ICT is the first sector to roll out this programme, with more sectors to follow. Please refer to Annex B for details of the SkillsFuture Career Advisors Programme.

The SCS Career Compass, under the SkillsFuture Career Advisors Programme, will bring together an extensive network of over 100 ICT leaders, professionals and experts. They have come forward as volunteers to mentor individuals and job seekers who are interested to enter or progress their career in the ICT sector. SCS will build a close-knit community, and provide a platform for experienced and successful ICT professionals to mentor new entrants, mid-career switchers or existing professionals at career crossroads. Please refer to Annex C for details of SCS Career Compass.

At the TechSkills Accelerator Career Services Day event today, visitors had the opportunity to receive career advice at the Career Discovery Area, experience a virtual career fair, gain some tips about visume, as well as participate in a series of Career Mentoring and Networking sessions.

It is one key event in a continuum of activities to help enhance the employment opportunities and employability of PMETs, ranging from monthly Adapt and Grow career fairs, virtual fairs, visume workshops, sector-focused career events to tripartite symposiums and motivational seminars.

Director of Progressive Wage Model, NTUC, Mr Desmond Choo said, "The Labour Movement is glad to work with the Government and our U Associate partner SCS, to provide career support to ICT professionals and facilitate employment in the ICT sector. The digital economy offers many opportunities for both ICT and non-ICT Singaporeans. It is a key pillar in the next chapter of our economic growth and tripartite partners need to work together to provide whole-of-career support to our working people: to train, to network and eventually to get ICT jobs."

Chief Executive Officer, e2i, Mr Gilbert Tan said, "e2i facilitates nation-wide manpower and skills upgrading initiatives and has been working with industry partners to roll out programmes for ICT professionals. To help professionals stay updated and deepen their competencies, there are training, networking and masterclasses. We initiated virtual and blended career fairs to improve job matching. The partnership with SCS will link Singaporeans who are keen to join or work in ICT with Industry Mentors to provide practitioners’ advice on employment, skills upgrading and career progression."

President, SCS, Mr Howie Lau said, "With the introduction of the SCS Career Compass, SCS is the first industry association to appoint over 100 ICT industry mentors under the SkillsFuture Career Advisors Programme. In support of TeSA Integrated Career Services, SCS will continue to work closely with partners, Workforce Singapore, IMDA, NTUC and e2i, to build a collaborative community to support members and ICT professionals to discover their true north in their career pathway, to stay relevant and resilient in the turbulent today and unknown tomorrow."

ACE, IMDA, Mr Khoong Hock Yun said, "The TechSkills Accelerator (TeSA) was first announced during this year’s Budget speech and a $120M manpower plan was subsequently launched by Minister for Communications and Information, Dr Yaacob Ibrahim, at the Committee of Supply Debate. The collaborative announcement of TeSA Integrated Career Services today brings us closer to enhancing employment outcomes for those keen to be ICT professionals. Talent development is critical to supporting our vision to be well-placed for a digital future."

Chief Executive, Workforce Singapore, Mr Tan Choon Shian said, "This tripartite partnership in the ICT sector to offer coordinated career services is a commendable example of industry coming forward to take the lead to build talent pipeline for the sector, with the Government responding to integrate industry-led mentoring services into existing networks to enhance career support for individuals. This pioneering effort sets the stage for other sectors, and we hope to see more industry associations and leaders come forward with similar ground-breaking initiatives".