The Future is Tech-Ready: Generation Singapore, Microsoft and Temasek Polytechnic Relaunch #GetReadySG with AI and Cyber Enhancements
SINGAPORE, 24 June 2024 – Generation Singapore, in collaboration with Microsoft and Temasek Polytechnic, are levelling up their national skilling initiative with AI and Cybersecurity enhancements, while reaching out to niche jobseeker segments like mid-career transitioners, disadvantaged youth, women, and retrenched workers to help them break into the tech sector.
This marks the next phase of Generation Singapore, Microsoft and Temasek Polytechnic’s #GetReadySG collaboration, which offers job seekers highly subsidised 3-month digital training “bootcamps”, guaranteed job interviews after graduation and job placement support.
Now in its third year, the programme has trained close to 600 jobseekers and helped 86% of them start their tech careers with employers from Generation and Microsoft’s ecosystem of partners. Part of the SkillsFuture Career Transition Programme, #GetReadySG 2.0 aims to upskill and boost the employability of even more Singaporeans in growth roles in the digital economy, regardless of their backgrounds.
TECH AS A REAL LEVELLER
Since its launch in 2020, #GetReadySG ran 24 cohorts of train-and-place programmes in in-demand tech sectors, including Junior Data Engineering, Full Stack Developer, and Cloud Support & DevOps.
The programme attracts a wide base of applicants who traditionally face barriers to entry to the tech industry due to their gender, age, educational qualification, or industry background. With no entry prerequisites, a diverse pool of tech talents successfully graduated from the programme. We witnessed strong participation of women (38%), non-degree holders (36% with diploma qualification and below) and mid-careerists (38% are above 40 years old).
Sameera Hassan, a 45-year-old mother of three, had taken a five-year hiatus from the banking industry to focus on caregiving duties. She wanted to re-enter the workforce and was interested in the data field. After completing the #GetReadySG programme for business intelligence and data analysis, she was able to secure a job as a data engineer at professional services company Cognizant Technology Solutions.
“Most of the things that we learned in the bootcamp turned out to be what we’re now using in the real world. I also appreciated the other confidence boosters such as the mentorships, the career coaching, and the resume reviews which prepared me for interview rounds. We were 100% supported by Generation Singapore — which made job searches less stressful because we were assured that we would be placed somewhere. This made it easy to break into the tech industry,” Sameera shared.
RIDING THE EDGE WITH AI AND CYBER
In response to various feedback from graduates and employers, jobseekers enrolling in the #GetReadySG 2.0 programme from the latter half of 2024 can expect AI content to be integrated over time into all the tech courses. This will equip them not only to utilize AI on a day-to-day basis, but also to embed AI as part of their technical skillset as aspiring tech practitioners. AI components will also be used throughout the training delivery, such as to facilitate CV review, interview practice and job coaching, to supplement Generation’s dedicated job placement support.
At the same time, learners may consider pursuing Cybersecurity as an add-on specialisation option for relevant tech courses, which will be introduced progressively to all GetReadySG tech cohorts.
“We are excited to bring AI and Cybersecurity to elevate #GetReadySG 2.0 offerings to jobseekers and employer partners. Microsoft, Generation and Temasek Polytechnic are already part of various national initiatives pushing for AI adoption in Singapore, so it is only a matter of time before we offer this as part of our skilling partnership. Foundational AI and Cybersecurity will become integral skills for tech professionals. We look forward to having our learners experience these in our classrooms and bring these in-demand skills to their future employers,” said Gloria Arlini, COO (Country Lead) of Generation Singapore.
FROM COLLABORATION TO ECOSYSTEM CREATION
Generation, Microsoft and Temasek Polytechnic will be collaborating even more closely to create a virtuous cycle in the education-to-employment ecosystem, to bridge the needs of aspiring tech job seekers and employers requiring tech talents.
Combining their curriculum expertise and industry leadership, they work together to identify growth roles in tech and continuously validate the #GetReadySG 2.0 curriculum to ensure they remain demand-driven. Prospective participants are screened for their motivation before securing a spot in the programme, then go through 3-months bootcamp to be equipped with a solid foundation in technical and job-readiness skills.
Upon completion, #GetReadySG 2.0 graduates will secure interview opportunities with Generation’s employer partners, including those from Microsoft’s ecosystem, to be considered for apprenticeship, work-trial projects, or full-time employment. This seamless transition closes the tech demand-supply gap, easing skills-based hiring for local tech talents and helping companies advance their digital capability building through skilling.
“Microsoft is thrilled to collaborate with Generation Singapore and Temasek Polytechnic to make the innovative national skilling initiative #GetReadySG even more valuable to jobseekers with new training pathways in AI and cybersecurity. Together we are committed to bridging the gap between tech talent and employer needs in these areas of growing demand. We’re excited to see this important programme continue to empower people from diverse backgrounds to pursue fulfilling careers in tech in Singapore,” said Ms. Lee Hui Li, Managing Director, Microsoft Singapore.
“This enhancement is a key step forward in closing the AI and Cybersecurity skills gap. TP is proud to play a part in this collaboration through the sharing of key expertise to sharpen the execution of this strategic endeavor. Our collaboration with Generation and Microsoft will continue to fulfill the rising demand for tech talent, while supporting Singaporeans in recharging their careers through innovative upskilling journeys, which are aligned with our national SkillsFuture initiatives and objectives,” shared Dr Kwan Kian Hoong, Director, Temasek SkillsFuture Academy, Temasek Polytechnic.
If you are keen to pursue a tech career through #GetReadySG, this is the final week of application for the upcoming July cohort. Register your interest at https://singapore.generation.org/programs/train-and-place/ or email getreadysg@generation.org for more information