SAP has entered into an agreement with five Singapore polytechnics to launch SAP Skills University Singapore to develop and deliver industry-relevant skills in advanced technology and industry relevant solutions.
“This is a first-of-its-kind tri-sector education programme in the world for SAP, structured to equip fresh polytechnic graduates and mid-career professionals with critical skills needed in today’s digital economy,” said Khor Chern Chuen, managing director of SAP Singapore.
The five polytechnics - Nanyang Polytechnic, Ngee Ann Polytechnic, Republic Polytechnic, Singapore Polytechnic and Temasek Polytechnic - signed the agreement with SAP as well as SkillsFuture Singapore (SSG), a government initiative to promote lifelong learning among Singaporeans, and equip them with future-ready skills.
“Equipping the workforce with the right skillsets is critical for any organisation or economy to be future-ready and keep up with today’s rapidly evolving world of digital disruption,” said Khor.
“With the SAP Skills University Singapore, we aim to facilitate education in the fields of advanced technology and complement the foundation that’s being taught in academic institutions with hands-on learning through SAP products and working experiences.
“This is a crucial measure in closing the gap between the demand and supply for qualified Information and Communications Technology professionals."
The programme is expected to benefit over 1,000 people within the next three years, equipping participants with future-ready skills in hi-tech sectors such as artificial intelligence (AI), data analytics, and the internet of things (IoT).
This initiative is timely, with Singapore’s ministry of communication and information predicting industry demand for over 42,000 works specialising in data science, AI and robotic engineering by 2020.
The curriculum will be designed in close cooperation with the industry and will tailor its programme to specific industry in-demand skills.
SAP stressed that the programme will not just provide the skills and manpower needed by SAP but for the broader industry including SAP’s customers and partners.
The collaboration will also offer career advisory and placements services ICT related jobs, with funding support by SSG.
“As technological disruptions are occurring at an unprecedented pace, SSG actively seeks out collaborations with industry partners to enable Singaporeans to keep pace with the evolving skills needs in areas such as data science, robotics and AI, in order to support industry transformation,” said Ng Cher Pong, CEO of SkillsFuture Singapore.
“SSG is therefore glad to work with SAP and the polytechnics to set up the SAP Skills University Singapore."
Furthermore, mid-career professionals will benefit from two new work-learn programmes, combining placement and training, as part of this collaboration.
These professional coversion programmes for the mid-career professional will help gain new skills and transit into the ICT sector.
here will also be a programme that caters to fresh polytechnic graduates and facilitates employment opportunities with companies in the ICT industry.
SAP has developed an ecosystem of training programmes across the region, partnering with over 100 institutes of higher learning in Southeast Asia to deliver skills training to some 12,000 students across the region.
