Google collaborates with Singapore government to offer skills training

According to a new initiative launched by Googl in collaboration with government agencies Economic Development Board, Infocomm Media Development Authority and SkillsFuture Singapore, about 3,000 local job seekers will be benefited. 

The initiative is called Skills Ignition SG and covers two programs targeted at entry-level and mid-career workers. It will prepare participants for jobs related to digital marketing and cloud technology.

One of the programs will focus on providing on-the-job training opportunities 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 be offering 100 such place-and-train positions, while other participants will be working at companies such as beauty retailer Sephora, travel agency Trip.com and Fintech firm FNZ.

The fees for the training will be entirely paid for and participants will receive a monthly salary while undergoing the program.

Though there is no guarantee of employment after the end of the nine-month program from the companies where participants undergo training and work experience, trainees will receive certifications that are expected to boost their future employability.

Meanwhile, up to 2,400 mid-career professionals will be able to tap full-time training courses in digital marketing and cloud technology, which will focus on skills upgrading.

The six-month courses will provide industry-relevant skills to boost employability in the info-communications technology sector. Each participant will receive a monthly training allowance of $1,500.

These courses will be the first to be rolled out under SSG's SGUnited Mid-Career Pathways - Enterprise-based Training Program, in support of the SGUnited Jobs and Skills Package.

Participants can use their SkillsFuture credits to pay the $500 program fees, with the remaining fees subsidized by SSG.