Singapore introduces a plan to help media professionals be digital-ready

Sim Ann, Senior Minister of State, Ministry of Communications and Information, and Ministry of Culture, Community and Youth launched the Media Industry Digital Plan (IDP), introduced to help small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) and professionals in the media industry become digital-ready. 

Keeping in mind the fast pace at which the media is evolving, Singapore identified the need for professionals to stay up to date and relevant and be able to make most of the upcoming trends and opportunities. Therefore, introducing a digital plan like this became necessary. 

"We recognize the need for stronger and agile companies and higher skilled professionals to seize opportunities in Asia and beyond. Not only must we build creative skills, which remain important in the media sector, but also digital skills, so our media SMEs and professionals can thrive in an increasingly digital environment," said Sim Ann.

The Industry Digital Plan is like a digital roadmap for media industry SMEs and professionals and includes a list of solutions to guide them in adoption of technology at each stage of their growth, from helping an SME to streamline its operations for freelancer contracts and billing management to move on to more advanced levels of creating artificial intelligence-enabled content.

While Media professionals can check against a list of training courses to acquire new digital skills, SMEs can also approach consultants via SME Centres, free of charge, for advice on the type of digital solutions that are relevant to their operations.

Further, the SMEs that require certain tools to grow digitally, such as those for media production, can also pick from a list of pre-approved solutions on the Tech Depot web platform and can apply for existing grant support for eligible projects.

Recognizing media industry as one of the critical sectors for the economy, Singapore places huge importance on it. As the media industry contributes about S$2.4 Bn value added to Singapore's economy, investing in building more and more capabilities in the sector is a sound economic decision taken by the government.

Not only for media professionals but for people across industries and levels, Singapore has repeatedly shown its intent and inclination towards building digital capabilities in the country with many of its programs. Be it programs like SkillsFuture for Digital Workplace or now the Media IDP, the nation is focusing on becoming digital-ready.  

Media IDP is said to be the seventh plan introduced to help SMEs get digital-ready, following the various plans previously launched for other sectors such as food services, retail and security. 

By making an investment on plans like these Singapore strives to lead the innovations that disrupt the world of work and build a future based on skills that support its transformation into an advanced economy.