Tech behemoth Google is strengthening its investments in Singapore, starting with the construction of its third data centre and developing an enhanced skills training programme. The company’s cloud business unit will also work with the Singapore government to co-create Artificial Intelligence (AI) solutions in a public-private partnership.

These initiatives were unveiled at the Google for Singapore event on 23rd August 2022, which marked its 15th anniversary of operating in the city-state. Google first launched its APAC headquarters in Singapore in 2007 with 24 employees at Collyer Quay and now houses 3,000 staff serving the region.

Google announced that its third data centre facility in Singapore, the construction of which it announced in 2018, has been completed and is in operation, bringing the company’s long-term investments in Singapore data centres to US$850 million.

Scott Beaumont, President of Google Asia-Pacific, said that the completion of the third data centre, along with Google’s other commitments, reflects “confidence in Singapore’s technology leadership for the region and the world”.

Deputy Prime Minister Lawrence Wong, who attended the event, said that Singapore is well-placed to capitalise on opportunities from Southeast Asia’s digital economy - even amid global economic and geopolitical challenges. 

Along with the development of infrastructure, the tech giant will enhance its skill training programme, known as Skills Ignition SG (SISG), which was launched in 2020. The programme has overseen 5,500 certifications. It will also extend 60 Singaporeans an enhanced traineeship programme with twelve months of full-time training in digital marketing or professional cloud architecture. The programme will involve more mentorship from Google employees and a higher stipend to match rising market rates.