Small- and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) looking to expand their business overseas can tap on the new Internationalization Talent (iTalent) Solutions Map and Internationalization Skills (iSkills) Talent Development Program to build their capabilities and skills.

The iTalent Solutions Map was developed through a collaboration between SkillsFuture Singapore (SSG) and the International Trading Institute at Singapore Management University (ITI@SMU), with support from Enterprise Singapore (ESG). It identifies critical internationalization skills that enterprises need to develop in their workforce in order to operate effectively overseas. 

The program was launched by Mr Chee Hong Tat, Senior Minister of State, Ministry of Trade and Industry and Education today at SMU.  Building on the iTalent Solutions Map, ITI@SMU designed the iSkills Talent Development, with Ngee Ann Polytechnic (NP) as its knowledge partner, to equip individuals with the necessary skills for internationalization.

The six-month program adopts an applied learning model that combines classroom, online and experiential learning. Participants will undertake real-life internationalization projects with guidance from mentors assigned to them, experience overseas immersion modules, and participate in country clinics and sharing sessions with business and industry leaders.

The curriculum is designed to meet the skills needs of employees across various levels. For instance, senior management level participants will be equipped with skills such as leadership, critical thinking, decision-making, digitalization, and cultural competence, to enable them to perform the functions of an entrepreneur, a strategy visionary and a master relationship builder. On the other hand, junior and mid-level management participants will be equipped with skills such as project management, effective communication and cultural competence, which will help them perform the roles of a project manager and facilitator.

Ng Cher Pong, Chief Executive of SSG, said, “We are committed to helping companies, especially SMEs, build skilled talent who can seize opportunities in international markets.  Through the collaboration with ITI@SMU, we are making available useful insights and relevant training required to better prepare our companies and their workforce for overseas expansion. We will work with more partners to expand the iSkills Talent Development Program so that more companies can benefit from it.”

The programs come as SkillsFuture Singapore and the International Trading Institute at Singapore Management University aim to shape the next generation of local business leaders and talent for Singapore.