The Infocomm Media Development Authority (IMDA) and Sea Limited (Sea) have signed the memorandum of intent for a new program to hire and train 500 Singaporeans. The program, when implemented will be the largest ever TechSkills Accelerator (TeSA) Company-Led Training (CLT) programme by a Singapore-based company, and aims to signal how the Singapore economy can recover strongly from COVID-19, through companies applying digitalization to create job and training opportunities for Singaporeans. 

Minister for Communications and Information S Iswaran shared that this partnerhip is key, as, “In these challenging times, the Government’s priority is to create good jobs for Singaporeans. In particular, we want to ensure that we have a strong pipeline of local tech talent equipped with the skills to secure new opportunities in the Digital Economy." He urged more companies to come forward and join us in this concerted effort.”

The program aims to benefit 500 Singaporeans, comprising 400 entry-level and 100 mid-career (i.e. with more than three years of working experience) jobseekers. Trainees will undergo six months of on-the-job or instructor-led structured training at the Singapore-based global consumer internet company’s ecommerce arm, Shopee, in areas such as Product Management, Software Engineering and User Experience Design.

Forrest Li, Chairman and Group CEO, Sea, said, “As a global consumer internet company born and bred in Singapore, we are honoured to partner with IMDA on this important initiative. This programme not only creates 500 highly-skilled, technical roles at Sea and Shopee for Singaporeans at all stages of their careers, but also ensures that these talents can access training and development opportunities to build thriving longterm careers in the ICT sector."

All trainees will get a mentor/project advisor within the same department, who will support their journey and  to help them improve their knowledge and skills. Through the course of training provided by Shopee, trainees will acquire foundational and specialist skills, occupational knowledge as well as get hands-on experience in project work.

Trainees who complete the programme will be equipped for success in the e-commerce and tech industry, ready to take on roles such as Data/Business Analysts, Product Managers, Software Engineers and UI/UX Designers.

Trainees will receive a monthly salary while undergoing training, providing them the assurance of being employed in a paid job while attending training for in-demand tech skills and gaining job experience. Furthermore, all suitable trainees that complete the training will be employed by the business entities under Sea, which include Shopee Singapore and Garena Online.

Lim Teck Yong, Head of Regional Operations and People Team, Shopee, said, “As a homegrown tech company, we see tremendous growth opportunities in Singapore and the region. As we broaden and deepen our technology capabilities, we aspire to engage talent from diverse backgrounds, develop a strong pipeline of local tech talent and upskill our employees by equipping them with the relevant skills to succeed in today’s digital economy."