NTUC’s e2i Partners Tech Talent Assembly, Amazon Web Services to Build Singapore’s Digital Workforce

NTUC’s e2i (Employment and Employability Institute), the Tech Talent Assembly (TTAB) and Amazon Web Services (AWS) organised an info-comm and tech (ICT) career and skills fair on 11 November 2022 at the NTUC Centre.

The event aims to share the latest technologies, such as artificial intelligence, machine learning, and cloud technology.

The career fair also encourages employers to look beyond academic qualifications, consider potential workers with relevant digital skillsets and certifications, and drive change in hiring for the future ICT workforce.

NTUC said the event comes as Singapore undergoes a rapid digital transformation, which key challenge would be to address the local digital skills shortage.

NTUC Secretary-General Ng Chee Meng attended the event with more than 50 chief information officers, tech employers, HR representatives and career advisors.

Mr Ng said that despite the recent job cuts reported by tech giants Twitter and Facebook’s Meta, Singapore will continue to require tech talents and skills to match the country’s economic endeavours.

He cited a recent report by real estate services Cushman & Wakefield, which ranked Singapore as the world’s 12^th top tech city.

He added that leveraging Industry 4.0 is the way forward for Singapore’s economic development.

Skills for the Future

According to the Jobs Transformation Map for the information and communications workforce, emerging tech trends such as 5G, cloud computing and artificial intelligence are expected to influence high demand for workers skilled in these areas in the next three to five years.

And according to research commissioned by AWS earlier this year, 65 per cent of workers in Singapore feel they will require training in cloud-related skills over the next three years to progress in their careers.

The same research suggests that by 2025, the ability to use cloud-based tools will be the second most in-demand skill required by employers after cybersecurity.

Advanced cloud computing skills, such as migrating on-premises facilities to the cloud and cloud design architecture, are also expected to be among the top 10 in-demand digital skills in Singapore.

AWS has collaborated with Lithan Academy, TTAB and e2i on its re/Start programme, which provides individuals with cloud skills training and connects them to potential employers.

The 12-week, classroom-based programme is designed for unemployed and underemployed Singaporeans.

Learners undergo scenario-based training, hands-on labs, and coursework to gain the skills required for entry-level cloud roles.

Participants also get resume and interview coaching to help them prepare for interviews with potential employers. Globally, the programme connects more than 98 per cent of graduates with job interview opportunities.

AWS Country Manager, Worldwide Public Sector, Singapore Elsie Tan said: “Joining with TTAB and e2i to put digital skills on the agenda is part of our commitment to working with Government and industry to reskill and upskill Singaporeans through our training programmes like AWS re/Start.”

Singapore AWS re/Start graduate Zalizam Mat Hashim said taking on the programme marked a milestone in his career.

He said: “Being a non-IT worker at the time, the AWS re/Start programme with Lithan was attractive to me due to all the information and support I received.

“Soon after applying, I had interviews with potential employers and secured a position at CloudKinetics as a Cloud Engineer. The journey has been amazing. The course is well-structured for IT beginners like myself, and the instructors are very knowledgeable and supportive too.”

Career Fair

The hybrid event consists of a physical and virtual career fair, with close to 30 employers offering almost 400 job roles such as data centre operations technician, UI/UX designer and senior cloud architect.

Participants also engaged in various activities such as technical resume writing conducted by e2i and talks on industry trends and career pathways conducted by NTUC LearningHub.

The career fair will continue virtually until 25 November 2022. You can find more information here.