Singtel has invested $45 million over the years to deepen the digital skills of 12,600 Singapore employees, with hopes of helping them thrive in a digital economy.
The announcement was made on 12 September 2019 at the opening of Singtel’s new facility at Singtel@8George.
The money will be invested in Singtel’s initiative called ACT, which is short for Accelerate, Co-Create and Transform.
According to Singtel’s Group Chief Human Resources Officer Aileen Tan, the initiative is designed to help employees deepen their digital capabilities as well as accelerate the company’s digital transformation efforts.
The Union of Telecoms Employees of Singapore (UTES) will support the ACT initiative through a company training committee (CTC). Both Singtel and UTES signed a three-year agreement to work together.
“Technology, media and telecommunications companies are driving digital innovation and transformation, but they are not immune to the challenges brought about by Industry 4.0. In this vein, I’m encouraged that Singtel is the first telco to partner the Labour Movement in setting up a CTC to help their workers be future-ready with new or different skillsets.
“With continued commitment from our tripartite partners, I’m confident that we can achieve three big ‘Wins’: win for Singapore’s economy, win for our businesses, and importantly, win for our workers,” said NTUC Secretary-General Ng Chee Meng, who witnessed the signing.
UTES General Secretary Thuvinder Singh said although technology is advancing quickly, workers, union and employers can progress and thrive in the transformation journey if all parties embrace the change and have a positive mindset.
Singtel started its digital transformation journey in 2012. Since then, it has digitalised its business and developed in the areas of digital marketing and cybersecurity.
In the past year, over 600 Singtel workers underwent skills conversion to take on new roles through initiatives like the professional conversion programme and company-led training programmes. An additional 1,000 employees are expected to do the same by 2020.
