IBM launches technology apprenticeship

IBM has teamed with Singapore’s Infocomm Media Development Authority (IMDA) to develop local professionals with specialised technology skills that will help prepare them for the future digital economy.

This marks IBM’s first “New Collar Apprenticeship” initiative that is being launched outside the US.

“New collar jobs” are roles in some of the technology industry’s fastest growing fields, from cybersecurity and cloud computing to cognitive business and digital design, which places strong emphasis on mastery of skillsets, and not only based on degree qualifications.

Under this new initiative, IBM will on-board 70 “apprentices” over 2 years from 2018 to 2020, and provide structured training in specialised technology skills to aspiring tech professionals.

All apprentices will go through 12 months of on-the-job training in critical emerging technology areas such as application development, artificial intelligence, blockchain, data analytics, robotic process automation – skills that are in high demand in Singapore.

To qualify for an apprenticeship under this initiative, applicants must be Singaporean citizens and preferably graduated with a diploma in infocomm, science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) or other related disciplines and have less than five years of working experience post-graduation.

“The urgent need for qualified and experienced IT talent is a global phenomenon and one that IBM has been keenly aware of. Those that complete their apprenticeships in IBM will not only be equipped with the necessary skills to pursue a career in the technology field, but they will also have the unique advantage of priceless hands-on experience from one of the largest tech companies of the world,” said Abraham Thomas, Managing Director of IBM Singapore.