A new collection of training programmes was launched on Thursday (12 July 2018) and aims to help professionals, who have little to no IT background, gain digital proficiency skills.
The Digital Proficiency Programme
(DigiPro), is targeted at busy professionals, managers, executives and
technicians (PMETs). It consists of short modular courses in, cyber security, business data and insights,
content creation, as well as personal branding to begin with.
What is the Digital Proficiency Programme?
The Singapore
Computer Society (SCS), the leading info-comm and digital media
professional society in Singapore, designed the programme. DigiPro is a recognised
benchmark for digital knowledge and skills for PMETs. It provides high-quality
standards and recognition for essential digital knowledge and skills to help the
increase work efficiency and organisational
productivity of PMETs. In addition, it provides a means for PMETs to test
digital knowledge against a defined benchmark in the following key digital
competencies:
a.
Cybersecurity (launching in
August 2018):
PMETs will learn about IT Security and its impact
on both the personal and organisational
level. They will gain a fundamental knowledge of
cybersecurity laws and regulations in Singapore, cyber threats, and good security practices. They will also become
versed in detecting and protecting devices and software for intrusions and have
an understanding of the PDPA (Personal DataProtection Act) and know how to comply with
its requirements.
b.
Business Data & Insights
(launching in October 2018):
PMETs will be taught how to be aware of the various
data formats and the importance of useful
data. And discover how to collect, protect and store it for easy access, as
well as grasp how to analyse, visualise and present such data in meaningful
formats so as to communicate business insights.
c.
Digital Content Creation
(launching in Q1 2019):
This will enable PMETs to master the principles of
visual design and acquire skills to create content such as infographics, videos,
photos and podcasts for their audiences. They will learn about social media
platforms and websites; understand possible Internet Protocol issues and
be able to publish content online.
d.
Branding Professional Image
in the Digital Economy (launching in Q1 2019):
PMETs will attain the know-how to use targeted
keywords to define their professional personas for a digital resume and be able
to magnify this professional persona via content marketing and online
engagement to garner job opportunities.
Speaking at the programme’s launch at the Mandarin
Orchard Singapore hotel on Thursday (July 12), Josephine Teo, Minister,
Ministry of Manpower, described the programme as a step towards building an
agile workforce that will be able to meet and surpass future challenges as well
as survive and thrive in an increasingly competitive global market.
The future of work is still in the process
of being molded and refined. However, the process can be rewarding and it also
pays to stay ahead of the competition. “This means that we will need an
agile workforce and agile businesses that are always alert to emerging trends,
always checking what works, what doesn’t, always seeking to be better,”
she added. Mrs Teo stated that technology
would help reduce the reliance on manpower in some areas, but growing companies
may still have to hire more people to fill other newer jobs. With technology
boosting productivity, wages can be higher as well. In order to benefit from
this, workers must not be “stuck with old skills in declining businesses”
and should be given a chance to reskill and be redeployed, she said.
Chief executive of the Infocomm Media
Development Authority of Singapore, Tan Kiat How, who was also at the event,
said initiatives like DigiPro, will help support and develop digitally skilled
professionals, bringing Singapore closer to its goal of becoming a global
digital economy.
