What is The Digital Academy?
The Digital Academy by the Government Technology Agency of Singapore (GovTech Singapore) is a “Practitioner for Practitioner” academy that operates at the unique intersection of technology and public service. The Academy aims to groom future-ready digital leaders to be well-versed in the technology ecosystem to accelerate the public sector’s digital transformation.
The Academy offers a robust suite of information and communications technology (ICT) programmes that are contextualised to the public service, anchored on the ICT & Smart Systems (ICT&SS) Competency Framework and guided by competency gaps identified by ICT&SS practice leads and agencies’ needs through Digital Maturity Index and Ministry Family Digitalisation Plan. The curriculum will start with 55 programmes in various categories including Applications Development, Data & Analytics, Digital Leadership and Technology & Operations Management, with another 40 to be available by end of FY2021 (March 2022).
Why The Digital Academy?
While there are many learning providers offering technical programmes in the market, The Digital Academy sets itself apart by offering programmes specially curated by a strong in-house team and delivered by reputable content partners for public service officers and leaders, particularly those in the ICT&SS profession seeking to advance their current skills. Industry partners who work frequently with the Public Service may also benefit from these programmes, as they work in tandem with the Public Service to strengthen the skills and know-how of the tech ecosystem supporting Singapore’s digitalisation efforts. The Academy will focus on both Workforce Transformation and Capability Development.
Who is The Digital Academy for?
The Digital Academy is designed to raise the digital literacy of all public service leaders and officers, particularly those in a tech capacity, by:
- Deepening their ICT skills to achieve digital excellence in various innovation pillars, such as agile development, artificial intelligence & robotics, cybersecurity, sensors and Internet of Things, and more.
- Equipping them with the necessary knowledge and skills required to deliver digitalisation outcomes and lead digital transformation in their agencies.
- Enabling them to be digitally confident by building up their capabilities.
How does Digital Academy work?
Driven by the Smart Nation and Digital Government Group, The Digital Academy is supported by an operations partner, currently the Institute of Systems Science at the National University of Singapore (NUS-ISS). The curriculum is curated by an in-house team, in close partnership with nine leading industry players – Amazon Web Services, Coursera, Google, Microsoft, Qlik, Secure Code Warrior, SingTel TrustWave, Tableau and ThoughtWorks – as content partners. More will be onboarded in due course.
All public service officers and leaders would be able to access up-to-date information and course offerings via The Digital Academy website (thedigitalacademy.tech.gov.sg).
Courses at The Digital Academy are designed to be both blended and hybrid – delivered using multiple formats; beyond the typical in-person or virtual lectures, participants can expect to attend instructor-led workshops, tech talks, exchanges with the Community of Practice, hackathons and even be offered opportunities for on-the-job training. The programmes will be constantly refreshed to address the fast-changing tech landscape and equip officers with current skills to help them be digitally confident.
