The Infocomm Media Development Authority (IMDA) has partnered with IBM to enhance tech skills of professionals in preparation for embracing the digital economy.

According to IMDA CEO Tan Kit How, ICT professionals possessing tech skills in blockchain, data analytics, and artificial intelligence are in strong demand with digital transformation buoying industries.

As IMDA’s newest partner in their company-led training program under the TechSkills Accelerator (TeSA) initiative, IBM will roll out their first ‘New Collar Apprenticeship’ initiative outside of the United States.

In addition, IBM will employ and upskill non-degree holders for Infocomm technology (ICT) jobs who are working in the tech industry to aid Singapore in solving the shortage of IT skills.

The initiative will let 70 apprentices over two years from 2018 to 2020 to receive a structured training through 12 months of on-the-job training in critical emerging tech areas such as application development, artificial intelligence, blockchain, data analytics, robotic process automation (RPA) and SAP.

Tan Kit stated, “Through our partnership with IBM, aspiring local tech professionals will have another avenue to develop frontier tech skills, and seize exciting career opportunities in Singapore’s digital economy.”

The move is significant given an earlier study by human resources firm Robert Half found that Singapore is facing skills shortage within the tech sector. More than 92% of chief information officers (CIOs) noted that they had difficulties in finding qualified IT professionals compared to five years ago.

IMDA’s study found that firms have projected that the demand for Infocomm professionals will grow by another 42,300 between 2017 to 2019.

To be eligible for the program, Singaporean citizens preferably with a diploma in Infocomm, science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) or other related disciplines that have less than five years of working experience post-graduation qualify.