SINGAPORE - MediaOutReach - 14 November 2018 - Kaplan Learning Institute (KLI), one ofSingapore's leading corporate training and financial literacy provider, and IBM(NYSE), today officially announced the launch of the IBM Skills Academy @Kaplan. The collaboration sees KLI adopting IBM's worldwide premier trainingand certification initiative to train those keen to bridge their digital skillsgap and stand out from the competition.

From left to right: 

- Mr Howie Lau, Chief Industry Development Officer, IMDA 

- Hwee Lee Yeo, Skills Programme Lead, IBM ASEAN and Skills Academy and University Programme Lead 

- Associate Professor Rhys Johnson, Chief Operating Officer & Provost, Kaplan Singapore 

- Ms Ang Li May, Deputy CEO, e2i

IBM Skills Academy @ Kaplan willoffer eight courses in areas such as Blockchain & Big Data, to equipstudents with in-demand technical skills, and enable them to meet industry's requirementsfor new skills and expertise. Upon completion of each course, students willreceive an industry-recognised IBM Digital Badge certifying their competence.

Supported by the Infocomm MediaDevelopment Authority of Singapore (IMDA) and the Employment and EmployabilityInstitute (e2i), IBM Skills Academy @ Kaplan seeks to answer the workforceneeds of today's digital economy by transforming students into industry-focusedprofessionals with face-to-face training in the application of latest infocommtechnologies and tools.

Combining IBM's sophisticateddigital learning assets with KLI's skilled training resources, thiscollaboration brings about an unparalleled blend of learning and ensuresindustry-relevant training in areas of high demand such as Information andCommunications Technology (ICT).

This collaboration is aligned withthe aim of Techskills Accelerator (TeSA). TeSA -- a national initiative drivenby IMDA -- works toward building and developing a skilled ICT workforce for theSingapore economy.

Eligible trainees taking upcourses at IBM Skills Academy @ Kaplan, which are supported through TeSA's CriticalInfocomm Technology Resource Programme Plus (CITREP+), may enjoy course feesupport. In addition, NTUC members can enjoy furthercourse fee subsidy under the Union Training Assistance Programme (UTAP),supported by the NTUC-Education and Training Fund (NETF) and administered bythe Employment and Employability Institute (e2i).

Abraham Thomas, Managing Directorof IBM Singapore, says "Theurgent need for qualified and experienced IT talent is a global phenomenon andone that IBM and Kaplan have been keenly aware. It gives us great pleasure tobe able to put into practice a core collaboration with IMDA, Kaplan LearningInstitute and IBM to upskill students with IBM Skills Academy @ Kaplan. Theunique advantage of world-class academic learning outcomes, priceless industryknowledge and experience from one of the largest technology companies of theworld, coupled with the deep training skills of Kaplan will reap deep rewardsfor the country and its future."

AssociateProfessor Rhys Johnson, Chief Operating Officer and Provost of Kaplan Singapore,asserts, "We are pleased to be collaborating with IBM,who has actively contributed in the areas of education, research and thetransfer of technology to aid in upgrading the IT skills and resources ofSingapore. The collaboration will provide more opportunities for individuals tostay relevant, reiterating Kaplan as a Lifelong Integrated Learning Partner inoffering both academic programmes for higher learning as well as professionalcertifications and training courses for skills development. With availablefunding through CITREP+ and UTAP, the courses of the IBM Skills Academy @Kaplan are made available to more individuals to upskill and specialise in theareas of ICT."

Howie Lau, Chief Industry Development Officer, Infocomm MediaDevelopment Authority (IMDA), shared, "ICT professionals with deep techskills such as blockchain and data analytics are in strong demand especiallywith the rapid digital transformation of industries and businesses. As such, wewelcome the launch of IBM Skills Academy @ Kaplan, which will provide a varietyof training courses for local aspiring tech professionals in Singapore. Supportedunder TechSkills Accelerator (TeSA), such courses in fields like artificialintelligence and cloud computing are in line with our aim to prepare ourworkforce for the new digital economy."

Vicky Wong, deputy CEO of e2i, comments:

"As oureconomy enters Industry 4.0 and Singapore is increasingly powered by digitalinnovation, there is a need for our workers to be up-to-date with in-demandtechnological skillsets. By supporting these courses, we hope that ourworkforce will have easier access to these skills upgrades and steadily movetowards becoming Worker 4.0 to thrive in the digital era."

For more information on IBMSkills Academy @ Kaplan, visit https://www.kaplan.com.sg/courses/ibm-skills-academy/.