Gov’t launches partnership with Twitter to upskill workforce

The social media giant will also help Singapore in promoting digital literacy and internet safety.

Singapore has launched a partnership with the social media giant, Twitter, to help the government in its ambitions towards digitalisation since the COVID-19 outbreak.

Under the partnership, Twitter will help the government in three key initiatives, namely: enhancing and upskilling Singapore’s workforce; promoting and strengthening Internet safety and digital literacy amongst Singaporeans; and supporting the government’s COVID-19 communications on Twitter.

In a statement, Twitter outlined its plans in helping the government with these initiatives. First, the social media giant will be working with the Institutes of Higher Learning (IHLs), as well as a number of government agencies, to develop a series of virtual immersion programmes to introduce current students, recent graduates, and mid-career individuals to a range of digital skills and career opportunities in technology.

Twitter will be offering all Singaporeans free access to Twitter Flight School, a comprehensive digital marketing education programme that equips everyone, regardless of background, with “Twitter marketing essentials” from insights analysis, creative design, to digital campaign management.

Beyond the public education programme, Twitter is also launching specific career development opportunities tailored to women and mid-career professionals looking to break into the technology sector. This includes a two-day virtual immersion programme introducing around 40 female computer science or engineering students to Twitter’s engineering work in the region and a career roadshow held in tandem with the SkillsFuture Month where Twitter will invite 200 individuals to connect directly with Twitter employees to network and seek technical advice on how to transition into the technology sector. 

The social giant also worked with IHLs to educate 7,000 Singaporean youths on digital literacy best practices and online safety tips.

Twitter also extended its #vaccinated✌️ emoji to the #IGotMyShotSG✌️ hashtag, and supported the Ministry of Communications and Information with a pro bono grant to promote the latest updates on the vaccination programme.

“This partnership with the Singapore Government is a testament to our continued commitment to Singapore both as a regional business hub and a global digital talent pool. We welcome the opportunity to work with the Government and the wider community to support Singaporeans in these transitory times and help them acquire the digital skills they need for the future of work and play,” said Yu Sasamoto, vice president for the unified region of Twitter Japan, South Korea, and Asia Pacific.

According to Twitter, the partnership marks its latest commitment to Singapore, where its Asia Pacific headquarters are located, since the office opened in 2015.