TikTok to launch e-commerce training for Heartlands shops

This is part of its $16.3m investments to boost Southeast Asian small businesses.

Social media platform TikTok will be rolling out a programme that will provide e-commerce training for shops in the Heartlands as part of its investment to support around 120,000 small businesses in the region.

In a statement, TikTok said the programme will help small businesses in the Heartlands to adopt to the digital economy.

“TikTok will launch a comprehensive, structured digital training programme for Heartland shops in Singapore to build a presence online in a safe, inclusive, and accessible manner,” TikTok said in a statement.

“These heartland SMBs will be trained to effectively utilise TikTok to grow their business,” it added.

READ MORE: Singapore e-commerce generated $2b of Singapore’s GDP in 2022: report

TikTok announced that it would be investing around $16.3m (US$12.2m) to provide cash grants, digital skills training and advertising credits for small businesses in rural and suburban areas.

Aside from the e-commerce training, TikTok will also launch a programme for mentorship and entrepreneurship training for youths that are undergoing vocational and technical training. This will be in partnership with related government agencies and non-profit organisations.

The platform will also educate 5,000 tertiary students in the Lion City for five years through its flagship annual technical training bootcamp to provide practical knowledge related to the tech industry.

A 24-month graduate trainee programme will also be offered in Indonesia, Thailand, Vietnam, Singapore, Malaysia, and the Philippines to equip the graduates with skills in the e-commerce industry, ranging from seller engagement to building relationships with brands and creators.

$1=US$0.75