Singtel forges initiative to help SMEs hire digital professionals

It has partnered with Nanyang Polytechnic and Singapore Polytechnic.

Singtel has rolled out another initiative to help small and medium enterprises (SMEs) in Singapore to thrive in the digital economy.

It has partnered Nanyang Polytechnic (NYP) - Singapore Institute of Retail Studies (SIRS) and Singapore Polytechnic (SP) to empower SMEs in the retail and food and beverage sectors to be digital-savvy.

According to the group, the partnerships augment the 99% SME initiative by training SMEs to use tools and resources to get online, establish e-commerce capabilities, and market themselves more effectively.

In this initiative, Singtel will tie up with NYP’s SIRS to help SMEs hire “digital professionals” who will guide the SMEs on adopting e-commerce and retail analytics as well as using digital marketing solutions such as Search Engine Optimisation and Search Engine Marketing. These digital professionals comprise professionals, managers, executives, and technicians (PMETs) who have been re-skilled. SMEs which sign up for this scheme will enjoy government subsidies of up to 90%.

Meanwhile, SP students will advise food and beverage owners on ways to better showcase their offerings on the 99% SME website, and guide them to adopt Singtel’s Connected Restaurant solution.

Singtel managing director for group enterprise Andrew Lim said through the collaboration, SMEs will be able to improve their productivity, reduce costs, gain new revenue, and scale their businesses.

He added, "Second, PMETs are being re-skilled and re-employed whilst using their skills to help SMEs in their digital journey. Third, the students will acquire deep skills and develop entrepreneurial spirit, which prime them for their career development in the digital field."

To recall, Singtel, along with DBS and other partners, launched the inaugural 99% SME campaign in 2015 to rally all in Singapore to use products and services offered by SMEs.

Just recently, Singtel and Lazada announced the launch of 99% SME e-marketplace – a dedicated portal hosted on Lazada Singapore’s website for SMEs to advertise their offerings and tap on a wider online customer base.