Dell Technologies (NYSE: DELL), today announced the launch of a tech skills accelerator initiative to empower up to 3,000 fresh graduates, mid-career professionals and students in Singapore with knowledge and skills in cloud computing, data protection and management, data science, and big data analytics over the next two years. The two-part initiative comprises a training and enablement opportunity for Singapore-based Dell Technologies' partner and customer firms, and a collaboration with the Singapore Management University on a cloud-native focused curriculum for its students.

Delivered by Dell Technologies Academy, the new initiative aims to meet the growing demand for tech talent and push the frontiers for digital transformation in Singapore. Participants will benefit from an accelerated and immersive learning approach with coaches and peers.

According to Dell TechnologiesDigital Transformation Index 2020, data privacy and cybersecurity concerns are amongst the top challenges faced by organisations in Singapore. The inability to extract insights from data and/or information overload, as well as the lack of the right in-house skillsets and expertise closely followed next.

"Digital economy advancements have shaken up skills requirements, increased the pace of change and led to a surge in demand for highly-skilled tech talent. Together with VMware, we are proud to help bridge the skills gaps with the launch of Dell Technologies Academy's tech skills accelerator initiative enabling individuals to learn and adapt to the industry's evolving digital transformation needs," said Amit Midha, President, Asia Pacific & Japan, and Global Digital Cities, Dell Technologies. "As Singapore continues to grow its status as a global technology and innovation hub, technology companies have an important role to play in contributing back to this economy. We recognise the responsibility and role of companies such as ours have in helping to upskill and train the talent to help bridge the critical skills gap."

"The growth of Singapore's vibrant innovation economy builds upon the foundation of a strong and skilful tech talent pool. As organisations adapt, respond and accelerate their businesses in this digital-first economy, they will need to first close the skills gap of employees in Singapore," said Adrian Hia, Country Manager, VMware Singapore. "Together as Dell Technologies, we are excited to help strengthen this foundation and in turn, propel Singapore's economy forward and faster to the future."

Training and enablement opportunities for fresh graduates and mid-career professionals to deepen technical proficiency

To deepen skillsets required for the data era,Dell Technologies Skills Upis a five-week training session available to 1,000 employees at Singapore-based Dell Technologies' partner and customer firms enrolled to either the SGUnited Traineeship or Mid-career Pathways programme.

The sessions will equip individuals with relevant skills for job roles such as Data Protection and Management Engineer, Data Analyst, and Converged Cloud Infrastructure Engineer. At the end of the programme, all participants will be evaluated on their technical proficiency and awarded industry-recognised certifications such as the Dell Certified Associate upon passing the examination.

Getting Future Ready is a flexible eight-week programme piloted by VMware to offer structured learning paths towards emerging Cloud Native job roles and opportunities.

Together,Dell Technologies Skills Up and Getting Future Readywill train up to 2,000 fresh graduates and mid-career professionals in Singapore. Both programmes will benefit tech talent across Dell Technologies' partner and customer ecosystems.

New collaboration between Dell Technologies and Singapore Management University to boost students' employability with cloud-native skills

Besides creating opportunities to develop existing talent, Dell Technologies has also announced a collaboration with Singapore Management University (SMU) to incorporate cloud-native technologies and content into their curriculum that will be conducted to over 1,000 students.

Undergraduate students from SMU School of Computing and Information Systems will undergo classroom-based training and experience hands-on lab sessions to gain practical technical skills in cloud-native practices and technologies.

Led by VMware, Dell Technologies will also be mentoring final-year students on cloud-native projects, participate in guest lectures and technical workshops to deepen the students' cloud-native skills.

Professor Pang Hwee Hwa, Dean of the School of Computing and Information Systems at the Singapore Management University said: "Companies and public agencies are employing digital technology to transform their business models and processes. The digital transformation of industries, economies and societies will accelerate going forward. It is therefore imperative that we equip our students with highly sought-after computing skills, including emerging technologies such as cloud-native skills, so that they become industry ready, innovation-enabled solution developers who are able to create value to business and society. We are confident that the knowledge and skills gained from our growing collaboration with VMware and Dell Technologies can boost the employability of our students and help them stay abreast of the evolving technological trends."

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