Prudential Singapore is giving more support to SMEs here so that they can pick up more skills in areas such as developing and implementing their skills development plans, which better positions them to respond to a rapidly evolving business environment.
This Prudential Singapore’s SME Skills Accelerator (SSA) programme is a collaboration with SkillsFuture Singapore (SSG) and Prudential.
According to Prudential, a distinguishing component of the programme is to provide a dedicated Prudential “skills manager” to help the SMEs identify the skills needed and to also customise what to offer.
These skills managers will work alongside a team of Prudential’s financial consultants trained and equipped with knowledge on SkillsFuture initiatives to engage SMEs who join the SSA programme.
Prudential will also be building a digital training course booking platform with reminders and course recommendations to help SMEs sustain their workforce development needs.
Prudential is the first insurer to be appointed as a so-called SkillsFuture Queen Bee company, and will be running the SSA programme to support participating SMEs in identifying their skills development needs to meet immediate and longer-term business objectives.
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Prudential has designed the 12- month programme to be flexible so that participating SMEs have the option to take on training programmes that are most relevant to them and still receive the full-year skills advisory support.
“During these challenging times, SMEs may have been forced to put their training and upskilling plans on hold to focus on business priorities and financial challenges. We want to help
SMEs on their journeys of continuous learning, as being future ready will drive a company’s long-term business growth, which in turn will help sustain Singapore’s economic growth,” says Prudential Singapore’s Chief Customer Officer, Goh Theng Kiat.
“The SME Skills Accelerator programme aims to equip SMEs with the skills and resources to grow and innovate their business, upskill employees to aid their career progression and improve SMEs’ employee retention, as well as provide valuable opportunities for SMEs to learn from their counterparts,” he adds.
Ong Tze Chin, Chief Executive of SSG calls SMEs the backbone of Singapore’s economy. “A workforce that is equipped with the latest emerging skills, is critical in helping our SMEs stay competitive and grow their businesses. The SkillsFuture Queen Bee partnership with Prudential allows the SkillsFuture movement to reach even more SMEs,” he says.
To-date, more than 30 SMEs have signed up for the SSA programme which began in late-October 2020. These SMEs are from various industries including construction, education, food & beverage (F&B), funeral services, and information technology.
Photo Caption: Participants at the Prudential Singapore SME Skills Accelerator programme engagement event. First row, from left: Prudential Singapore’s CEO Dennis Tan; Minister of State Gan Siow Huang; SkillsFuture Singapore’s deputy CEO (Industry) Michael Fung; Prudential Singapore’s head of enterprise segment Julian Chee.
Second row, from left: Goh Thiam Chwee, managing director, Kah Huat Song Kee Fish Agent; Dr Julian Theng, chairman, Eagle Eye Centre and Eagle Wings Group of Companies; Hartaj Singh, director of Delinatural (Asia) and Lisa Theng, co- founder, Eagle Wings Group of Companies.
Third row, from left: Prudential Singapore’s head of innovation Magdalene Loh; SkillsFuture Singapore’s director, enterprise engagement office, Peggy Lim.
