RMIT Online expands regional footprint with SkillsFuture Singapore partnership
A new partnership will see the Australian university take its disruptive online education model to Singapore in its first international move.
RMIT Online has entered into a strategic partnership with the Singaporean Government’s SkillsFuture Singapore and Apple to bring its iOS App Development with Swift and Developing Blockchain Strategy short courses to Singapore.
A recent study predicted that there will be a global skills deficit of 4.3 million workers by 2030. Recognising the need to prepare for the future, SkillsFuture Singapore is a government-backed initiative that plays a key role in empowering Singaporeans to upskill to stay relevant. In 2018, take-up in its programs rose to over 465,000 participating Singaporeans and 12,000 enterprises.
RMIT Online’s short courses will appear on the SkillsFuture Singapore curated list of industry-relevant training for mid-career professionals, following a successful pilot of the program last year with more than twenty teachers from schools including East View Primary, Ngee Ann Secondary and Raffles Girls’ School. The courses will also feature Singapore-based mentors from global industry partners, including Accenture and Tigerspike.
Commenting on the partnership, RMIT Online CEO, Helen Souness said, “The partnership with SkillsFuture Singapore presents an exciting opportunity for us to bring our lifelong learning vision to a market acutely aware of the need to continually upskill its citizens to be ready for the future of work.
In a period defined by rapid technological advancements, all nations are seeing a need to invest in developing homegrown talent to drive innovation and prosperity. This shift validates the need for us to remodel education to follow industry’s lead.”
Lisa Jackson, Apple's Vice President of Environment, Policy and Social Initiatives, also commented on the partnership, saying, "At Apple, we believe education is one of the most powerful tools we have to make the world a better place. We're thrilled that students of all ages and abilities in Singapore will now be able to tap into the language of coding, gaining the skills they need to grow and succeed in the app economy and beyond.”
Since launching its industry-led short course model in November 2017, RMIT Online has seen tremendous appetite from industry and professionals looking to upskill both within Australia and across the region.
The iOS App Development with Swift has received over 1,300 total course enrolments and has run seven program intakes to-date. RMIT Online’s portfolio now has over 18 industry-developed short courses, covering topics from virtual reality to digital marketing and more. Find out more futureskills.rmit.edu.au
