The Smart Nation and Digital Government Office (SNDGO) and National Trades Union Congress (NTUC) signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) on 30 November to formalize their collaborations that will equip workers with knowledge and skills for the digital economy. They also aim to engage Singaporeans in the co-creation of Smart Nation initiatives and digital government services.
The MOU was announced by Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Finance Heng Swee Keat at the inaugural “Smart Nation & U” event held at Downtown East. DPM Heng witnessed the signing of the MOU by Dr Vivian Balakrishnan, Minister-in-Charge of the Smart Nation Initiative, and Mr Heng Chee How, Deputy Secretary-General, NTUC.
Through this MOU, SNDGO and NTUC will jointly organize outreach events and activities to engage and educate workers in NTUC’s networks, as well as the wider community, on the benefits of digital technologies in their everyday lives.
They will also co-develop a suite of programs to train and engage workers. This involves equipping them with digital skills and know-how in emerging technologies such as Artificial Intelligence and Data Science. This will build on NTUC’s existing efforts to upskill workers, in support of Industry 4.0 and Worker 4.0, and enable them to remain resilient in the future workplace.
The MOU also aims to drive the co-creation of digital government services and digital advocacy, as well as establish “Technology Test Villages” to pilot new Smart Nation initiatives and digital government services in a real-life environment.
The “Smart Nation & U” event where the MOU was announced featured over 70 interactive and experiential booths, bringing together more than 80 technology solutions with touch-feel-play elements from over 60 partners, including Government agencies, technology companies, SMEs, community groups and education institutions.
