SCS Magazine 2023 Issue 1

Vision

01 The

Mission

Lead the Way

To lead and contribute to the vibrancy and growth of Singapore’s infocomm and digital media industry

Add Value

To add value to the infocomm and digital media professional’s career and personal development

Be the Voice

To engage and be the voice of the infocomm and digital media community

10 Wong

13 Are You Ready to Explore Tech Beyond Tech?

14 Is the Tech Winter Here?

#LATEST@SCS

16 SCS New Executive Council Swears In

18 SCS Welcomes 17 New SCS Fellows

19 Career Mentors Inspire Over 100 Students and Professionals

21 WIT Board Readiness Programme is Launched!

23 Inaugural Session of SCS Digital Experience @ The Library

25 Are You Fired or Fired Up?

The Best Days of Tech Are Still Ahead!

Having started my career more than three decades ago in tech and survived the dotcom crash, you need to trust me on this one – the future in tech is still bright.

At the worst of the dotcom crash, jobs were lost and businesses went bust. But you should know that many of those companies that survived eventually morphed into something totally different – much more competitive and successful. That is the story of Amazon, Google (founded in 1998) and Netflix (then still a DVD distributor!) and many in Singapore too!

There’s no reason to think that it’ll be different this time.

Moreover, the tech landscape is in a much better place today. The average internet penetration rate as of January 2023 is well over 60% globally, according to Statista. Online shopping is so sophisticated that artificial intelligence (AI) suggests a shopping list for you the moment you launch your shopping app. And let’s not forget those high-earning celebrity brand influencers on YouTube, Facebook, Instagram and TikTok.

But perhaps, the most important difference lies in that tech is not just in one industry. It’s embedded in every industry and every company. And it’s not just about cost savings and productivity improvement anymore. It’s also about new types of products, solutions and revenue streams. For example, DBS is as much a tech company as it is a bank. And in the health industry, care and tech are so interwoven that we can’t have healthcare without HealthTech – just ask our friends at IHiS. As a matter of fact, LinkedIn’s data confirms the same.

EDITOR

Tan Teng Cheong

CONTRIBUTING WRITERS

Frank Koo

Vladyslav Koshelyev

Ong Leong Seng

Tan Choon Boon

EDITORIAL SUPPORT

Claudia Lim

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EDITORIAL & DESIGN

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Truth is, based on the Ministry of Manpower’s fourth quarter Labour Market Report – seven in 10 retrenched professionals found jobs within six months. And as Senior Minister of State Tan Kiat How shared, the Singapore Government is also proactively helping tech professionals to upskill and reskill, particularly in in-demand areas such as Software Engineering, Cloud & Mobility and AI & Analytics.

All said, there’s no denying that the sky over us – tech professionals – is a little overcast at the moment. But fret not, to every dark cloud, there’s a silver lining and we know it won’t be long before the cloud blows over.

The same goes for businesses. As leadership veteran Ms Wong Su-Yen, Chairperson of Singapore Institute of Directors, explains, having more board-ready leaders who recognise how good corporate culture can contribute towards their sustainability is key to weathering the current climate and emerging stronger and more sustainable.

As for you and me – before the sky starts clearing, how about we take the opportunity to start building up our arsenal of skills and have our credentials recorded in the upcoming SCS micro-certifications and digital credentialing portal? It’ll be a wise thing to do!

Happy reading!

TAN TENG CHEONG Editor Fellow, SCS tan.teng.cheong@scs.org.sg

FEEDBACK

We value your feedback for this magazine. Simply email scs.secretariat@scs.org.sg with your comments to help us produce an even more interesting and relevant magazine for you in subsequent issues. You are welcome to submit articles for inclusion consideration.

For advertising enquiries, please call 6226 2567 or email scs.secretariat@scs.org.sg. The IT Society is the official publication of the Singapore Computer Society. Any part of this publication may be reproduced as long as credit is given to the publisher, Singapore Computer Society.

All views expressed by contributors are their own and do not necessarily reflect the views of the Society.

Is There a Future in Tech?

One trend has emerged in the world of work in recent years – every company is either a tech company or becoming a tech company. Starting from the early days of the COVID-19 pandemic, most organisations had to adopt or accelerate the adoption of tech. Whether it was leveraging technology to create new customer experiences, generate new business revenue streams or simply to keep their business operational, tech played – and continues to play – an important part to enable business continuity, resilience, and innovation.

FRANK KOO

Head of Asia, Talent and Learning Solutions, LinkedIn

Today, technology is no longer just a small support function or a “nice-to-have” – as digitalisation and business transformation continue to accelerate in companies no matter their size or industry.

However, recent news of layoffs has rocked the tech industry. Professionals and fresh graduates who are keen to explore careers in tech may inevitably be discouraged. This is especially as job cuts in the industry show no signs of slowing even as we enter 2023.

TECH SKILLS REMAIN HIGHLY SOUGHT AFTER

Despite the uncertain climate, LinkedIn data shows that professionals in Singapore with strong tech skills remain highly sought-after. LinkedIn’s Jobs on the Rise list which spotlights the fastest-growing job roles reveals that continued focus on digitalisation and disruptive technologies, as well as the need to drive business growth in an uncertain economic environment are creating opportunities for tech professionals in 2023. Tech jobs make up almost half of the top 15 list in Singapore, such as Cloud Engineer (ranked second), Cybersecurity Engineer, Back-End Developer and Artificial Intelligence Engineer.

One may ask, why then have there been so many job cuts in the tech sector? During the pandemic, industries like tech, information, and media experienced big hiring booms – and the recent movement is a sign of rebalancing in these industries as they return to more normal hiring levels. Nonetheless, all industries, including tech, are constantly evolving. Hence, while certain job functions may be impacted by layoffs in the short term, new opportunities may emerge as

companies adapt to new technologies and business models.

It is also important to note that tech jobs serve more than the tech sector. They are in demand in other sectors as companies continue to invest in digital transformation. LinkedIn data shows that the majority of those who transition out of the tech sector in Singapore go into professional services (45%), finance (21%) and manufacturing (12%).

PROFESSIONALS WITH GROWTH MINDSET HAVE AN ADVANTAGE

For professionals to tap into available opportunities, it is important to stay informed about industry trends, and develop in-demand skills in growing areas of the economy. By doing so, they will gain the dexterity to pursue and grow a career in tech or another domain.

The key is to be in “permanent beta” – a term coined by author and entrepreneur Reid Hoffman – that suggests that in today’s fast-paced, ever-changing world, we should always be in a state of learning and adapting. This can involve learning new hard and soft skills, exploring new areas of knowledge, or experimenting with new approaches to problem-solving. Networking – be it via physical events or on professional networking platform LinkedIn – can also help professionals learn about job opportunities, get advice from experienced professionals or just receive support from fellow peers. More significantly, these relationships can lead to future opportunities.

COMPANIES THAT INVEST IN SKILLSBUILDING WILL EMERGE STRONGER

Increasingly, companies are realising that their organisations are only as strong as the collective talent of the people who work there. When job seekers find new opportunities beyond the tech sector, companies in industries looking to deepen their digital capabilities or diversify skill sets and experience in their workforce are presented with a unique opportunity. They can strengthen their teams and stay competitive in a rapidly changing business landscape.

But employers need to know that top talent – tech and non-tech – not only value compensation, but also learning and development opportunities, work-life balance, flexible working arrangements, meaningful work, as well as a good company culture. Particularly in the Asia Pacific markets that LinkedIn studied, including Singapore, the lack of opportunities to develop and learn new skills is the top reason for talent to leave the company.

Companies that have yet to look into investing in their human capital risk being less agile and competitive as the business environment continues to evolve. There are also missed opportunities. A learning culture empowering all employees – from C-suites to new hires – to invest in themselves stands to yield major returns for the business.

In Singapore, business leaders are already taking steps to increase the resilience of their workforce amidst economic uncertainty. About six in 10 are encouraging collaboration and knowledge sharing. They are also investing in learning and development opportunities to upskill and reskill employees. Half of those surveyed by LinkedIn also said that they are asking employees for ideas on where improvements and efficiencies can be made.

SKILLS-FIRST FOCUS IS THE FUTURE

The future of work is skills-first. Companies focusing on skills as the currency in the world of work, and shifting away from more antiquated signals like educational degree, pedigree, or where and how long someone worked, enjoy a better chance of bringing in the right talent and positively engaging and motivating their workforce – so that employees stay for the long haul and do their best work.

Ultimately, applying a skills-first approach to the world of work helps connect businesses to talent, and talent to opportunities. Companies and professionals that invest in skillsbuilding will emerge stronger from the economic fallout of the pandemic.

Demystifying Tech Careers: Don’t Let the Cooldown Stop You in 2023

As the tech job market cools off, both new and seasoned tech talent are left wondering if they can still secure a position and excel in the field. Truth is, despite the uncertainties, the tech industry continues to be a vital and rapidly expanding sector – and I foresee companies to continue pursuing digitalisation.

You just need to look beyond the news headlines to find the tech sector a vibrant space with great potential for developing exciting careers. The banking and financial services sector, in particular, continues to tap on technology to reimagine the future of banking, and is always hungry for technology talent.

So let’s take this opportunity to clear up misperceptions once and for all by uncovering the reality behind some of these prevailing myths.

TAN CHOON BOON Senior Member, SCS Professional of the Year, SCS IT Leader Awards 2019 Head of Cloud Engineering and Services, DBS

MYTH #1: TECH JOBS ARE TEDIOUS, AND ONLY BIG TECH COMPANIES WORK ON EXCITING PROJECTS

When most people think of tech jobs, they often picture endless hours of hardware tinkering, code debugging, and mundane tasks.

But the truth is that the tech industry is incredibly diverse, encompassing a vast array of companies and job types. From small startups that revolutionised social media and the sharing economy to big players like Meta, Amazon and Netflix, the opportunities in tech are vast and varied.

And tech is much more than “Big Tech”. As a young graduate looking to break into the tech scene, it’s worth considering tech roles across a variety of sectors which offer equally highvalue and career defining work, if not more. For example, techies in the banking and financial sector tackle fulfilling challenges that directly improve customers’ lives by creating e-wallet ecosystems, deploying public cloud solutions, and enhancing chatbots.

In the case of DBS, our technologists also work on AI initiatives for products such as NavPlanner – a digital advisory tool that tracks customers’ personal savings, expenses, investments, and insurance in the DBS digibank app. That’s not all – our own tech graduates augmented the physical and online townhalls for our technology and operations units in the metaverse recently, transforming the experience of their peers.

MYTH #2: THERE ARE HIGH BARRIERS OF ENTRY TO THE FINTECH SECTOR

Fintech, as the name suggests, delivers sophisticated financial solutions with modern technology innovations. It is therefore understandable that many people perceive the fintech industry as complex and fast-paced, creating invisible barriers to entry.

Thanks to efforts of the private sector, government, and industry associations, this situation has improved significantly with the growth of specialised talent development programmes offered by companies. The 24-month DBS Skill Enhancement Education & Development (SEED) Programme, designed to train aspiring young graduates in building a tech career, is one such instance. Additionally, programmes like the Technology in Finance Immersion Programme and TechSkills Accelerator (TeSA) also help mid-career professionals transition into tech roles in fintech.

Beyond these programmes, hackathons also offer passionate techies opportunities to channel their technical and problem-solving capabilities towards addressing challenges. Hackathons like the DBS Hack2Hire even invite promising candidates to interview for roles with the bank.

MYTH #3: TECH CAREERS LACK STRATEGIC IMPACT

Tech today, more than ever, has moved to the fore, with 95% of CEOs adopting a digital-first strategy,

DID YOU KNOW?

according to a 2022 survey 1 by IDC. Banking is no exception – it has also been redefined by technology. Notably, blockchain paves the way for new financial infrastructure and distributed ledger technologies. Its usage in Singapore’s first programmable live pilot for government vouchers, has further changed the game of digital currency with tokenised SGD.

More fintech companies are also embracing open-source software like Kubernetes, Node and Angular, as well as Agile and DevOps methodologies to enable agility and innovation. Some large companies such as DBS also go the distance by adopting “two-in-abox” and Managing through Journeys (MtJs) approaches to encourage interdisciplinary work and enable a horizontal organisational structure.

Two-in-a-box involves pairing two leaders to work together on a project or initiative while MtJs involves a customercentric approach to product development and innovation.

Therefore, if anything, tech is strategic. Even during economic downturns, companies continue to hire tech talent to accelerate growth, innovation, and improve efficiency. Just look at Slack, Airbnb, Uber, and WhatsApp – they all emerged during the Global Financial Crisis in 2007 with their standout products.

DBS embarked on its digital transformation journey in 2014. Today, people refer to DBS as a tech company with a banking license. DBS has been recognised for its tech achievements, having been named World’s Best Digital Bank by Euromoney twice, in 2021 and 2018. It is also among the 100 Best Workplaces for Innovators in 2022 by Fast Company.

HealthTech –A Bright Spot in Tech

When healthcare was thrust into the forefront of the global agenda during the COVID-19 pandemic, careers in HealthTech took centre stage in the tech landscape. Since then, the pandemic has subsided. However, the spotlight on HealthTech has not waned – and for a good reason.

Life expectancy of Singaporeans is amongst the highest in the world. But chronic disease and an ageing population burdens our healthcare system. That is why in March 2022, Ministry of Health (MOH) announced a new white paper that capsulates the nation’s vision –Healthier SG – in which, bold steps outlining the transformation of healthcare by leveraging primary care

practitioners in the community to support preventive healthcare efforts and better manage chronic disease, are detailed.

HEALTHTECH HAS A PART TO PLAY IN POPULATION HEALTH

Central to the achievement of these health goals, technology plays an instrumental role in enabling us to leapfrog to the next stage

ONG LEONG SENG Member, SCS Deputy Chief Executive, Integrated Health Information Systems

of transformation and bring the nation closer to our health goals. As Singapore’s public healthcare continues to focus on realising a Healthier SG, as well as other initiatives to make healthcare more sustainable, Integrated Health Information Systems (IHiS) is in a unique position to empower our citizens with greater access to health services.

Through building user-intuitive systems supporting our GPs and enabling greater collaboration across healthcare providers and community agencies, we could potentially not only enhance patient experience, but also nudge Singaporeans towards healthier lifestyles. Specifically, health applications like HealthHub offer users a convenient means to create health plans, receive reminders to go for regular health screenings, manage medical appointments, order medication refills, and view lab test results. Additionally, the caregiver module enables users to access these same health services on behalf of loved ones.

As technology such as artificial intelligence (AI), augmented reality (AR)/virtual reality (VR), ChatGPT, etc., continues to mature, there are opportunities to harness these technologies to further enhance and improve healthcare provisioning, which is traditionally a high-touch, manpower-intensive service industry.

HEALTHTECH OFFERS SOLUTIONS TO HEALTHCARE CHALLENGES

In the last 15 years, IHiS has won over 150 awards. Three such notable HealthTech solutions remain very relevant today. The first is the National Electronic Health Record (NEHR) that collates summary health records to enable healthcare professionals to make better informed clinical decisions for care, improve patients’ access to their own health records, and facilitate more seamless transition of care across health settings.

Another is the Outpatient Pharmacy Automation System (OPAS) that uses robotics to pack all different forms of medication more efficiently. Significantly increasing speed and accuracy, OPAS enables pharmacists to have more time in medication counselling with patients and reduces wait time for the patients. The last is our Smart Health Video Consultation that enables patients to receive care with greater convenience anytime, anywhere. Integrated with our backend systems, the platform

makes e-consultation appointments seamless.

Then in the last three years, the COVID-19 pandemic surfaced new challenges, and in the process brought to light the importance of HealthTech. Case in point, in support of the nation’s fight against the disease, IHiS deployed over 60 technology initiatives in collaboration with various government agencies throughout the course of the pandemic. Among which were many innovative tech solutions harnessing AI, optical character recognition, telemedicine, and more to support our healthcare workers and Singaporeans in overcoming COVID-19 challenges and manpower constraints.

HEALTHTECH NEEDS MORE HELPING HANDS

COVID-19 may have become endemic, but HealthTech looks set to stay at the forefront. The HealthTech sector remains buoyant in the talent acquisition arena. With growing demands of technical capabilities to meet these goals, IHiS recruits around 100 fresh graduates each year. We are actively hiring tech talents for roles including IT project managers, software engineers, data analysts, system analysts, and professionals in fields such as cybersecurity, cloud, data science, complex system integration and enterprise architecture.

For instance, in an effort to attract high potential ITE, Polytechnic and Tertiary students to build their

careers with IHiS, we started a structured Internship Programme where they take on “Live” projects, learn from our technical experts, and explore career opportunities in HealthTech during their internship. We also collaborate with agencies like Infocomm Media Development Authority (IMDA) in the TechSkills Accelerator (TeSA) company-led MidCareer Conversion Programme, which rides on government-aided platforms to train for in-demand future skills. A similar Google Skills Ignition SG Programme saw a success rate of 70% traineeship-to-permanent job conversions.

Complementary to these initiatives, IHiS also has a comprehensive and structured competency framework which focuses on learning roadmaps to further grow and enhance our employees’ capabilities. For budding young hires, we have in place the HealthTech Associate Programme (HAP), which provides structured foundation training to assimilate employees into the work environment. Apart from on-the-job training, trainees attend workshops, team activities, and interaction sessions with our senior leadership team – to hone their professional skills.

Levelling up, we have the HiPo Programme for star performers. They are given an option to rotate within functions and across different business service groups. They are also paired with an IHiS senior leader whom they can go to for advice, guidance and feedback under a mentorship programme.

IHiS is constantly seeking diverse talents to join our teams to inspire tomorrow’s health. If you are interested in a career in HealthTech, you can find out more from IHiS’ website.

www.ihis.com.sg/careers

State of Tech Landscape: A More Inclusive Digital Nation in the Making

TAN KIAT HOW Fellow, SCS Senior Minister of State, Ministry of Communications and Information Adviser, TIP Alliance

Most Interesting Recent Tech Experience:

Visited a local studio to experience a virtual film production

Currently Watching: Jujitsu Kaisen on Netflix

Currently Reading: The Brain by David Eagleman

One Thing You Can’t Live Without: Wine fridge

Favourite Way to Relax: Walks with my wife

Pet Topic at the Moment: Tips and tricks to keep toddlers entertained

On one hand, news outlets are relentlessly reporting mass layoffs in the tech sector. On the other, the Labour Market Report released by Ministry of Manpower in March suggests that the Information and Communications (I&C) sector is still growing with a good number of job vacancies – and among retrenched professionals, seven in 10 found jobs within six months1. To better grasp the reality of the tech landscape and how the government is supporting the industry’s continued growth, The IT Society checks in with Senior Minister of State Tan Kiat How.

Q: Question, KH: Kiat How

Q: Given the recent spate of mass layoffs in tech, should tech professionals be concerned about their careers and career prospects in tech?

KH: Tech firms have been hiring aggressively over the last few years, particularly during the COVID pandemic period. Recent macroeconomic uncertainties have given several of them pause, and a few others have since reviewed and consolidated their manpower requirements.

Notwithstanding these developments, Singapore’s Digital Economy has maintained its robust growth. The Information and Communications (I&C) sector grew by 13.4% and 8.6% in 2021 and 2022 respectively2. The sector’s workforce has also grown 36%, from 130,000 professionals in 2017 to around

177,000 in 2022. Just last year, total employment within the sector grew by 14,100, with thousands of vacancies still available.

Demand for tech manpower also remains healthy across other industry sectors, beyond the I&C sector. Opportunities abound for tech professionals in areas like full stack development, data analytics, cybersecurity and cloud automation. And the government is committed to support our workforce in acquiring and deepening industry-relevant tech skills to access these opportunities.

Q: What about local tech startups –should they be concerned about their business growth and prospects?

KH: The global tech ecosystem is deeply interconnected. As a tech hub,

Singapore would not be immune to global developments. But the government has always adopted a long-term orientation to our policies and programmes. Over the years, we have invested in building deep and broad-based capabilities in our ecosystem and nurturing a thriving digital ecosystem that anchors companies’ higher value functions.

Despite near-term challenges, Southeast Asia continues to be a growth market with many exciting future market opportunities. But to seize these opportunities, companies would need the right people, with the right skills and networks. Therefore, I encourage tech companies to take a longer-term view of the region and their manpower needs. Likewise, the government will do our part

partner them to strengthen our tech workforce ecosystem in Singapore.

Q: What is the government doing to help the tech industry and the affected tech professionals?

KH: Most workers from the I&C sector secure a job soon after retrenchment. Seven in 10 retrenched locals in the I&C sector were able to find another job within six months. Nonetheless, the Taskforce for Responsible Retrenchment and Employment Facilitation (RTF), comprising representatives from Workforce Singapore (WSG) and NTUC’s Employment and Employability Institute (e2i), actively reaches out to affected local employees to offer employment support. This includes information kits on job fairs, career advisory and coaching services.

We also help tech professionals to refresh their knowledge and skills, as well as guide employers to redesign jobs and upskill or reskill their tech workforce

support in the form of redeployment and customised on-the-job training to heavily impacted employees.

Q: How will the TechSkills Accelerator (TeSA) for Institute of Technical Education (ITE) and Polytechnics (TIP) Alliance potentially reshape the current tech landscape?

KH: The TIP Alliance is an important effort. The tech at the forefront of advocating change and improving lives and livelihoods. That is why the equip our graduates and ITE with opportunities, and contribute towards Singapore’s digital

Each year, ITE more than half of the overall intake for Information courses by Institutes

from being overly focused on academic qualifications, and give recognition to skills, experience, knowledge and less tangible aspects like attitude and teamwork. We also want to reinforce

“This may be an uncertain time for many tech professionals but we will do well to remember that the tech sector is fast changing

Board Matters:

Getting the Tech Agenda Right

Most interesting recent tech experience: Learning about prompt engineering

Last read: The New Map of Life by The Stanford Center on Longevity

Currently learning to play: “Les Chevaux de Bois” by Bizet (a piano duet with my mother)

A gadget or an app you can’t live without: Garmin watch Pet topic of the moment: Governance for Good Favourite way to relax: Travelling to off-the-beatenpath places like Rwanda and Greenland

In the past few months, barely a week went by without news of big tech doing yet another round of layoffs, or negative coverage on how tech professionals were “let go” abruptly and uninformed. One can’t help but wonder if these are the doings of techsavvy founders who are not always business savvy? And if a diverse and enlightened board of directors could have made a difference to this process? The IT Society speaks with Wong Su-Yen, Chairperson of Singapore Institute of Directors (SID) to find out.

Q: Question, SY: Su-Yen

Q: Do these layoffs signal the end of the tech boom?

SY: Definitely not. We need to have a view of technology that extends beyond big tech companies. Tech is pervasive –regardless of what industry you’re in. Whether it’s food and beverage or mining, it’s a fact that tech drives productivity and growth, and that companies will continue to invest in tech. The opportunity for technology to drive business transformation remains huge –and the outlook of the tech sector remains positive in the long run.

Q: How would you rate the way some of these tech companies handled the layoffs?

SY: There’s a spectrum – some companies have handled the layoff process exceptionally well while others have done so with a complete lack of empathy. This speaks volumes about the organisation’s leadership and culture, which is typically built over time and from the top, beginning with the board of directors. The board sets the tone in terms of organisational culture – how people are treated, whether people are perceived as assets, and so on – and layoffs are just one manifestation of this culture.

Leaders and boards would do well to prioritise organisational health and building a positive work culture, because this has become increasingly important to driving performance. Beyond fair remuneration, development opportunities, career mobility, the quality of leadership, and what’s it like to work in the organisation all matter. This means that companies with strong people practices don’t just gain an advantage in attracting and retaining the right talent. They motivate these talents to do their best work – thus helping the business to get ahead of competition.

WONG SU-YEN Chairperson, Singapore Institute of Directors

Q: How should tech workers who have been laid off approach their situation?

SY: Layoffs are never pleasant, but it’s important to come at this with the right mindset because a layoff could be a catalyst for something amazing. I know people who were laid off and in retrospect, recognised that it was the instigator for them to start a new business or move into a new field or learn a new skill. So I would encourage anyone who has been laid off to think of how you can make the most of the situation and hopefully, transform it into a new opportunity.

Q: Given the tech climate, should they be thinking of switching industries?

SY: While the prospects at big tech companies might not look so rosy right now, remember that every company needs tech and digital capabilities. In particular, there are lots of non-tech companies that need the expertise of tech workers. Take for example traditional industries like retail or manufacturing. They are going through massive transformation, which means they need a lot of help –and you can probably value-add in a significant way.

If you were previously from a big tech firm, you bring a different perspective – which can be very valuable to these industries where tech may be nascent. Starting with a clean sheet can be extremely fun, you’ll get to see a transformation project from

the design stage all the way to implementation – and you can make a difference. So I would recommend tech workers expand their radar in their job search rather than leave tech entirely.

Q: What’s the implication for board compositions in traditionally non-tech companies as more of them adopt tech and hire tech professionals?

SY: Conventionally, boards have tended to comprise directors from legal, financial, accounting and industry backgrounds. But now that companies are increasingly focused on technology – whether as a strategic opportunity or to manage risks like cyber threats – there is an urgent need to enhance the level of digital literacy for board directors.

To do this, there are two dimensions that need to be addressed. One is getting boards to recognise the importance of recruiting such talent for board roles and attracting professionals with relevant tech skills. This is the demand side. The other would be to enhance the supply side by preparing a pipeline of tech professionals who are ready to step into board director roles. Serving as a board director is quite different from being in an executive role. This is why SID and SCS have launched the SID-SCS Women in Tech Board Readiness Programme. The programme will help tech professionals develop the broad range of skills required as a For example, human

capital, risk, strategy, governance, director duties – basically the whole spectrum. The first run is starting in July and I’m heartened by the great interest so far.

Q: Given the great interest in ChatGPT recently, do you think AI can replace tech workers and board directors one day?

SY: We are still in the early days, but my view is that ChatGPT is going to be embedded in a lot of what we do over time. Which means we need to ask ourselves: What do we bring to the table? Let’s use AI for customer service as an example. ChatGPT can answer basic (and even complex) questions from customers. The question is, how do you layer on human centricity to optimise the user experience? That’s where tech professionals need to come in to blend tech with humanity.

It’s the same for board directors. ChatGPT is great at generating information and executing routine tasks such as taking board meeting minutes. However good leadership requires judgement and experience, often making decisions in situations where there is no clear path. ChatGPT can’t do that. Like tech professionals, board directors should look to combine man and machine, and recognise that while ChatGPT doesn’t replace us, it does change where we need to apply our focus moving forward. That said, I think ChatGPT is a tool that tech workers and board directors alike should learn how to use.

“Business models change – and will only change at a faster rate moving forward. As such, companies need diverse boards that can offer external perspectives and help to uncover blind spots in key areas such as the company’s human capital strategy, which is fundamental to its ability to execute on business strategy.”

Tech Beyond Tech: The Golden Age for Technology Professionals Is Just Starting

Recent headlines are filled with stories of disruption, sinking revenues, and workforce upheavals in the technology sector. Amidst this turmoil, it is tempting to imagine that the once-celebrated tech industry is losing steam, perhaps even its allure to professionals – with some professionals contemplating a career pivot. Yet, despite this momentary dip, there are reasons to believe that the future of tech careers is brighter than ever.

The tech industry’s prime time is just beginning to unfold. As tech professionals, we are also about to enter the new golden age in our fields – and those of us who are informed and agile will be wellpositioned to enjoy long, fulfilling careers. The following factors, among others, point to how we can make the most of these emerging opportunities.

WE ARE MERELY AT THE BEGINNING OF A TRULY REMARKABLE JOURNEY

In the broader context of technological progress, let’s remember that technology is in a constant state of evolution – spawning new industries, enterprises, and avenues for professionals to flex their skills.

Ubiquitous buzzwords such as artificial intelligence, the Internet of Things, cloud computing, and electric transportation are really only in their nascent stages. These burgeoning fields are on the cusp of meteoric growth, and companies navigating these waters need experienced specialists to guide their expansion. It is up to us – tech professionals – to understand and consistently refine our skills in tandem with these shifting landscapes.

TECH DOESN’T JUST UNLOCK OPPORTUNITIES IN TECH –BUT EVERY FIELD

The pervasive reach of technology extends far beyond the boundaries of what is traditionally deemed as the “tech” industry. Its omnipresence is revolutionising every aspect of the economy, creating novel jobs that demand data-driven decision-making and mastery of intricate tech tools. This trend is accelerating as firms in retail, manufacturing, transport, logistics, finance, healthcare, etc., adopt technology to enhance their products and services.

As a result, a number of trailblazing tech startups have recently emerged from diverse sectors. Some examples include Magic Spoon (food), Dollar Shave Club (personal care), Doctor Anywhere (medical), Ministry of Supply (apparel), Wealthfront (finance), and Morning Brew (publishing). Opportunities across this vast spectrum is abundant. That’s good news for tech professionals like us –successful tech careers are no longer limited to “Big Tech” companies.

WE ARE RIGHT AT THE HEART OF WHERE THE MOST EXCITING ACTIONS ARE

And that is not counting the fact that readers of The IT Society also enjoy the unique advantage of living in Asia, a region rapidly emerging as an economic and technological powerhouse. The success of this part of the world took off only in recent decades, but we have barely scratched the surface of its boundless potential. Some of the largest technology (and tech-savvy) companies are investing in the future of Asia and fostering a virtuous cycle of innovation here.

Singapore, strategically situated at the heart of Asia, benefits from the presence of both established multinational corporations as well as disruptive startups. This enables businesses here to remain attuned to emerging tech trends, leverage them to energise core sectors, and continuously generate new professional opportunities in urban farming, education, production, shipping logistics, finance, and other industries.

VLADYSLAV KOSHELYEV Member, SCS Product Marketing Lead, Meta Founder, The Koshelyev Company

2023 Tech Jobs Forecast: Tech Winter Edition

With big names like Google, Meta, Microsoft and Salesforce making the news for layoffs in recent months – has the tech winter truly cooled demand for tech talent? The IT Society takes a closer look at the numbers.

2

And despite layoffs, companies are still hiring.

72.8%

Despite the tech winter, salaries rose in 2022.

+15.62%

Blockchain Engineers

+10.63%

+11.73%

Mobile Engineers Software Engineers

+7.6%

of retrenched locals from Information and Communications sector found jobs within 6 months (2022) vacancy rate (2022 Q4)

8,200

vacancies in Information and Communications sector (2022 Q4)

6.8%

year-on-year growth in overall job postings

Top 5 Skills Gaps: Cloud computing Data analysis

AI/machine learning Data protection Cybersecurity

79% 1 in 5

of tech employers in Singapore report difficulty in finding needed talent

Top 5 Soft Skills in Demand: Critical thinking and analysis

Banking and Financial Services

Food and Beverage

Fast-moving Consumer Goods

Healthcare Manufacturing

64.1%

Sources:

SCS can help.

Digital credentialing and micro-certifications are our two key thrusts for 2023 – which means SCS members can look forward to more avenues of upskilling and reskilling while remaining in full employment.

Growth areas: Artificial intelligence

Cryptocurrency

Digital banking

E-commerce

organisations have trouble finding skilled tech talent globally of retrenched Information and Communications workers who found jobs in 2022 switched industries

• Channel NewsAsia, Commentary: Not just Big Tech - there are tech talent opportunities aplenty in ‘non-tech’ sectors, https://www.channelnewsasia.com/ commentary/tech-jobs-prospects-layoffs-singapore-skills-needed-3243196

• Channel NewsAsia, Tech talent still in demand in Singapore despite mass layoffs, say analysts, https://www.channelnewsasia.com/business/tech-talentlayoffs-workers-jobs-hiring-meta-twitter-3070876

• CNBC, Singapore’s tech salaries mostly jumped in 2022, new report shows, https://www.cnbc.com/2023/03/07/singapores-tech-salaries-mostly-jumped-in2022-new-report-shows.html

• Equinix, Equinix 2022 Global Tech Trends Survey, https://www.equinix.sg/resources/infopapers/equinix-tech-trends-survey?ls=Public%2520Relation s&lsd=22q4__--_/resources/infopapers/equinix-tech-trends-survey/_pr-equinix_pr-newswire_press-release__us-en_AMER_GTTS-2022-tech-skills_ awareness&utm_campaign=us-en__press-release_GTTS-2022-tech-skills_pr-equinix&utm_source=&utm_medium=press-release&utm_content=--_

• Manpower Group, Hiring Outlook in Singapore Remains Strong in Q1 2023 Amid Challenging Economic Climate, https://www.manpowergroup.com.sg/hubfs/ SG_MEOS%20Report_Q1%202023.pdf?hsLang=en-us

• Ministry of Manpower, Labour Market Report Fourth Quarter 2022, https://stats.mom.gov.sg/Pages/Labour-Market-Report-4Q-2022.aspx

• TechNode Global, SEEK: Tech jobs outpace Singapore’s overall job growth in 2022, demand for tech talent remains amidst layoffs, https://technode. global/2023/01/10/seek-tech-jobs-outpace-singapores-overall-job-growth-in-2022-demand-for-tech-talent-remains-amidst-layoffs/

‘Non-tech’ sectors are also snapping up tech talent.

But skills mismatch is common.

SCS Forges Ahead to Future-proof Tech Community

On the back of the Society’s 55th anniversary last November, SCS unveiled its Executive Council 2023/2024 at its Annual General Meeting (AGM) on 23 March 2023.

SCS President, Sam Liew said, “55 is a milestone – especially for a tech society where change is a constant. Our journey so far has been rich and eventful, thanks to the unwavering friendship and trust extended to us by our members, partners and volunteers, as well as the support from our Executive Council, Boards, committees, task forces, and the SCS secretariat.”

On the Society’s future direction, he said, “We may be celebrating our past achievements this year, but our sights and efforts are already directed towards the next 55 years. We are set to future-proof our tech professionals and future-ready our community for the digital economy.”

While 2022 marked the beginning of collaborations with new partners, SCS is set to embark on its two key thrusts for 2023 –Digital Credentialing and Micro-certifications. Poised to co-create a vibrant and robust tech ecosystem, SCS will continue facilitating the growth of SCS members.

Key Collaborations Forged in 2022

Collaborated with Singapore Institute of Directors (SID) to curate Women in Tech (WIT) Board Readiness Programme

Signed Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Singapore Institute of Technology (SIT) to collaborate on micro-certifications for working professionals

Partnered Institutes of Higher Learning (IHLs) to offer students AI Ethics & Governance Certificate (Associate) Programme and AI Literacy Programme on Human Centricity

Appointed as Skills Development Partner in collaboration with SkillsFuture Singapore (SSG) to drive skills development and recognition

Co-chaired TechSkills Accelerator (TeSA) for ITE and Polytechnics Alliance (TIP Alliance) that aims to create over 1,000 tech job opportunities for polytechnic and Institute of Technical Education (ITE) graduates

Partnered National Library Board (NLB) to run the monthly SCS Digital Experience @ The Library seminars to ready citizen for a Smart Nation

Council members elected at the SCS 56th Annual General Meeting.

First row (From left): Tancy Tan, Tan Teng Cheong (SCS Honorary Treasurer), Ong Whee Teck (SCS VicePresident), Sam Liew (SCS President), Han Chung Heng (SCS Vice-President), Lim Bee Kwan (SCS VicePresident), Goh Li-Li; Back row (From left): Kevin Koh, Ong Leong Seng, Jason Chen, Lum Seow Khun, Adrian Chye (SCS Honorary Secretary), Andy Lee, Andrew Chow; Not in photo: Khoong Hock Yun, Prof Miao Chun Yan, Lawrence Ng, Yeo Teck Guan

SCS Executive Council 2023/2024

President

Sam Liew, FSCS NCS Group

Vice-Presidents

Ong Whee Teck, FSCS

Ernest & Young Advisory

Han Chung Heng, FSCS Oracle

Lim Bee Kwan, FSCS Government Technology Agency

Honorary Secretary

Adrian Chye, FSCS Mediafreaks Digital

Honorary Treasurer

Tan Teng Cheong, FSCS BetterIDEAS

Council Members

Jason Chen, SMSCS IBM Ecosystem Asia Pacific

Andrew Chow, FSCS ST Engineering

Goh Li-Li, FSCS Singapore Telecommunications

Khoong Hock Yun, FSCS Tembusu Partners

Kevin Koh, FSCS Accenture

Andy Lee, FSCS Cisco

Lum Seow Khun, FSCS Microsoft

Prof Miao Chun Yan, FSCS Nanyang Technological University

Lawrence Ng, FSCS CrimsonLogic

Ong Leong Seng, MSCS Integrated Health Information Systems

Tancy Tan, MSCS

The Hongkong and Shanghai Banking Corporation

Yeo Teck Guan, FSCS Singapore Pools

Co-opted Members

Edward Bizaoui, MSCS

J.P. Morgan

Henry Chang, SMSCS Government Technology Agency

BG Edward Chen, MSCS Ministry of Defence

Chia Wee Luen, MSCS ServiceNow

Mohamed Hardi, MSCS National Heritage Board

Bruce Liang, FSCS Sea

Sherie Ng, MSCS Google Asia Pacific

Amit Shanker, MSCS

Cognizant

Siew Yim Cheng, FSCS ComfortDelgro

Tan Soon Keow, MSCS Nanyang Polytechnic

Tony Tay, FSCS AgileAlgo

Honorary Legal Advisors

Dr Toh See Kiat, FSCS

Goodwins Law Corporation

Jeffrey Lim, SMSCS

Joyce A. Tan & Partners LLC

Newly conferred Fellows. From left: Aaron Tan Dani, Andy Lee, Vivian Tay, Mark Lim, James Tan, Kang Choon Seng, Sam Liew (SCS President), Richard Koh, Goh Li-Li, Jeffrey Tan, Kevin Koh; Not in photo: Grace Ho, Khoo Mui Kheng, Kok Ping Soon, Koo Seng Meng, Ng Wee Wei, Sandip Gupta, Tan Lee Chew

SCS Welcomes 17 Outstanding Members as SCS Fellows

“SCS plays a crucial role in bridging the industry with government bodies to enable better policies and Singapore’s competitive advantage in the global arena. I am privileged to be conferred as an SCS Fellow.”

Seventeen members who have made notable contributions to SCS and influenced the tech industry positively in their areas of expertise and influence were conferred the prestigious title of SCS Fellow at the SCS 56th Annual General Meeting. Heartiest congratulations to our newly conferred Fellows!

“Thank you SCS for recognising my contributions! It is humbling to know that I am building on the foundations of so many before me. I am motivated to continue serving and advancing society for generations to come.”

– Mark Lim

“SCS rallies tech professionals from tech and non-tech industries, the public sector, and educational institutions to boost Singapore’s standing as a digital economy leader. I am deeply honoured to be part of this endeavour.”

– James Tan

“Collaboration is key to the tech community’s growth. As we move into a digital world, I hope to leverage the collective network of the SCS community to pay it forward and support businesses and communities in need.”

– Andy

Lee

“Singapore’s ambition paves the way for tech to remain pivotal to our economy. Together with SCS leaders, I look forward to being a positive influence in encouraging and developing future generations of tech talent.”

– Ng Wee Wei

“SCS is where thought leadership is sought, ideation celebrated, competency built and game-changing mindset shifts encouraged. I hope more can join our community as we share our mission with likeminded professionals and tech enthusiasts.”

– Tan Lee Chew

Goh Li-Li Vice-President, Singtel

Kok Ping Soon Chief Executive, GovTech

Aaron Tan Dani Chief Architect, ATD Solution

Grace Ho Chief Executive, UPGRAIN Foods

Koo Seng Meng Senior Deputy Director, AI Singapore

James Tan Managing Director, Maven Consultancy

Kang Choon Seng Andy Lee Managing Director, Cisco

Jeffrey Tan

Khoo Mui Kheng Chief Information Officer, HDB

Mark Lim Managing Director, Temasek

Tan Lee Chew President, ST Engineering

Kevin Koh Managing Director, Accenture

Ng Wee Wei Senior Managing Director, Accenture

Vivian Tay Senior Vice-President, NEC

Richard Koh Vice-President, Kong Inc

Sandip Gupta Managing Director, Accenture

– Goh Li-Li

Career Mentors Help Tech Students and Professionals Rise in their Career

Amidst the tech winter and global slowdown, what does the future hold for tech professionals? How can experienced professionals fortify workforce resiliency and extend their career runways, and how do young graduates find their footing in the early stages of their career?

These were some of the burning issues tackled at the very first SCS event of the year held on 4 January 2023 organised by the Career Mentoring Committee. Over 100 professionals and students attended the mentoring session, where Guest-of-Honour Mr Zaqy Mohamad, Senior Minister of State for Manpower and Defence, shared about his career journey, including how he entered politics.

Besides learning how to pave their career growth, attendees also gained insights from SCS ICT mentors who are industry veterans in specialised areas such as IT and Digital, Cybersecurity, Data and artificial intelligence (AI), and Cloud/Edge Computing. The mentors shared personal experiences of navigating their career journeys, as well as imparted tips on how to prepare for the professional journey and have meaningful conversations on upskilling and staying relevant in their roles. The session ended on a high note with attendees networking and getting to know one other.

Mr Zaqy Mohamad (right), Senior Minister of State for Manpower and Defence sharing his career journey.

The breakout sessions such as this provided more up-close and personal exchange.

Moving forward for a sustainable world

Building new possibilities by connecting people, technology and ideas, creating a more sustainable world where anyone can advance their dreams.

We call this ‘Fujitsu Uvance’.

By bringing together our integration capabilities and cutting-edge technologies, we drive your success. It is the business focus we are bringing to technology and cross-industry functions.

Through Fujitsu Uvance, we are committed to transforming the world into a place where people can live their lives, enjoying prosperity and peace of mind.

Empowering each other to make the world more sustainable. Visit our website to learn more.

www.fujitsu.com/global

© Fujitsu 2022 | 8360-16

At the SCS Women in Tech (WIT) Chapter’s “Champion Change for a Better Future” seminar on 20 February 2023, SCS and the Singapore Institute of Directors (SID) launched a specially curated Women in Tech Board Readiness Programme. This follows the agreement inked in September 2022 to collaborate on increasing the diversity and digital quotient of boards for female tech professionals and leaders.

The programme will build a robust pipeline of board-ready women in technology and encourage more women professionals to take up board appointments – directly addressing the issue of board diversity both in terms of gender and functional expertise.

SCS and SID Launch Board Readiness Programme for Women in Tech

Supported by Infocomm Media Development Authority (IMDA) and backed by over 20 leading professional firms in key industries, this oneyear programme focuses on building competencies for board director roles through knowledge acquisition and skills training.

The knowledge partners for Women in Tech Board Readiness Programme include Allen & Gledhill, AON, Bain & Company, Boston Consulting Group, Deloitte, Egon Zehnder, ERM, EY, Heidrick & Struggles, Kearney, KPMG, Lee & Lee, Mercer, McKinsey, NCS, PwC, Rajah & Tann, Russell Reynolds Associates, Teneo, Willis Towers Watson and Wong Partnership.

CALLING ALL WOMEN IN TECH!

Our inaugural Women in Tech Board Readiness Programme is commencing on 28 July 2023!

If you are an aspiring director who is keen to serve on boards, you don’t want to miss this.

At the launch of SCS-SID Women in Tech Board Readiness Programme. From left: Prof Lim Sun Sun (SCS WIT Chapter VP), Lee Wan Sie (IMDA Director), Dr Ong Chen Hui (IMDA ACE), Sam Liew (SCS President), Tan Lee Chew (SCS WIT Chapter President), Wong Su-Yen (SID Governing Council Chairperson), Terence Quek (SID CEO), Kevin O’Leary (J.P. Morgan MD & APAC Regional CISO) and Elsie Tan (AWS Country Manager).

The launch of the Women in Tech Board Readiness Programme was announced by Senior Minister of State for Communications and Information, Mr Tan Kiat How.

Library Goers Met “Archie” and “Florence” at the Inaugural Session of SCS Digital Experience @ The Library

Fired or Fired Up: Your Choice

By Francesca Siow

Recently, a theme song has been circulating in my head. Hint: It goes in tune with the spate of tech layoffs.

If you haven’t guessed it, it is “Another one bites the dust” by Queen. It was one of Frankie’s – my brother – and my favourite songs growing up. Except that it is bittersweet to be hearing it at a time like this.

ALL DOOM AND GLOOM

You’ll know by now that Frankie and I are both in tech, except that Frankie is the boss – the one that fires people, while I am the employee – the one whose job is on the line. But during these times when the industry is undergoing a shake-up, we are both impacted.

We could be fired. Frankie could lose his investor funds, his business and his

job. Likewise, I could lose my job. So stressful!

NO DOOM BUT SOME GLOOM

Wait a minute (I don’t know about Frankie) – but if I am fired, doesn’t that also mean that I can finally go “tear apart” ChatGPT. That’ll be endless hours of fun playing with one of the newest toys in the generative artificial intelligence (AI) world. Who knows, I might even come up with my very own version of CodeGPT or PlayGPT, etc. (If that happens, I promise you’ll hear it here first!)

Truth is – I love my job and the tech industry. The constant chatter about new ideas and new possibilities excites me. So the thought of me being fired is sad. After all, I pour my heart and mind into my work. And I will miss the AI and people I work with. But I guess leaving my job doesn’t also mean that I have to

leave the industry too. I can stay in tech – whether it’s to do the same thing or something completely different.

ALL GROOMED AND BLOOM

And while we are at that, it’ll be the perfect opportunity for me to take a well-deserved break – maybe learn a new programming language, sign up for SCS micro-credentials, try my hand at setting up my very own smart home. There are easily 10 or more things I’ll love to do which I don’t currently have the time or mind space for.

What’s after the break, you’ll ask. Of course, I’ll be refreshed, possibly levelled up in skills, and raring to go. But more importantly, I know I will still be in tech – because this is where I get fired up. I am pretty sure Frankie feels the same way – what with his evergreen ambition to set up a tech bonfire in the North Pole. What about you?