SINGAPORE -�Media
OutReach�- 14 November 2018 -�Kaplan Learning Institute (KLI), one of
Singapore's leading corporate training and financial literacy provider, and IBM
(NYSE), today officially announced the launch of the IBM Skills Academy @
Kaplan. The collaboration sees KLI adopting IBM's worldwide premier training
and certification initiative to train those keen to bridge their digital skills
gap and stand out from the competition.

From left to right:�

- Mr Howie Lau, Chief Industry Development Officer, IMDA�

- Hwee Lee Yeo, Skills Programme Lead, IBM ASEAN and Skills Academy and University Programme Lead�

- Associate Professor Rhys Johnson, Chief Operating Officer & Provost, Kaplan Singapore�

- Ms Ang Li May, Deputy CEO, e2i

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IBM Skills Academy @ Kaplan will
offer eight courses in areas such as Blockchain & Big Data, to equip
students with in-demand technical skills, and enable them to meet industry's requirements
for new skills and expertise. Upon completion of each course, students will
receive an industry-recognised IBM Digital Badge certifying their competence.

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Supported by the Infocomm Media
Development Authority of Singapore (IMDA) and the Employment and Employability
Institute (e2i), IBM Skills Academy @ Kaplan seeks to answer the workforce
needs of today's digital economy by transforming students into industry-focused
professionals with face-to-face training in the application of latest infocomm
technologies and tools.

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Combining IBM's sophisticated
digital learning assets with KLI's skilled training resources, this
collaboration brings about an unparalleled blend of learning and ensures
industry-relevant training in areas of high demand such as Information and
Communications Technology (ICT).

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This collaboration is aligned with
the aim of Techskills Accelerator (TeSA). TeSA -- a national initiative driven
by IMDA -- works toward building and developing a skilled ICT workforce for the
Singapore economy.

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Eligible trainees taking up
courses at IBM Skills Academy @ Kaplan, which are supported through TeSA's Critical
Infocomm Technology Resource Programme Plus (CITREP+), may enjoy course fee
support. In addition, NTUC members can enjoy further
course fee subsidy under the Union Training Assistance Programme (UTAP),
supported by the NTUC-Education and Training Fund (NETF) and administered by
the Employment and Employability Institute (e2i).

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Abraham Thomas, Managing Director
of IBM Singapore, says "The
urgent need for qualified and experienced IT talent is a global phenomenon and
one that IBM and Kaplan have been keenly aware. It gives us great pleasure to
be able to put into practice a core collaboration with IMDA, Kaplan Learning
Institute and IBM to upskill students with IBM Skills Academy @ Kaplan. The
unique advantage of world-class academic learning outcomes, priceless industry
knowledge and experience from one of the largest technology companies of the
world, coupled with the deep training skills of Kaplan will reap deep rewards
for the country and its future."

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Associate
Professor Rhys Johnson, Chief Operating Officer and Provost of Kaplan Singapore,
asserts, "We are pleased to be collaborating with IBM,
who has actively contributed in the areas of education, research and the
transfer of technology to aid in upgrading the IT skills and resources of
Singapore. The collaboration will provide more opportunities for individuals to
stay relevant, reiterating Kaplan as a Lifelong Integrated Learning Partner in
offering both academic programmes for higher learning as well as professional
certifications and training courses for skills development. With available
funding through CITREP+ and UTAP, the courses of the IBM Skills Academy @
Kaplan are made available to more individuals to upskill and specialise in the
areas of ICT."

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Howie Lau, Chief Industry Development Officer, Infocomm Media
Development Authority (IMDA), shared, "ICT professionals with deep tech
skills such as blockchain and data analytics are in strong demand especially
with the rapid digital transformation of industries and businesses. As such, we
welcome the launch of IBM Skills Academy @ Kaplan, which will provide a variety
of training courses for local aspiring tech professionals in Singapore.�Supported
under TechSkills Accelerator (TeSA), such courses in fields like artificial
intelligence and cloud computing are in line with our aim to prepare our
workforce for the new digital economy."

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Vicky Wong, deputy CEO of e2i, comments:

"As our
economy enters Industry 4.0 and Singapore is increasingly powered by digital
innovation, there is a need for our workers to be up-to-date with in-demand
technological skillsets. By supporting these courses, we hope that our
workforce will have easier access to these skills upgrades and steadily move
towards becoming Worker 4.0 to thrive in the digital era."

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For more information on IBM
Skills Academy @ Kaplan, visit http://www.kaplan.com.sg/courses/ibm-skills-academy/.

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