3upskillingSingapore based data analytics consultancy Sparkline once again joins forces with Google and the Infocomm Development Authority (IDA) to equip fresh graduates with high in demand data analytics skills as part of the Squared Data & Analytics Programme. Sparkline is specialized in making businesses smarter, more efficient and profitable, by analysing a company’s online and mobile data to extract insights that improve marketing, merchandising and business operations.


Part of the Company-Led Training (CLT) Programme initiated by the Infocomm Development Authority (IDA) of Singapore, the Squared Data & Analytics Programme supports the industry in recruiting, mentoring and training entrant infocomm professionals in fast-growing technologies such as data and analytics; and mobile application development. From July 2015 to February 2016, the Squared Data & Analytics Programme will provide again 25 Singaporean graduates with intensive training in analytics, and give them the opportunity to work within Singapore media agencies, creative agencies and companies in the finance, travel and telco sectors to gain hands-on experience. They will also receive mentoring from top industry talent throughout the programme.

Launched in July 2014, Sparkline will facilitate again the Data Architecture and Data Analytics training modules for the Squared Data & Analytics Programme that recently celebrated all 20 participants of the inaugural programme securing permanent positions, 17 of those within the industry.

Joanna Flint, Country Director, Google Singapore, for instance, affirms that data and analytics represent immense possibilities today for companies looking for global growth. ”Following the success of the programme last year, we're pleased to be collaborating again with the IDA and Sparkline on the Squared Data and Analytics Programme, to help grow the Singaporean talent pool in this sector," she said.

Commenting on the Programme, recent successful participant Khairul Anwar, who now works full-time at Sparkline as a Data Analyst, said: “I knew that analytics was the career path that I want to follow, hence the Squared Programme was a natural fit for me. I found it a perfect opportunity to build a network with other like-minded young professionals through the collective experience we shared, as well as getting to interact with a lot of key stakeholders in the industry.”

According to the global Harvey Nash 2015 CIO Survey in association with KPMG, one of the largest surveys of IT leadership in the world, digital innovation is dominating the agenda of technology leaders, and many companies in the Asia-Pacific region are struggling to manage it. According to the survey, 71% of Chief Information Officers in the region believe a skills shortage is preventing their organization from keeping up with the pace of change, 12% higher than the global average.

Vinoaj Vijeyakumaar, Sparkline Managing Partner, confirms the study results, staying, “Demand for analytics talent is at an all time high and is expected to continue to grow. As the CIO survey shows, there is a real concern that if this skills gap is not plugged, then the region will suffer in terms of innovation and competitive advantage.  As a company, Sparkline has its roots in Singapore with many clients across Asia, and we believe we therefore have a responsibility to play our part in helping to equip the next generation of IT experts with the skills and experience they need to keep this region at the forefront of the data revolution.”

Steve Leonard, Executive Deputy Chairman of IDA explains, "Analysis and interpretation of data in huge quantities is one of the key steps to help us build Singapore as the Smart Nation.  We need to create new ways to handle the needs of an ageing population in increasingly dense urban environments around the world. We are happy to work with the industry to recruit, train, mentor and employ great analytics professionals in some of the most exciting jobs of the future.”

Since developing smarter customer service approaches for business operations around data is Sparkline’s field of expertise, the new batch of young graduates can expect to be trained by the industry’s best.

By MediaBUZZ