Technology's role in Covid-19 battle

IBM

LAI Wai Hang, a 19-year-old student from ITE East, is learning about AI and blockchain during the circuit breaker period from the comfort of his home.

This is made possible by IBM's Open P-Tech, a digital learning platform focused on workplace learning and digital skills primarily aimed at students aged 14-20 years old.

It offers free training in technologies such as AI and cybersecurity, and is currently used in 80 countries with nearly 31,000 users registered to date. Singapore is the first in Asean to launch it this year on May 4.

"As the pandemic accelerates digital transformation, new ways of learning must keep pace if we are to equip all young people with skills relevant to the digital era and marketplace," said Ginni Rometty, IBM executive chairman.

"Open P-Tech is a free platform designed to provide relevant workplace skills to anyone in the world so they can be successful in this digital era," she added.

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The P-Tech (Pathways in Technology Early College High School) programme was launched in 2011 and brought to Singapore in 2018, with 42 students from the School of Electronics-Infocomm Technology at ITE forming the first cohort.

Its extension, Open P-Tech, was in the works to be launched in Q3 2020. However, the team brought forward the launch date due to Covid-19, and the first registered batch of students was the existing P-Tech students from the ITE. The content is curated and tailored by a team of instructional designers, former educators, and subject-matter experts. Organisations and companies such as ISTE (International Society for Technology in Education), NAF, and the University of Oxford Mindfulness Centre were also involved.

Nisagon Khongphaitoon, IBM CSR leader, Asia Pacific, said IBM believes that companies bringing advanced technologies to the market have a responsibility to prepare students and workers for the way those technologies will shape jobs and the nature of work.

"Open P-Tech is unlike other offerings in the marketplace, and our goal is to have it used by a growing number of students and teachers worldwide," she added.

Covid-19 has presented an unprecedented global challenge and while measures have been taken to protect its employees, IBM also wants to do its part for the community at large.

Ms Khongphaitoon said: "We are marshalling our resources and bringing together the right communities of experts, which include scientists, developers, and governments, to work together and manage through the Covid-19 outbreak with what we do best - applying data, knowledge, computing power and insights to solve difficult problems.

Lim Chwee Seng, deputy principal, ITE College West, said: "The launch of Open P-Tech is indeed timely and appropriate in the current Covid-19 pandemic . . .

"All these learning opportunities offered through Open P-Tech will better equip the students for the post-Covid-19 era where 'business as usual' may not be the norm anymore".

Four of five people surveyed say corporations should prioritise purpose as much as profit, according to IBM's Global Purpose Study, conducted in November 2019 by Morning Consult.

"Corporate social responsibility was not always the main focus of business leaders. Channel some profits into philanthropy, it was thought, and you've checked the CSR box to do some marketing. Those days are long gone," said Guillermo Miranda, vice-president and global head, IBM Corporate Citizenship.

Ms Khongphaitoon said that IBM believes in the importance of collaboration across companies and industries when doing good.

"For example, P-Tech in Singapore has more than 10 industry partners, which also means that our P-Tech students have the opportunity to be exposed to several reputable companies and industries as they start thinking about their future career paths . . . The Company of Good team has enabled us to grow our list of industry partners by promoting our programmes using their platforms and communities," she added.

American Express

WHAT is second nature to someone after years of work experience may be invaluable nuggets of information for charities that are small and need support.

That is what American Express staff volunteer Beejal Sonigra had learnt after volunteering since January 2020 through the Amex's Serve2Gether colleague network.

The senior manager of digital acquisition said that working for an organisation which is constantly looking into the needs of others is important. "This sets the narrative for the whole company - one that is looking out for others - and the quality of people who work there," she added.

Serve2Gether colleague network was a ground-up initiative established about 10 years ago. Last year, the group expanded its community service activities with the launch of the global online matching platform, Serve2Gether Consulting+, where Amex staff can volunteer virtually to help non-profit organisations with their work .

American Express country manager, Singapore, Ho Yat-Wai, said: "Through the Serve2Gether Consulting+ programme, non-profit partners can gain access to our colleagues' skills by submitting their projects through the online platform requesting for marketing, Web development, operations, strategy, and other support . . .

"By volunteering, colleagues are supporting these partners' growth and enabling them to have a greater social good impact. Our colleagues' participation is done virtually which gives them more flexibility."

The programme is available for non-profit organisations around the world and Amex's partner, Catchafire, runs the platform and has a team that coordinates the onboarding process.

Since the global launch, more than 2,000 staff have registered on the Serve2Gether Consulting+ programme, and contributed more than US$300,000 in value to the non-profit organisations.

Mr Ho said: "At American Express, we are always keen to develop new digital capabilities to improve existing processes and enhance the way we work, and one of our key principles is backing the communities where our customers and colleagues live and work".

The country manager added that the platform allows the staff to offer their professional skills, and provides another avenue of giving back while offering flexibility and convenience especially for those who do shift work. "Following the success of the platform in the US, we are looking to do the same in Singapore. We are actively working with organisations such as National Volunteer & Philanthropy Centre's Company of Good to identify and onboard non-profits so that they can use our platform and set themselves up to achieve their objectives with the help of our colleagues", said Mr Ho.

In 2019, the multinational financial services corporation had a 46 per cent increase in volunteers, and a 60 per cent increase in volunteer hours from 2018. The company recently onboarded its first two local non-profit partners, and is partnering LinkedIn to mentor youths who are entering the job market during this unprecedented period, via virtual coaching sessions.

Mr Ho said that such partnerships enable meaningful, long-term programmes to be executed.

"We strongly believe that providing backing to the communities where our customers and colleagues live, and work is important as strong communities enable people and businesses to thrive . . . During this circuit breaker period and with safe distancing here to stay, we are doubling down to onboard as many non-profit organisations onto our Serve2Gether Consulting+ portal so that we can continue supporting our community virtually," he added.

Lee Ming Cong, facilities' manager at Amex, said: " I have been volunteering since I joined American Express in Nov 2013 through the Serve2Gether colleague network ... It made me realise that things that might not be significant to us, holds a different meaning to others."

LinkedIn

THE geographical distance of 800km is not stopping Shuhool Viran Bhat from seeking career advice with LinkedIn staff Shilpa Shetty.

The graduate of Goa Institute of Management in India is an aspiring brand marketer and wanted to find out how he can pursue his career goals even after the coronavirus from Ms Shetty, marketing manager, LinkedIn Talent Solutions, in Mumbai.

The programme, LinkedIn Coaches, was established in 2018 and is part of the company's vision to create economic opportunity for every member of the global workforce.

Olivier Legrand, managing director, Asia Pacific, LinkedIn, said: "LinkedIn Coaches is one way we are empowering job seekers facing barriers to grow their careers and expand their networks through career conversations and LinkedIn platform training . . . We have long-standing programmes that offer our employees a chance to volunteer to help the community."

One such long-standing initiative of LinkedIn is the Recruiting for Good programme, where organisations are connected with potential talent. It is an initiative of LinkedIn Social Impact, and aims to help non-profits find candidates to fill full time and volunteer positions.

In light of the pandemic, the programme was scaled up and extended to support organisations at the frontlines of the Covid-19 response.

Mr Legrand said: "The pilot programme was launched in March 2020. To date, there are more than 100 LinkedIn recruiters and talent professionals working to help source and screen talent for these organisations. And, to connect volunteers to these opportunities, we developed a volunteer microsite where interested parties can find and sign up for the right opportunities with non-profits."

As of date, the programme has supported over 50 organisations and made over 55 offers for full time and volunteer positions. One of these organisations is Doctor On Demand, a telehealth provider looking to fill critical medical and behavioural health roles.

The managing director said that as many frontline organisations, which include healthcare, warehousing and freight delivery services, had urgent hiring needs to fill, LinkedIn is offering free job postings to these organisations till June 30.

The advent of the coronavirus had also spurred the company to set up a resource hub, which is a microsite featuring insights and resources to help professionals and organisations, especially small to medium businesses who are seeking to adapt and stay afloat, cope with the impact of the coronavirus.

Access to over 275 LinkedIn Learning courses have also been made free. These include courses that were produced prior to the coronavirus, but are particularly relevant now for jobseekers, professionals and small-to-medium businesses.

Mr Legrand said: "During this time, we've moved into the digital space, for business meetings, networking and online learning, as well as to seek and give help. Technology has definitely enabled these functions. We are working to ensure the resources are online for those who need it. Aside from connecting organisations to professionals with the necessary skills, we have also put out resources to help professionals.

"For example, we have seen an increase in professionals taking up LinkedIn Learning content to help themselves navigate the impact of Covid-19 and stay relevant to the workforce. In March and April 2020, we have seen a 144 per cent increase in time spent learning as compared to January and February."

Mr Legrand said that it is encouraging to see people turning to both their personal and professional networks to give support, and how Singaporeans are supporting the community in their own capacity.

For example, LinkedIn partners NVPC to communicate its programmes to serve non-profit members under them.

Edric Lin, account director, Enterprise & Key Accounts, Talent & Learning Solutions, LinkedIn, said: "Volunteering has given me a wider perspective of communities that are in need of help; and there are many groups out there that could do with extra support and guidance."