DBS Bank and SkillsFuture Singapore (SSG) have announced a new two-year partnership to help small and medium enterprises (SMEs) develop sustainability skills.

The partnership will see DBS enhance its SME Skills Booster Programme to support SMEs on these skills. The courses will be offered under the DBS BusinessClass Academy and its partners.

SMEs will also be able to take additional courses on banking and finance, digital transformation, and cyber wellness. Additionally, they can also access DBS’ ESG Ready initiative to get help meeting sustainability standards.

The partnership builds on DBS’ successful first year as a SkillsFuture Queen Bee. Since its appointment in July 2022, over 130 employees from some 80 SMEs have been trained in areas such as digitalisation and workplace learning.

The feedback from companies was said to have been overwhelmingly positive, with about 97% of survey respondents saying that they achieved their objectives of knowledge building and skills acquisition after completing the courses.

Tan Kok Yam, Chief Executive of SSG said,

“All enterprises will increasingly need to address ESG considerations. New capabilities are required for ESG accounting, and for implementing sustainable business practices.

 

It is thus very timely for DBS and SSG to refresh our partnership, to better support SMEs in building a skilled workforce that can ride the green transition and help to achieve our Singapore Green Plan 2030.”

Koh Kar Siong, Group Head of Corporate and SME Banking, Institutional Banking at DBS said,

“SMEs account for 99% of all enterprises2 in Singapore, and their ability to embrace sustainability will be key to creating a sustainable future here and in the region.

 

This is why helping companies learn and upskill in the sustainability space is a key priority for DBS, and we are honoured to be working with SSG again to help deliver the SME Skills Booster Programme for another two years.”