DBS launches in-house Future Tech Academy to equip its technology workforce with skills for the future

07/01/2021News

Dubbed the DBS Future Tech Academy, the training institute will cover three technology disciplines for a start – (1) Site Reliability Engineering or SRE; (2) Data Processing and Analytics; and (3) Application Security. DBS will evaluate more programmes to cover other key technology domains in the next twelve months.

Digital Reinvention
04Nov2020
04/11/2020Study

DBS Bank: An all-encompassing innovation leader

The DBS Future Tech Academy aims to build a learning ecosystem that incorporates a blended pedagogical approach tapping on both external experts as well as internally developed content and certifications. DBS believes that this will enable employees to acquire the latest technology skillsets from external industry experts and immediately apply their new skills to relevant technology projects being rolled out by the bank.

To complement the training programmes offered by the DBS Future Tech Academy, the bank’s technologists will also be granted complementary access to technology-focused digital learning libraries such as O’Reilly and Pluralsight. This will enable the bank’s technologists to pick up salient skills and knowledge in a just-in-time manner.

Jimmy Ng, Group Chief Information Officer, DBS, said, “DBS is always looking for innovative ways to maximise the potential of existing and emerging technologies to deliver differentiated and exceptional services to our customers. To do that, we need to ensure that our technologists are equipped with the right skills so that we can continue delivering joyful banking experiences. Having our own DBS Future Tech Academy gives us the agility to adapt our training curricula according the bank’s needs and enables us to stay ahead of the massive changes around us.”

At the same time, DBS is doubling down on its commitment to help grow the technology talent pool in Singapore by sponsoring the training of around 200 Singaporeans who are currently undergoing traineeships with the bank. The trainees will go through skills certification programmes offered by the DBS Future Tech Academy and will also be given free access to the digital learning libraries. By equipping the trainees with foundational skills in growth technology areas, DBS hopes to encourage them to pursue a longer-term career in technology regardless of whether they stay on with the bank after their traineeships.

Ng added that as a purpose-driven organisation, DBS is contributing to the national Smart Nation agenda by helping to groom a pool of young Singaporean technologists prepared for the future. “With digital trends and adoption set to accelerate in the next normal, technology will continue to be a core driver of change in the way we live, work, and play. Growing the pool of technology talent in Singapore will place the country in good stead as we respond to the disruptions ahead.”

Vanessa Leo, who joined DBS under the SGUnited Traineeship Programme in September 2020 after graduating from Nanyang Technological University, is one such beneficiary of the DBS Future Tech Academy’s training programmes. “When I joined DBS, I did not expect to be able to go through the same training and certification programmes as full-time employees. I am grateful for these learning opportunities as they are helping me lay a strong foundation for a technology career in the banking and finance industry.” With the training provided by the DBS Future Tech Academy and encouragement from her managers, Vanessa has since successfully joined the bank’s Skill Enhancement Education & Development (SEED) Programme, which grooms young graduates for technology careers in roles such as development, DevOps and cybersecurity.

Related news & insights

31/03/2025Interview

At work with Greg Krasnov

Greg Krasnov is the Founder of Tonik, the first neobank in the Philippines. In a chat with Qorus’ Boris Plantier,...

SME Banking
31/03/2025News

Qonto transforms invoice collection with AI

Qonto, the financial management platform for European SMEs, has launched Invoice Operator, an AI-driven solution to streamline invoice collection. Developed...

Insurance
24/03/2025News

Hanwha Life fuels AI innovation in Vietnam through Informatics Olympiad sponsorship

Hanwha Life is reinforcing its commitment to technological innovation and talent development in Vietnam by sponsoring the 6th Vietnam Informatics...

SME Banking
21/03/2025Video

Raiffeisen Bank International: Inclusive sustainable banking for SMEs

Katharina Neugebauer, Senior Sustainable Finance Advisor for Group Structured Finance & Investment Banking at Raiffeisen Bank International, explains how the...

Insurance
20/03/2025Article

Vote now to decide on the 2025 Innovation in Insurance Awards winners!

Discover this year’s nominees and vote!

Insurance
17/03/2025Interview

At work with Bernardino Gómez Aritmendi

Bernardino Gómez Aritmendi, CEO of Bansabadell Vida, Bansabadell Seguros Generales and Bansabadell Pensiones, shares his insights and experience in a...

17/03/2025News

CaixaBank to train over 30,000 employees in senior customer service

CaixaBank has announced a large-scale training initiative to enhance customer service for elderly clients. More than 30,000 employees will undergo...

Digital Reinvention
14/03/2025News

Commonwealth Bank expands AI partnership with Anthropic

This collaboration is set to enhance CBA’s AI capabilities, aiming to improve customer experiences while maintaining a strong focus on...