“We cannot prevent AI from impacting businesses and jobs. But we can help everyone who’s willing to adapt and find new relevance. This is how we can move forward together as a nation and thrive in the age of AI,” affirmed Minister Josephine Teo.
The Infocomm Media Development Authority (IMDA) is expanding its TechSkills Accelerator (TeSA) initiative to offer almost 2,000 job and training opportunities for fresh graduates and mid-career professionals looking to enter or transition into the technology sector.
Announced by Josephine Teo, Minister for Digital Development and Information, at the Singapore Computer Society (SCS) Tech3 Forum 2026 on 20 August, the opportunities have been developed with more than 20 industry partners, including Accenture, Microsoft, NCS, and NTUC LearningHub.
The place-and-train opportunities will cover in-demand roles in AI and data, cybersecurity, and software engineering. Participants will be hired from the outset, before undergoing structured instructor-led training and on-the-job learning.
They will gain practical experience in areas such as developing AI-enabled applications, integrating enterprise systems and supporting digital transformation projects across sectors including finance, healthcare, logistics and technology. Participants will also receive mentorship from experienced tech practitioners and have the opportunity to attain industry-recognised certifications.
“Some fresh graduates are finding it harder to get their first break. Mid-career professionals who want to move into new roles may also face difficulties,” Minister Teo said in her opening address.
“To help them build new skills and experience, IMDA therefore worked with more than 20 partners including Accenture, Microsoft, NCS, and NTUC LearningHub to curate almost 2,000 job and training opportunities.”
She noted that the roles were intended to help participants build careers in areas where demand continues to grow. “These opportunities are intended to help fresh graduates and mid-career professionals move into roles in AI and data, cybersecurity, and software engineering, where our manpower needs are still growing,” she said.
Building AI fluency in the legal profession
IMDA has also launched two AI fluency programmes for legal professionals in partnership with the Singapore Academy of Law (SAL) and the Singapore Corporate Counsel Association (SCCA).
Developed under the National AI Impact Programme (NAIIP), AIxLegal by SAL and AIxLegal by SCCA aim to help legal professionals build practical and responsible AI capabilities over the next three years.
The two programmes are tailored to the different needs of lawyers in practice and in-house legal teams.
AIxLegal by SAL is designed for practising lawyers. The goal is to equip them to use AI across common legal workflows, including research, drafting, and case analysis, while helping them understand the limitations and risks of legal AI tools.
AIxLegal by SCCA is aimed at in-house counsel and allied legal professionals. Its training focuses on corporate legal workflows, including contract management, document management and legal research.
Both programmes will combine structured training with hands-on learning in legal practice workflows. Learners will also have access to practitioner-led sharing sessions, peer learning opportunities, and dedicated learning communities.
“Keeping people relevant does not mean turning everyone into an AI engineer. But we also cannot avoid learning to use AI effectively,” Minister Teo highlighted.
She added that domain expertise, judgement, and creativity would remain essential as AI becomes more widely used at work. “People will be even more relevant if they can use AI effectively to add value to their employers and their clients,” she added.
Yeong Zee Kin, Chief Executive, SAL, said the programme would help lawyers go beyond general-purpose AI tools and apply legal AI more effectively in practice.
“AI is changing the legal landscape, and, if harnessed well, can improve the delivery of legal services,” he said. “Our priority is to equip lawyers with the skills and confidence to use legal AI tools well, understand their limitations and risks, and exercise the professional judgment needed to provide sound counsel while upholding high ethical standards.”
Bryan Yeo, Chief Executive Officer, SCCA, added that AI could help in-house counsel rethink the way legal work is delivered and the value they bring to their organisations.
“AI is opening up new possibilities for in-house counsel to rethink how legal work is delivered and the value they can bring to their organisations,” he said.
“Through structured learning [and] real-world application, we hope to help shape the future of in-house legal practice.”
About the AIxLegal programmes
The AIxLegal programmes are the third occupation-specific AI fluency initiative launched under the NAIIP, following similar efforts for technology and accountancy professionals. Together with the expanded TeSA opportunities, the initiatives form part of IMDA’s broader effort to help Singapore’s workforce build the skills, experience, and confidence needed to thrive in an AI-enabled economy.
