The definition of job readiness is undergoing a seismic shift. For young professionals entering the tech workforce, academic credentials alone are no longer the golden ticket. Employers now look for agile learners – those who can blend theory with practice, adapt quickly to evolving technologies, and hit the ground running.

As the digital economy continues to expand across Southeast Asia, the race is on to close the gap between what schools teach and what the industry demands.

At the forefront of this transformation is the Singapore-based technology services firm NCS. With clients spanning government agencies, enterprises, and telcos, NCS is tackling digital disruption head-on by investing not just in tech but in talent.

At the helm of this strategy is Charlotte Chiew, Vice President of People & Culture at NCS, who believes that building digital dexterity isn’t just a matter of training but survival.

“From investing in education and training pathways for tertiary graduates, to upskilling our existing workforce, and building a comprehensive internship programme, NCS invests in our people to enable them to deliver meaningful impact, pursue their technology passions, and develop both current and future-ready skills,” Chiew shared in an exclusive interview with People Matters Global.

Structured and scalable learning pathways

At NCS, the future isn’t a far-off goal. Rather, it is embedded in the present through three signature talent programmes: Fusion, Ignite, and Nucleus.

Each programme caters to a distinct talent segment, offering a runway for growth regardless of one’s academic origin. Whether you’re stepping out of the Institute of Technical Education (ITE), armed with a polytechnic diploma, or graduating from university with big dreams in data or AI, NCS has paved the way for you.

“Our Fusion, Ignite, and Nucleus programmes provide work-study and academic opportunities for ITE graduates, polytechnic diploma holders, and university graduates,” Chiew said.

Offering structured pathways for growth, these programmes blend technical skills with real-world experience to prepare graduates for tech roles.

This isn’t just a token gesture to youth employment but a full-fledged commitment. Every year, NCS welcomes 400 to 600 interns and offers them hands-on exposure to real-world projects. It’s an early trial by fire, but one that forges grit, skill, and clarity in career direction.

It’s about transforming young talent into agile professionals who can ride the digital wave instead of being drowned by it.

For Chiew, Dojo, the firm’s in-house learning organisation, plays a critical role in building a culture of lifelong learning.

“Dojo fosters continuous learning and development throughout the careers of our people. For instance, we have rolled out an AI course that will enable all 13,000 of our colleagues with AI foundations,” Chiew said. “This ensures that our people are equipped with the knowledge and skills needed to navigate the evolving technological landscape.”

In other words, upskilling isn’t an afterthought but the backbone of organisational resilience.

Practical knowledge, real-world experience

The programme Nucleus, for instance, goes deep. This five-year path for university graduates leads to a Master of Technology degree, buttressed by professional certifications, coaching, and hands-on project work.

“Nucleus is tailored for university graduates who want to deepen their technical expertise … [It] includes training, coaching, and hands-on experience in ICT skills,” Chiew explained.

For those just starting their higher education journey, Fusion opens doors without tying strings. The three-to-four-year bond-free programme offers polytechnic graduates the chance to work, learn, and eventually earn a university degree. No handcuffs, just headway.

“It combines work with study, allowing participants to earn a university degree while receiving hands-on training and experience across various ICT specialisations,” Chiew said.

Meanwhile, Ignite serves as a launchpad for graduates ready to prove themselves in high-stakes environments.

“Ignite offers ITE graduates the opportunity to build skills, work on impactful projects, and obtain a sponsored diploma, which is ideal for young individuals seeking both technical expertise and real-world experience.”

How NCS measures success

In a fast-moving industry where yesterday’s hot skills may be tomorrow’s baseline, how does NCS measure success?

For Chiew, it’s in “seeing our people graduate from each programme, develop new skills, progress in their careers, and contribute effectively to the work of each client they engage with”.

And to ensure programmes keep their edge, NCS is constantly refining its strategy through deep partnerships with top academic institutions and industry agencies, including IMDA, NUS-ISS, NTU, SIT, and SIM.

“These partnerships … are designed to help students build the skills and experience needed for successful careers in tech,” Chiew noted.

“We hire and train polytechnic graduates in areas like infrastructure, software development, and cybersecurity while they pursue a university degree at NTU, SIT or SIM.”

Such collaborations keep curricula up to date and build a vital bridge between classroom and boardroom – the lab and the launchpad.

The future of learning, according to NCS

So, what’s next on the horizon? As digital transformation evolves, so too must the talent powering it. The next wave, according to Chiew, is AI at scale.

“Over the next five years, many technical and non-technical roles will increasingly require AI-related capabilities, from designing and creating AI-driven systems to supporting them,” she said.

Entirely new domains are emerging, from robotics and Agentic AI to AI of Things (AIoT), as well as AI ethics and compliance.

NCS is preparing for this future with a strategy that fuses specialised on-the-job training with the company’s expanding portfolio of AI-led solutions.

The stakes may be rising, but Chiew’s message to aspiring tech professionals, especially those without conventional credentials, is one of hope and hustle:

“The key is having a strong appetite for learning and discovery … With advancements in AI and technology, numerous platforms are available to learn, explore and acquire new skills. Seize every opportunity and be courageous in stepping up and stepping out.”

The future of learning is about how fast you’re willing to learn, how far you’re willing to go, and whether you’re ready to keep running towards your goals.

For NCS, to embrace this future entails more than watching developments unfold. It requires building pathways, block by block.