In a pivotal move for Singapore’s security industry, Certis and the Singapore University of Technology and Design (SUTD) have joined forces to enhance AI literacy and digital mastery, equipping security professionals and frontline personnel with the latest digital skills required to excel in today’s fast-evolving work environment.
The joint Certis-SUTD AI Literacy Programme was officially launched by Minister of State (MOS) for Education and Manpower, Ms Gan Siow Huang – alongside Mr Paul Chong, President and Group CEO of Certis; Dr Jaclyn Lee, Certis’ Chief Human Resources Officer and Chief Executive of Certis Corporate University; Prof Lim Seh Chun, Acting Provost of SUTD; and Mr John Leong, Director of SUTD Academy – at a launch ceremony held at Certis today.
In line with the most recent launch of Smart Nation 2.0, this collaboration sets the stage for empowering professionals in the security sector, by co-developing an AI literacy roadmap catered towards enhancing the skillset of the entire workforce, from entry-level roles to senior management. With AI rapidly transforming workplaces, this initiative will ensure that all executives, managers, and operational supervisors are not only prepared for, but can also thrive in, today’s digital-first environment.
Officiating the launch of the programme as Guest-of-Honour, MOS Gan commended Certis and SUTD for embarking on the partnership: “Through this partnership, Certis and SUTD are leveraging each other’s strengths to co-design and deliver AI literacy courses for security professionals, beginning with Certis employees. This initiative complements our broader efforts to prepare Singaporeans for the changing nature of work, and I commend Certis and SUTD for pioneering this collaboration. I look forward to seeing its positive impact on levelling up the AI literacy and digital competency of the security sector.”
Unlocking Employee Potential through AI
At the heart of this partnership is the belief that AI is not just a tool, but a key enabler of employee growth and development. For Certis staff, the integration of AI into their daily roles will bring a significant shift from performing repetitive, manual tasks to focusing on higher-level problem-solving, decision-making, and innovation. By leveraging AI tools, employees will enhance their productivity and unlock new opportunities for career development.
The partnership will roll out a three-tiered digital literacy framework, comprising Digital Discovery, Digital Mastery, and Digital Expertise. These programmes will ensure a wide spectrum of learning, from basic AI understanding to advanced applications, allowing employees to upskill and reskill according to their career needs.
In the first wave of training, Certis targets to train 2,000 Certis professionals, including security supervisors, in the first course of the series, “AI Basics for Work Productivity” by 2025.
Real-World Benefits for Employees
Since 2018, Certis has been integrating AI into its enterprise technology solutions. With the rapid growth in AI adoption over the past year, Certis has expanded its use into daily operations, enabling staff to benefit from streamlined workflows in various areas, including:
• Incident Reporting: AI automatically corrects and refines incident reports, reducing time spent on administrative tasks and allowing Certis staff to focus on critical decision-making.
• Knowledge/Information Distribution: AI-enabled chatbots provide timely responses to user inquiries on various topics - tasks previously handled by administrative staff. This reduces the administrative workload while enhancing the overall employee experience.
In the coming year, Certis plans to extend the use of AI into additional areas:
• Operational Learning: AI-enabled digital assistants to empower frontline staff in performing tasks with accuracy and confidence, while also supporting continuous learning through gamification.
• Resource Allocation: AI ensures optimal deployment of personnel, improving efficiency in managing ground operations.
• Smart Command Centre: Multi-modal AI enhances event detection and categorisation, reducing manpower resource in command centres while improving detection accuracy.
With these applications, Certis aims to prepare its workforce for the AI era, enabling employees to boost productivity and engage in reskilling.
Empowering a Future-Ready Workforce
As part of the Ministry of Home Affairs’ Security Industry Transformation Map 2025, the partnership with SUTD underscores Certis’ commitment to a future-ready workforce. Employees will gain proficiency with Certis’ proprietary AI-enabled systems like Mozart and Argus and learn how to harness AI for operational efficiency and innovation.
Moreover, Certis aims to cultivate a pool of citizen developers within its workforce, empowering staff to build simple apps and platforms through low-code tech and AI. This democratisation of digital tools will encourage employees to innovate and contribute to the company’s growth while improving their job satisfaction.
A Long-Term Vision for Growth
Dr Jaclyn Lee, Certis’ Chief Human Resources Officer and Chief Executive Officer of Certis Corporate University added: “We are thrilled to join forces with SUTD to empower our workforce with AI skills, the first such collaboration in Singapore. This partnership cements our commitment to fostering a culture of continuous learning and innovation not just within Certis, but across the industry. By equipping our professionals with the latest AI and digital literacy skills, we are not only enhancing their career prospects but also driving the digital transformation of Certis.”
Mr John Leong, Director of SUTD Academy, added: “AI is no longer a futuristic concept as it is influencing and reshaping every industry, from healthcare to finance and even security. Its prevalence will only grow in strength and stature. As such, SUTD is excited to partner Certis in empowering individuals with essential AI and digital literacy skills by harnessing SUTD’s expertise in design x AI x technology. The launch of this comprehensive AI literacy programme signifies a major leap towards cultivating a digitally skilled workforce.”
The first phase of the programme commenced in September 2024, with subsequent phases rolling out over the next year. Both institutions are committed to ensuring the highest quality of education and training, paving the way for a digitally empowered workforce.