Singapore: Prudential partners Ngee Ann Polytechnic to launch machine learning programme for employees

| 14 Feb 2020

Nigel Chan (centre), a Performance Management Analyst from Prudential’s Distribution division, takes up the online Machine Learning course together with colleagues, Angeline Alexander (left), from the company’s Customer division and Marilyn Chin (right), from the Risk and Compliance division. (Credit: Prudential Singapore)

Prudential Singapore is offering its 1,200 employees an online certification programme, Machine Learning for Humans, to equip them with the skills to better leverage data in their daily work using Artificial Intelligence (AI). More than 170 employees have signed up for the programme since it launched on 1 February 2020.

Prudential is the first company in Singapore to collaborate with Ngee Ann Polytechnic to roll out the online course, the company statement said. This follows the successful launch of the foundational course, AI in Finance, to over 200 Prudential employees last year.

Ms Sheela Parakkal, Chief Human Resource Officer, Prudential Singapore, said the ability to understand AI and apply it to what we do is a useful skill to have, regardless of job roles.

“We are seeing greater implementation of Artificial Intelligence across our business. For instance, our chatbot, askPRU, that has changed the way our 5000-strong team of financial consultants interact with our customers, is an AI-powered solution. As technology continues to transform the way we work, we want to equip our employees with the capability to leverage it. With the new Machine Learning programme, we hope our employees can acquire an important skillset that will boost their relevance in this digital age,” she added.

Mr Clarence Ti, Principal of Ngee Ann Polytechnic, said, “With Machine Learning playing an increasingly vital role in driving business decisions, Ngee Ann Poly is excited to collaborate with Prudential to launch our inaugural online course, Machine Learning for Humans. This partnership is a significant milestone for Ngee Ann Poly as we look forward to equipping companies like Prudential to upskill their employees and embrace the technology that is changing the landscape of the financial services sector in Singapore.”

Prudential employees who have signed up for the new programme will be trained by data scientists from both the public and private sectors. The online course can be completed within 30 hours, following which employees are required to take scenario-based assessments to demonstrate their understanding and ability to translate theory into application.

Read also: Singapore's life insurance industry achieved 0.4% growth in 2019 

The insurer has been upskilling its people to get them future ready. Last year, it provided 18,000 training hours to employees in areas like design thinking, innovation and project management.

Employees who successfully upskill themselves can subsequently take on new roles within the organisation as part of its internal mobility programme. Last year, 9 per cent of Prudential’s workforce took up a new role in the company.


Check these out:

Will the role of financial practitioners be irrelevant in the face of virtual assistants?

Leverage on technology for better professionalism, performance and productivity. Get your free demo here. 

Strategies from grooming two top rookie agency leaders - Jaden Wang

Prudential announces senior management changes, banking veteran named Singapore CEO