‘I didn’t have the confidence’: New IMDA initiative helps women return to work in tech sector
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Ms Lidya Salim (left), a corporate sales account manager at Google Cloud, and Ms Kanchana Gupta, global resource management lead at NCS Group, are both career returnees.
ST PHOTO: SHINTARO TAY
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SINGAPORE – Women looking to return to work in the technology sector after a career break will now get help from a new government programme called Relaunch.
The Infocomm Media Development Authority (IMDA) initiative focuses on four areas: providing structured programmes such as coding and artificial intelligence-related courses, career integration support system such as personalised resumes, guidance from mentors and connecting women with networking and employment opportunities.
“We do have people who have had to return to a workforce that is fast moving and really challenges them to perform to the rising expectations,” said Minister for Digital Development and Information Josephine Teo on Nov 18.
She announced the launch of the programme at an event to mark the fifth anniversary of the SG Women in Tech initiative at the Singapore Marriott Tang Plaza Hotel.
She added that with rapid advancements in technology, professionals returning from hiatus often face a steep learning curve.
A tie-up between SG Women in Tech and NTUC LearningHub, the Relaunch initiative has pulled together 23 companies that have committed their resources.
Ant International Foundation, Emerson, LinkedIn and Rakuten are among the firms providing resources such as training, mentoring and hiring opportunities.
Ms Lidya Salim, who returned to work in November 2021, told The Straits Times at the event about how she battled depression and suffered the loss of self-confidence during a two-year career break to care for her young children.
She was previously a business director at a tech marketing agency and referred to herself as a high achiever.
“By the one-year mark, I already felt very restless. I was starting to worry whether I was still relevant. Then you start comparing with the people around you, for example, realising that your friends around you are getting promoted,” she said.
She now works as a corporate sales account manager at Google Cloud.
Noting Ms Salim’s inspiring journey in returning to work, Mrs Teo highlighted that it was a SG Women in Tech event that got her noticed, which eventually helped her to receive the support she needed.
“Because arising from that, her network expanded. She had support not just from her husband and her family, but she also had tremendous encouragement from within this network.”
Ms Kanchana Gupta, a career returnee herself, believes that having a mentor is a great morale booster. She founded mentoring platform vLookUp.ai in September 2021.
As part of Relaunch, a mentoring programme by vLookUp.ai and the Singapore Computer Society will enable 20 mentors to be paired with women returning to work, offering guidance and support unique to their career goals.
“When women take a career break, the first thing that gets hit is their confidence level,” she said.
Mrs Teo highlighted that the proportion of Singapore tech companies offering initiatives to support women has increased from 31 per cent in 2020 to 56 per cent in 2023.
She cited IT firm Tata Consultancy Services, which she said is launching a scheme called Rebegin Singapore to hire 50 returning women in tech.
Minister for Digital Development and Information Josephine Teo highlighted the rise in Singapore tech companies offering initiatives to support women.
ST PHOTO: SHINTARO TAY
Ms Alia Kalistiani, who works in Oppo’s digital marketing team, had to overcome feelings of inadequacy after an eight-year hiatus to care for her children.
“I have been away from the job market and have not been in touch with the industry. I didn’t have the confidence and questioned if my skills were still relevant,” she said.
The turning point came when she learnt about the Mendaki Women At Work programme, a targeted initiative to help Muslim women re-enter the workforce. She believes such programmes are beneficial as they provide work returnees with a dedicated support system and assistance.
“Through these programmes, you will learn that you’re not alone in this journey,” she said.
According to IMDA’s October report on Singapore’s digital economy, demand for tech talent remains strong despite a more cautious hiring outlook in the tech sector in Singapore and around the world. Overall tech employment makes up 5 per cent of total employment in Singapore.
Correction note: In an earlier version of the story, we said that Amazon is among the firms providing resources such as training, mentoring and hiring opportunities instead of Emerson. This has been corrected.
