AI’s value does not come from the model alone; it also depends on the people who can apply the technology within an organisation's data, systems, and operational realities.
As AI, cloud, and digital transformation reshape how businesses operate, the demand is no longer for people who simply understand the technology in theory. Employers need people who can apply and adapt to these technologies, and deliver measurable outcomes in live enterprise environments.
According to McKinsey, while nearly all companies are investing in AI, only 1% of leaders consider their organisations “mature” in AI deployment. This highlights the growing need for professionals who can bridge the gap between technological capability and practical enterprise execution.
MaivenPoint Academy addresses this gap by honing talents through work-based learning, continuous upskilling, and industry collaboration.
Why Future-Ready Talent Cannot Be Built Through Education Alone
With Singapore advancing its National AI Strategy and investing in the development of an AI-fluent workforce, organisations are increasingly seeking professionals with AI capabilities to drive transformation and innovation. Yet the supply of industry-ready talent has struggled to keep pace: Deloitte’s Global Human Capital Trends study found that 66% of managers and executives believe most recent hires are not fully prepared for the workplace.
This is a structural gap that periodic hiring or academic output alone cannot address. Building future-ready talent is not about education alone. It is about the deliberate integration of learning, industry immersion, and real-world problem solving — where academic knowledge is continuously reinforced through applied experience. A qualification demonstrates what someone knows; real-world experience demonstrates what they can accomplish when projects are complex, data is imperfect, and outcomes matter. At MaivenPoint Academy, this belief guides how we develop talent: Learning should create value beyond the classroom and connect directly to practical outcomes.
This philosophy has become increasingly important as AI adoption accelerates. According to a joint report by McKinsey, the Singapore Economic Development Board (EDB), and Tech in Asia, nearly half (46%) of organisations across Southeast Asia have already moved beyond AI experimentation and into deployment at scale, with Singapore leading the region at 56%.
As organisations move faster from pilot projects to production environments, the need for talent that can translate technical knowledge into business outcomes will only continue to grow.
Work and Study: Where Learning Meets Real-World Application
MaivenPoint Academy’s Work-Study Programme empowers participants to earn a master’s degree through institutions like the Singapore Management University (SMU), while gaining hands-on industry training at AvePoint Singapore — combining academic excellence with applied industry experience.
Rather than treating study and work as separate tracks, participants move continuously between the two through:
- Studying advanced AI, data, and digital transformation concepts in a structured academic setting.
- Applying those concepts to projects serving public sector agencies and enterprise clients.
- Developing under the guidance of mentors and experienced practitioners, gaining career coaching alongside technical depth.
This model helps participants graduate with more than a qualification; they gain practical experience and professional confidence that allow them to contribute from day one.
Deepening Mastery Through SMU's IPMDE
The Industry Practice Master of Digital Economy (IPMDE) at the Singapore Management University connects postgraduate study with applied industry practice. Offered as part of the Work-Study Programme, IPMDE is a postgraduate programme designed to develop talent in digital transformation, data-driven decision-making, and technology-enabled business innovation through a blend of academic study and industry practice.
IPMDE connects academic learning to workplace application. Participants pursue their postgraduate qualification while undertaking structured on-the-job training at AvePoint.
That combination helps professionals develop practical capabilities relevant to digital transformation roles:
- Digital strategy and business transformation. Learn how to translate technology investments into measurable business value.
- Data-driven decision-making. Develop analytical skills that support informed, actionable decisions.
- Applied project delivery. Gain hands-on experience delivering real solutions using Agile methodologies and modern delivery practices.
- Leadership and communication. Strengthen the ability to communicate complex concepts clearly and collaborate across teams.
The distinguishing feature is that mastery is developed through practice, not just instruction. Participants can apply domain knowledge and AI concepts to workplace challenges, including prototype development where the programme scope supports it.
The Goal: Engineers Who Make Technology Work
These experiences can help professionals develop talent with the capabilities of a forward deployed engineer (FDE).
An FDE is a customer-facing engineer embedded directly with clients to develop and deploy solutions within their environment, working alongside their teams to solve complex problems. In practice, the role is the human bridge between a platform and a customer’s specific challenge. It has emerged as an increasingly important role as organisations move from AI experimentation to enterprise deployment.
Developing the capability to deploy solutions within customer environments requires a mix of deep technical acumen, strong domain understanding, and client-facing skills.
Work-based learning and pathways such as IPMDE can help participants practise these capabilities in enterprise and public-sector contexts, subject to the programme’s approved project scope.
A Talent Engine for the Digital Economy
Developing talent is not a one-time milestone marked by graduation or the completion of a programme. It is an ongoing cycle of learning, application, and growth that strengthens both individuals and the broader technology ecosystem.
As the digital economy continues to evolve, this integrated model of work, study, and continuous upskilling will play a critical role in preparing talent to thrive — ensuring our people are not just participants in change, but the engineers who drive it.
Discover how work-based learning and continuous upskilling develop future-ready talent through MaivenPoint Academy’s Work-Study Programme.
