Certis teaches tech skills to disadvantaged youth

Singapore

CERTIS, Asia's leading advanced integrated security services provider, is partnering with The Business Times Budding Artists Fund (BT BAF) for the third year running to teach coding and other digital skills to underprivileged youth.

As part of Certis' Community Give-Back programme, its employees are working alongside BT BAF student trainers to conduct tech workshops for about 100 children from various Volunteer Welfare Organisations (VWOs).

In a recent workshop, children under the care of Yayasan MENDAKI learned to create their own digital maze game using the online platform CoSpaces.

Over Zoom, Certis chief corporate and human resources officer Tan Toi Chia handed a donation cheque of S$20,000 to a representative of BT BAF.

Mr Tan said: "The current climate still remains challenging for the emotional and well-being of our children and youth. We remain committed in our engagement and support of our children and youth through meaningful activities that spur learning and growth.

"My colleagues are very motivated in doing their part to help those in need and we will continue to inspire each other to give back to our communities."

The cheque presentation was preceded by a filmed message from Low Yen Ling, Minister of State, Ministry of Culture, Community and Youth, and Ministry for Trade and Industry.

Ms Low says that an initiative like this "strengthens social cohesion". She also hopes that the events of the pandemic will "help more of us - both individuals and organisations alike - to recognise our interconnectedness and social responsibility towards each other."