Tech giant Google is planning to train the next generation of technology innovators in Singapore.

The company is planning to roll out a Code in the Community program next year. The program has the goal of training around 3000 children from needy homes in the next three years.

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The program hopes to heavily subsidize the cost of coding lessons. In turn, this will help bridge the digital divide.

"Google can play a part to inspire students to take up technology as a career," said Mr. Caesar Sengupta, vice-president of Google's The Next Billionaire Users Division.

He added that the broader goal is to get young people in Singapore excited about technology and engineering.

"We need more engineers and product designers coming out of local schools," he added in an interview.

This initiative is in line with Singapore Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong's call earlier this year for more students to consider a career in engineering and technology.

The Prime Minister believes that if more young people take up these careers, it will help keep public infrastructure projects going.

The cost of training the 3000 children is expected to hit $1 million, going by the current rates for coding lessons.

For instance, Saturday coding classes start at $350 for an introductory 10-hour course in scratch, a programming language.

Google will work in tandem with self-help groups such as the Chinese Development Assistance Council (CDAC), Mendaki, Sinda, and the Eurasian Association to identify needy homes.

The program will target children aged from 8 to 15 years. The 10-week training will be conducted once a week on a weekend, twice a year.

More details about Google's program will be revealed on a later date.

TagsGoogle, Tech, Singapore