Photo: AAT Training Hub leadership and operations team alongside Nadhirah Nor Azhar, Senior Business Advisor at SME Centre @ SMCCI
Founded in 2005, AAT Training Hub Pte Ltd began with a clear mission: elevating workplace safety and operational standards across Singapore’s industrial sectors. In its early days, the company focused primarily on hands-on vocational courses, including warehouse logistics, machinery operations, food safety, and dangerous goods handling.
Over the past two decades, AAT Training Hub has transformed into a comprehensive workforce capability developer. Today, the organisation boasts an extensive course library of over 50 accredited programs, spanning academic diplomas, IT skills, and soft-skills training. Operating 10 to 12 daily classes across its centres with a 60-strong local team, AAT Training Hub has trained over 800,000 working professionals to date.
Seizing First-Mover Advantage in Central Asia
While scaling its local operations, AAT Training Hub sought new growth avenues overseas. The team identified Central Asia – specifically Uzbekistan – as an emerging market experiencing significant transformation. As Uzbekistan began rolling out its National Qualifications Framework and government-driven competency training, AAT Training Hub recognised a strategic window to establish a first-mover advantage. To leverage Singapore’s international reputation for high educational standards, the company launched its offerings in the market under the identity “Singapore Skills Academy“.
“Uzbekistan is building its national competency framework much like Singapore’s WSQ system. By establishing our brand early – starting with children’s (edtech) and vocational learning – we build long-term trust and brand recognition as the national framework matures,” shares Muhammed Iqbal, Director and CEO at AAT Training Hub.
Strategic Guidance and Ecosystem Connections
Navigating cross-border setup, regulatory incorporation, and talent sourcing posed complex operational challenges. Iqbal re-connected with Nadhirah Nor Azhar, a Senior Business Advisor from SME Centre @ SMCCI, whom the company had worked with since 2015.
Nadhirah advised the business on structuring its overseas entry and helped them successfully tap Enterprise Singapore’s Market Readiness Assistance (MRA) grant to offset incorporation and initial business development costs. Beyond grant assistance, Nadhirah facilitated necessary network connections:
- Entity Incorporation: Linked the company with corporate secretarial firm Annexure to streamline entity establishment in Uzbekistan.
- Local Talent Sourcing: Connected AAT Training Hub to talent channels via IT Park in Uzbekistan, enabling them to recruit a local Business Development Manager to lead ground operations.
Milestones and Future Horizons
Within six months of grant approval and entity setup, the company established a physical office and classroom facility in Uzbekistan. Since May 2026, the Uzbekistan entity began generating commercial revenue through long-form coding and STEM programs for children (operating small, focused class sizes of 10 students) alongside short vocational programmes for adults.
Today, Singapore Skills Academy employs 10 local personnel – including four full-time marketing and programming staff and six freelance trainers. Furthermore, the overseas setup has fostered global cross-cultural competencies among the Singaporean staff, broadening managerial mindsets and international operational agility.
Looking ahead, AAT Training Hub plans to position Uzbekistan as its primary regional hub to scale into neighbouring Central Asian markets such as Kazakhstan and Tajikistan, alongside ongoing market entry efforts in Indonesia, Thailand, and Oman.
About AAT Training Hub
AAT Training Hub is a leading educational institution committed to delivering holistic learning experiences through a competency-based curriculum. Leveraging advanced educational technologies, we aim to create impactful programs tailored to learners of all levels.
As part of our vision, we uphold the highest standards in training by implementing accredited procedures and applying proven methodologies. We are proud to be certified under ISO 45001 and ISO 29990 standards and recognized as a BizSafe STAR organization, demonstrating our dedication to quality, safety, and excellence.
Disclaimer: No part of this publication may be reproduced without prior permission of SME Centre @ SMCCI Pte Ltd.