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SINGAPORE – Introduced in 2015, the national SkillsFuture movement aims to build a culture of skills development and lifelong learning.
All Singaporeans 25 and older receive a $ 500 opening credit, to encourage people to take ownership of their learning.
Singaporeans aged 25 and over as of December 31 of this year will also receive a one-time additional SkillsFuture Credit of $ 500, to further encourage them to take timely action to retrain and improve. This additional credit, if not used, will expire on December 31, 2025.
In addition to this, Singaporeans aged 40 to 60 (inclusive) as of December 31 of this year will receive another $ 500 in credits to improve their access to career transition programs. This credit will also expire in five years.
Here are some answers to the most frequently asked questions about the program.
1. Can I use my SkillsFuture credit for any course I want, including those unrelated to my current job?
A: Yes. Opening credits and SkillsFuture Credit Top-Up can be used in addition to existing government course grants to pay for a variety of skills-related courses.
These include chosen courses offered by institutions funded by the Ministry of Education, such as the Institute of Technical Education, polytechnic schools, and autonomous universities.
2. If I am unemployed, can I use my SkillsFuture credit to offset SGUnited Skills and SGUnited Mid-Career Pathways course fees?
A: Yes, trainees can use it to offset the net course fees once they are enrolled. These fees range from $ 500 for a 6-month program to $ 1,000 for a 12-month program.
The fees have been kept affordable as the programs are aimed at unemployed people, said SkillsFuture Singapore (SSG).
In most cases, government grants for these courses will cover more than 95 percent of the course fees.
3. What kinds of courses are suitable for older people?
A: Seniors may consider using their SkillsFuture credit on SkillsFuture courses offered by the People’s Association, or courses offered by Infocomm Media Development Authority’s Silver Infocomm Junctions, as well as selected courses from the National Silver Academy.
Seniors who are interested in acquiring basic digital literacy skills may also consider using their SkillsFuture credit in the SkillsFuture for Digital Workplace program.
Under this program, they can learn about emerging technologies and how they impact work, as well as learn to interpret and use data, and adopt a positive mindset for change, innovation, and resilience.
4. Can I use my SkillsFuture credit to co-finance the fees for the training course that my employer will send me?
A: No. The SkillsFuture credit supports individual-initiated training.
It is not intended to pay for training provided by employers, which should continue to be borne by employers, SSG said.
He added that he has been supporting employer training efforts through substantial subsidies provided for such employer-supported training.
5. The course I am interested in is not eligible for SkillsFuture Credit. How can I appeal to make the course eligible for SkillsFuture Credit?
A: The SkillsFuture credit can only be used for skills-related courses “with clear and relevant training outcomes,” SSG said.
Individuals may approach the training provider to consider submitting the course for approval for use with the SkillsFuture Credit and SkillsFuture Credit reload, subject to eligibility criteria.
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