Yes. Opening credits and the SkillsFuture Credit top-up can be used on top of existing Government course subsidies to pay for a range of skills-related courses.

These include elected courses offered by the Ministry of Education-funded institutions such as the Institute of Technical Education, polytechnics and autonomous universities.

As of January 2022, Singapore Citizens above 40 years of age can alim 70 percent of course fees, while both Singapore Citizens and PRs working at Singapore SMEs can claim 70 percent of course fees.

Yes, trainees may use it offset the nett course fees once they are enrolled. These fees range from $500 for a 6-month programme to $1,000 for a 12-month programme.

Fees have been kept affordable as the programmes are targeted at unemployed individuals, SkillsFuture Singapore (SSG) said.

In most cases, government subsidies for these courses will cover more than 95 per cent of the course fees.

Seniors can consider using their SkillsFuture Credit on SkillsFuture courses offered by People’s Association, or courses offered by Infocomm Media Development Authority’s Silver Infocomm Junctions, as well as selected courses under the National Silver Academy.

Seniors who are interested in picking up basic digital literacy skills can also consider using their SkillsFuture Credit on the SkillsFuture for Digital Workplace programme.

Under this programme, 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 – and 70 percent of the fee is paid for you.

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.

It added that it has been supporting employers’ training efforts through substantial subsidies provided for such employer-supported training. However, bear in mind that if you are working at a Singapore SME, and you want to do a course yourself, you can claim up to 70% of the course fees.

The SkillsFuture Credit can only be used for skills-related courses “with clear and relevant training outcomes”, said SSG.

Individuals may approach the Training Provider to consider submitting the course to be approved for use with the SkillsFuture Credit and the SkillsFuture Credit top-up, subject to the eligibility criteria.

Text: Jolene Ang/The Straits Times

Updated March 2022

Read Next

"I Decided To Go Back To School After Being Retrenched"

Learning A New Language? These Are The 8 Easiest Ones

How Learning To Play A Musical Instrument Can Make You Healthier And Happier