5 Subsidies and Programmes for Training and Upskilling in Singapore

21 May 2020

Written by Jovan Lee

Now’s as good a time as any to look for opportunities to upgrade your skillset and learn new skills to improve your employability in the job market. As many workers are sidelined during the COVID-19 pandemic, many are taking advantage of their time to upskill and train themselves in order to stay competitive in the job market. If you are currently employed, upgrading yourself makes you an asset to your company as it shows your ability to adapt and will help you in your career advancement.

The Singapore government is encouraging Singaporeans to improve and learn by providing subsidies and programmes for different groups of citizens addressing different needs and abilities. Don’t miss this opportunity to stay ahead as a jobseeker and find out what are the subsidies available to you to help you in your lifelong journey of learning.

1. SkillsFuture Credits

All Singaporeans aged above 25 years old will receive an opening credit of $500 to help them develop new skills and promote lifelong learning. The SkillsFuture credits can be used on more than 8,000 courses offered by Institutes of Higher Learning and NTUC Learning Hub.

In addition to the opening credits, there is a SkillsFuture Credit top-up for all Singaporeans aged 25 or above by 31 Dec 2020, as well as a Mid-Career Support top-up for all Singaporeans aged 40 to 60 by 31 Dec 2020.

There is a wide array of courses that you can use your SkillsFuture Credits on to improve your skillset and prepare yourself to stay relevant in the dynamic and evolving workforce. Master new skills and never stop learning with your SkillsFuture Credits!

2. SkillsFuture Mid-Career Enhanced Subsidy

The SkillsFuture Mid-Career Enhanced Subsidy encourages lifelong learning and is specifically for Singaporeans aged 40 and up. You are never too old to learn and pick up new skills to stay responsive to a changing workplace.

Eligible individuals will receive higher subsidies of up to 90% of course fees for over 8,000 SkillsFuture Singapore (SSG) supported courses. These include courses for non-PMET level courses, as well as SSG-supported courses for eligible individuals under the Workfare Training Support Scheme (read more about the Workfare Training Support Scheme below).

In this rapidly changing work environment, upgrading and upskilling yourself is vital for career advancement or career switches. Take charge of your own career progression and make use of this subsidy to improve yourself and expand your skillset.

Look for more information on this subsidy at https://www.skillsfuture.sg/enhancedsubsidy

3. SkillsFuture Work-Study Programmes

Calling all students! Just graduated with a diploma, A-level, or ITE cert and planning to work while you study? Look up the SkillsFuture Work-Study Programmes offered by the Institute of Higher Learning (IHLs) and other private providers appointed by SkillsFuture Singapore. These programmes offer you an opportunity to work while you study, allowing you to experience a combination of classroom training and on-the-job training by companies.

The Work-Study Programmes can provide you with a head-start in your career related to your discipline of study. You could be looking at a competitive starting salary and full-time employment by companies appointed by SkillsFuture Singapore if you excel in your studies and show promise in the programme.

There are different programmes for diploma, A-level, or ITE graduates that are tailored for varying needs, but the Work-Study Programme could provide you with a depth of experience that you can’t find anywhere else.

Find out more here: https://www.skillsfuture.sg/workstudy

4. Workfare Training Support (WTS) Scheme

Aimed to encourage you to upgrade their work-relevant skills and attend training to improve your employability in the changing job market. Courses are subsidized up to 95% for WTS-approved courses, making training more affordable and allowing Singaporeans to reach their career goals.

The Workfare Training Support Scheme is eligible for Singapore Citizens aged 35 years old and above who are currently employed and earning a gross monthly income of not more than $2,000. The WTS subsidy can be used when applying for these courses:

Singapore Workforce Skills Qualifications (WSQ) courses
Approved Academic Continuing Education and Training (CET) courses offered by the Institute of Technical Education (ITE) and 5 local Polytechnics
Certifiable Skills Training Courses accredited or supported by SkillsFuture Singapore (SSG)

You can even suggest to your employer to send you for training as part of the WTS Scheme and pay even lesser for your upskilling. It’s a win-win situation!

5. Union Training Assistance Programme (UTAP)

If you’re an NTUC member, there’s good news for you. The Union Training Assistance Programme (UTAP) allows NTUC members to upgrade their skills with subsidized costs of training. NTUC members enjoy 50% course fee support up to $250 each year when you sign up for UTAP courses.

Take this opportunity to take some training courses supported by UTAP and learn a new skill to improve your employability.

Find out more about UTAP at http://skillsupgrade.ntuc.org.sg/wps/portal/skillsupgrade/home/skillsupgradeavailable/featuredindustries/featuredindustriesdetails

Wrapping it up

No matter your profession, age, or education level, the door of opportunity is always open to upgrade your skills and learn new things. Seek new opportunities to constantly improve amidst the ever-growing job market where new skills are in demand ever so often.

With your newly acquired skills, you can add your experience and knowledge into your resume, bolstering your employability and allowing for progression in your career. If you’re looking for a career switch or a new role, apply for a job on FastJobs by downloading our app and searching for jobs catered to your strengths and skill set.