Understanding SkillsFuture Credit Eligibility Criteria
SkillsFuture Credit is a government initiative that aims to encourage Singaporeans to take ownership of their skills development and learning journey.
It is a credit that you can use to pay for a wide range of approved skills-related courses, such as online courses, courses offered by MOE-funded institutions, courses supported by public agencies, and more1.
SkillsFuture Credit was introduced in 2015 and has been topped up periodically by the government. As of 2020, all Singaporeans aged 25 and above will receive an opening credit of S$500.
In addition, there are also one-off credit top-ups for Singaporeans aged 25 and above as at 31 December 2020 (S$500) and for Singaporeans aged 40 to 60 (inclusive) as at 31 December 2020 (S$500)1.
How do I know if I am eligible for SkillsFuture Credit?
To be eligible, you must meet the following criteria:
- You are a Singapore citizen or permanent resident
- You are aged 25 and above as at the date of application
- You have not previously qualified for SkillsFuture Credit
- You have not defaulted on any SDL payments
If you meet these criteria, you can access your account at MySkillsFuture, where you can view your available credits, make claims, track your progress, and more.
How do I claim my SkillsFuture Credit?
- Register or log in to MySkillsFuture
- Click on ‘Claim’ under ‘My Account’
- Choose the course that you want to enrol in from the list of eligible courses
- Pay the course fees using your preferred payment method
- Submit your proof of payment within the specified deadline
- You can also check out this video tutorial on how to claim your SkillsFuture Credit.
What are some examples of SkillsFuture Credit-eligible courses?
There are many types of courses that you can choose from under the SkillsFuture Credit umbrella. Here are some examples:
Online courses: These are self-paced courses that you can learn at your own convenience. They cover various topics such as business skills, digital skills, languages, health and wellness, etc. Some online courses are subsidised or approved by SkillsFuture Singapore.
Courses offered by MOE-funded institutions: These are courses that are delivered by institutes such as ITE, polytechnics, autonomous universities, LASALLE College of the Arts, Nanyang Academy of Fine Arts, etc. They offer full qualification programmes or short-term training programmes in various fields such as engineering, design, media arts, etc.
Courses supported by public agencies: These are courses that are offered by public agencies such as SkillsFuture@PA (People’s Association), Silver Infocomm Junctions (IMDA), National Silver Academy (NSA), etc. They provide opportunities for lifelong learning and career transition for seniors.
You can view the full list of SkillsFuture Credit-eligible courses at this link.
Maximizing SkillsFuture Credit for Professional Development
If you are looking for ways to boost your career prospects and stay relevant in the fast-changing world of work, you might want to consider using your SkillsFuture Credit for professional development. Professional development is the process of enhancing your knowledge, skills, and competencies to achieve your career goals and aspirations. It can help you to:
- Learn new skills or update your existing ones
- Gain new qualifications or certifications
- Access career transition programmes or pathways
- Explore new industries or sectors
- Advance to higher positions or roles
SkillsFuture Credit can help you to fund your professional development activities by reducing the cost of tuition fees or other expenses. You can use it for a wide range of approved courses, such as online courses, courses offered by MOE-funded institutions, courses supported by public agencies, and more.
You can also claim additional Credits (Mid-Career Support) of $500 for selected courses and SkillsFuture Career Transition Programmes.
To maximize your Credits for professional development, here are some tips that you can follow:
- Plan ahead: Before you enroll in a course, check if it is eligible for SkillsFuture Credit and how much credit it will give you. You can use the SkillsFuture Credit Eligibility Checker to find out. You should also consider your learning objectives, budget, time availability, and preferred mode of delivery when choosing a course.
Compare options: There are many types of courses that you can choose from under the SkillsFuture Credit umbrella. Some are free, while others have different fees depending on the provider or platform. You should compare the features, benefits, and costs of different options before making a decision. You can also look for discounts or promotions that might be available from time to time. - Track your progress: Once you have enrolled in a course using your SkillsFuture Credit, make sure that you track your progress and completion status regularly. This will help you to monitor your learning outcomes and achievements. You can also use this information to update your resume or portfolio with evidence of your skills development.
- Seek feedback: Another way to enhance your professional development is to seek feedback from others who have taken the same course or who are experts in their fields. Feedback can help you to identify your strengths and weaknesses, improve your performance, and learn from best practices. You can also network with other learners or instructors through online forums or social media platforms.
By following these tips, you can make full use of your Credits for professional development and reap the benefits of lifelong learning. Whether you want to upgrade your existing skills or learn new ones, there is something for everyone under the SkillsFuture Credit umbrella.
Success Stories: How SkillsFuture Credit Transformed Businesses
SkillsFuture Credit is not only a great way for individuals to upskill themselves, but also for businesses to enhance their capabilities and competitiveness.
Many businesses have used their Credits to invest in their employees’ skills development and learning journey, resulting in positive outcomes such as improved productivity, innovation, customer satisfaction, and profitability.
Here are some examples of how SkillsFuture Credit helped businesses transform their future:
- Amgen Singapore Manufacturing: Amgen Singapore Manufacturing is a subsidiary of the global biotechnology company Amgen. It produces biosimilars, which are highly similar but not identical versions of biologic medicines. To keep up with the changing market demands and regulatory requirements, Amgen Singapore Manufacturing used its SkillsFuture Credit to enrol its employees in various courses on topics such as quality management, regulatory affairs, and project management1. These courses helped them to improve their skills and knowledge, as well as foster a culture of continuous learning and improvement.
- BattleBrew Productions: BattleBrew Productions is a creative agency that specialises in producing engaging content for brands. It used its SkillsFuture Credit to train its staff on digital marketing skills such as SEO, social media marketing, web design, and video production2. These skills helped them to create more effective and impactful campaigns for their clients, as well as expand their portfolio and reach.
- Dr Kenneth Tong: Dr Kenneth Tong is the founder and CEO of Dr Kenneth Tong & Associates (DKA), a medical group that provides holistic health solutions. He used his SkillsFuture Credit to upgrade his own skills in medicine and health care delivery. He enrolled in courses on topics such as chronic disease management, geriatric care, palliative care, and medical ethics. These courses helped him to stay updated with the latest developments and best practices in his field.
These are just some of the many success stories that show how SkillsFuture Credit can help businesses grow and thrive.
By using their Credits for professional development activities, businesses can benefit from:
- Reduced costs: By using their SkillsFuture Credit instead of paying tuition fees or other expenses directly, businesses can save money that they can reinvest in other areas or use for other purposes.
- Increased efficiency: By improving the skills and knowledge of their employees through training courses or programmes supported by public agencies or private providers under the SkillsFuture Credit umbrella, businesses can enhance their productivity and performance.
- Enhanced reputation: By demonstrating their commitment to lifelong learning and employee development through using their SkillsFuture Credit for professional development activities, businesses can build trust and credibility with their customers, partners, investors, regulators, and employees.
Schedule an appointment with us to create your success story today.
