1.     Who will qualify for the SkillsFuture Level-Up Programme?

The programme caters to mid-career Singaporeans aged 40 and above.  As they are more likely to face a higher risk of skills obsolescence and greater opportunity cost of training, with family and work commitments, the programme offers additional support for them to undertake substantial upskilling and reskilling.

1.     What will happen to the Additional SkillsFuture Credit (Mid-Career Support) provided in 2020?

The original expiry date of 31 December 2025 of the Additional SkillsFuture Credit (Mid-Career Support) will be lifted.

On 1 May 2024, the remaining credit balance from the Additional SkillsFuture Credit (Mid-Career Support) was merged with the top-up of $4,000 to form the new SkillsFuture Credit (Mid-Career).

For example, if you have used $300 from your Additional SkillsFuture Credit (Mid-Career Support) account, your balance of $200 will be brought over to your new SkillsFuture Credit (Mid-Career) account. You will therefore see a total of $4,200 in your SkillsFuture Credit (Mid-Career) account from 1 May 2024.
 

2.     I want to use my Additional SkillsFuture Credit (Mid-Career Support) for a course that will not be eligible for SkillsFuture Credit (Mid-Career) after 1 May 2024. When is the latest I can use my Additional SkillsFuture Credit (Mid-Career Support) for such a course?

There will be a transition period, after 1 May, during which the Additional SFC (Mid-Career Support) can be used for courses no longer supported under the SFC (Mid-Career). The conditions are as follows:

1.    you must submit your claim on or before 30 June 2024; and

2.    the course must start on or before 30 June 2024.

Also, in 2020 a one-off SFC top-up of $500 was given to all Singaporeans aged 25 and above, to be used before 31 Dec 2025. SSG will first draw down from this one-off top up, as it has an expiry, before activating the individual’s SFC (Mid-Career) or, during the above transition period, the Additional SFC (Mid-Career Support).

3.     When I make a claim, can I select which SkillsFuture Credit to use?

No, claims that are approved will be deducted from the available balances based on this pre-determined sequence:

a) First, from the time-limited one-off SkillsFuture Credit Top-up of $500 provided in 2020 to those 25 years and above. This allows individuals to utilise the top-up before it expires on 31 December 2025;

b) Followed by the SkillsFuture Credit (Mid-Career) top-up for courses that qualify for it; and

c) Lastly, the SkillsFuture Credit base tier of $500, which can be used on a wider range of programmes.

The SkillsFuture Credit (Mid-Career) and SkillsFuture Credit base tier do not expire.

4.     Why are WSQ courses not eligible?

SkillsFuture Singapore is currently reviewing the WSQ full qualification programmes and will update the SkillsFuture Credit (Mid-Career) course catalogue when the review is completed, if applicable. WSQ courses that are under SkillsFuture Career Transition Programmes (SCTPs) or aligned to training requirements in Progressive Wage Model (PWM) will be eligible for SkillsFuture Credit (Mid-Career).

 

5.     Why are SkillsFuture Series (SFS) and short courses excluded from the $4,000 top-up?

The course catalogue is curated to support substantive reskilling. As such, we have excluded the shorter one-day and two-day courses, including SkillsFuture Series for now, as mid-career workers are likely to require a substantial injection of skills from time to time to stay relevant and progress in their careers. SkillsFuture Series courses will continue to be eligible for the Mid-Career Enhanced Subsidy (MCES) (funded at up to 90%), and individuals can continue to tap on the SkillsFuture Credit (Base Tier) to offset the out-of-pocket course fees. 

SkillsFuture Singapore will review and update the course catalogue over time.

6.     How can I receive updates on SkillsFuture Credit (Mid-Career) and the SkillsFuture Level-Up Programme?

You can indicate your interest to receive updates by signing up for our newsletter  https://go.gov.sg/level-up-interest. 

1.     Why is the Government providing training allowance for mature, mid-career Singaporeans?

We are providing training allowance for Singaporeans aged 40 and above as a form of financial support to partially offset income loss when they take time off from work to pursue substantive reskilling through full-time, long-form training.
 

2.     Why is the SkillsFuture Mid-Career Training Allowance given only for full-time training? How about adult learners undergoing part-time training who also face opportunity costs?

We recognise that individuals may embark on either full-time or part-time training, depending on personal circumstances such as financial situation or family commitment. For those embarking on full-time training, the Training Allowance is provided for the specific purpose of providing them financial support, as they will need to leave their job for the duration of study.

For those embarking on part-time programmes, they can continue to work full-time, as these programmes are typically designed to be work-compatible by scheduling the training during weekday nights or weekends. To lower the cost burden for this group of adult learners, they will continue to receive up to 90% course fee subsidies for MOE/SSG-funded part-time programmes and they can also use their $4,000 SkillsFuture Credit (Mid-Career) to defray the out-of-pocket costs.
 

3.     Why is the SkillsFuture Mid-Career Training Allowance capped at 50% of one’s average monthly income, and capped at $3,000 a month?

The intent of the training allowance is to partially address the income loss. The training allowance is aimed at providing enough coverage for the median mid-career worker, while preserving the incentive for them to return to work.
 

4.     Why is the SkillsFuture Mid-Career Training Allowance limited to 24 months over an individual’s lifetime?

24 months will cover more than one bout of full-time upgrading via the SkillsFuture Career Transition Programme and at least half the duration of a full qualification programme at the IHLs.
 

5.     How will the SkillsFuture Mid-Career Training Allowance be computed?

It will be computed at 50% of the individual’s average monthly income, based on the latest available 12-month period of income data in the Government’s records. The training allowance payout will be capped at $3,000 per month.

More information on the SkillsFuture Mid-Career Training Allowance will be provided in Q4 2024.
 

6.     When can individuals start applying for SkillsFuture Mid-Career Training Allowance? What are the requirements to qualify for SkillsFuture Mid-Career Training Allowance?

More information on how to apply for TA and the qualifying criteria will be provided in Q4 2024.
 

7.     How can I search for courses that are eligible for SkillsFuture Mid-Career Training Allowance?

More details will be released in Q4 2024. You can indicate your interest to receive updates by signing up for our newsletter at https://go.gov.sg/level-up-interest.
 

8.     Why can’t the SkillsFuture Mid-Career Training Allowance be made available earlier than 2025?

As time is needed to develop the application and disbursement system, we are only able to implement the SkillsFuture Mid-Career Training Allowance from early 2025 onwards.
 

1.     Where can mid-career Singaporeans find the list of full-time diploma courses available? How can they apply for the courses?

The list of full-time diplomas and the application periods for admission can be found on the institutions’ websites.

Institution	Applications open in:
ITE (Technical/Technical Engineering Diploma)	Mid-December (Main Phase)
Polytechnics (via Direct Admissions Exercise)	Mid-January
Arts Institutions (NAFA, LASALLE)	Early-October

2.     How much do mid-career Singaporeans aged 40 years and above have to pay to obtain another full-time diploma?

Singaporeans aged 40 years and above will qualify for enhanced funding of up to 90% of programme cost under the SkillsFuture Mid-Career Enhanced Subsidy. Individuals may refer to the websites of the respective institutions for a breakdown of the subsidised fees payable.
 

3.     Are Singapore citizens aged 40 years and above who are currently pursuing another full-time diploma eligible for the funding support?

Yes, they will be eligible for the funding support for semesters commencing from Academic Year 2025 onwards.

4.     For Singapore citizens who turn 40 years old only after the course commencement period, are they still eligible for the funding support to pursue another full-time diploma?

From Academic Year 2025, Singaporeans will qualify for the funding support for course semesters commencing in the year that they turn 40 years old.