In line with the objectives of SkillsFuture to support and encourage lifelong learning and help Singapore Citizens (SCs) stay responsive to a changing workplace, and in recognition that mid-career individuals may face greater challenges in undertaking training, SkillsFuture Singapore (SSG) has implemented enhanced course subsidies for mid-career individuals from 1 October 2015.
Under this scheme, Singapore Citizens aged 40 and above will enjoy enhanced subsidies of up to 90% of course fees for SSG-supported certifiable courses. Eligible individuals under the Workfare Training Support (WTS) Scheme will continue to receive 95% course fee funding support.
Enhanced Course Fee Subsidies for SSG-supported Courses
Frequently Asked Questions
Course Fees and Financial Assistance
Q: Currently, individuals have to pay full course fees when they sign up for SSG-supported certifiable courses on their own (i.e. without their employer sponsoring them). Will the enhanced subsidies allow them to sign up for these SSG-supported certifiable courses at a subsidised rate?
A: Yes, Singapore Citizens aged 40 and above will enjoy the enhanced course fee subsidy when they sign up for SSG-supported certifiable courses on their own, i.e. they do not need to have an employer to sponsor their training.
Eligible Courses
Q: I have signed up and paid the course fee for a SSG-supported course before 1 Oct 2015. The course will only start after 1 Oct 2015. Will I still be eligible for the enhanced subsidies?
A: Yes, the enhanced subsidies will be applicable to courses commencing on and after 1 Oct 2015.
Q: What about courses or individuals who currently already receive 90% or higher level subsidies?
A: Existing SSG-courses that are already subsidised at 90% or higher will continue to be subsidised at the current levels. These include SSG-supported courses for non-PME level courses conducted at SSG CET Centres, as well as SSG-supported courses for eligible individuals under the Workfare Training Support Scheme.
Q: For Singapore Citizens aged 40 and above, what are the courses and programmes that will be given the enhanced subsidies?
The enhanced subsidies will apply to MOE-funded programmes and SSGsupported certifiable courses. MOE-funded programmes refer to those offered by ITE, Polytechnics, Autonomous Universities and UniSIM:
- Diploma
- Post-diploma (Diploma (Conversion), Specialist Diploma, Advanced Diploma)
- Undergraduate degree
- Postgraduate degree by Coursework (e.g. Post-Graduate Diploma or Masters by Coursework)
Q: Where can I access the list of eligible courses for the enhanced subsidies?
A: The list of SSG-supported courses can be found on SSG’s SkillsConnect website (www.skillsconnect.gov.sg). There are more than 8,000 courses.
Q: I am undergoing training in a SSG-supported course which will end after 1 Oct 2015. Will I still be eligible for the enhanced subsidies?
A: No. The enhanced subsidies are effective from 1 Oct 2015 and will be applicable to courses commencing on and after 1 Oct 2015.
General Questions on the SkillsFuture Mid-Career Enhanced Subsidy
Q: What is the key difference between the enhanced subsidies and other existing training subsidies by MOE and SSG?
A: The enhanced subsidies are only applicable to Singapore Citizens aged 40 and above.
Q: When will the enhanced subsidies for Singapore Citizens aged 40 and above be implemented and when will it expire?
A: The enhanced subsidies will be implemented for MOE-funded full-time and parttime courses ranging from diploma to postgraduate level in publicly-funded universities, polytechnics and ITE for course semesters commencing from 1 July 2015, and for SSG-supported courses with effect from 1 October 2015. They are intended to be a sustained initiative under SkillsFuture.
Q: Why is there a need for enhanced subsidies for Singapore Citizens aged 40 and above? Why is the age set at 40 years old?
A: The Government is increasing the subsidy in recognition that mid-career Singaporeans often require significant re-skilling in the middle of their careers. This additional support from the Government helps address the opportunity costs they face. Mid-career individuals may face higher opportunity costs and competing demands in the form of job and family commitments relative to younger individuals in pursuing training. Hence, the increased subsidies to encourage mid-career individuals to upskill and reskill.
Q: I received government subsidy to pursue a part-time diploma course in the past. Will I be eligible for government subsidy to pursue another part-time diploma course?
A: The provision of subsidies will no longer be limited to the individual’s first parttime diploma qualification. All Singapore Citizens who previously received government subsidy to pursue a part-time diploma course will be eligible to receive subsidies for the second and subsequent part-time diploma courses.
Q: Will the enhanced subsidies for Singapore Citizens aged 40 and above apply to PRs too?
A: Only Singapore Citizens aged 40 and above will be eligible to receive the enhanced subsidies. PRs will continue to receive subsidies at the prevailing subsidy levels.
Q: I received government subsidy to pursue a post-diploma course and graduated from the course within the last 5 years. Would I be eligible for government subsidy to pursue another post-diploma course?
A: Currently, Singapore Citizens who successfully complete a subsidised Advanced Diploma, Specialist Diploma or Diploma (Conversion) programme are only eligible for subsidies for subsequent programmes at the same level if at least five years have lapsed after the completion of the earlier programme. The existing requirement of a five-year gap between post-diploma courses of the same level will be removed for all Singapore Citizens. All Singapore Citizens who are keen to pursue a post-diploma course will be eligible to receive subsidies immediately after their previous post-diploma course.
Q: I am above 40 years old and I received government subsidy for an undergraduate degree course in the past. Would I be eligible for the subsidy to pursue another full-time or part-time undergraduate degree course?
A: Singapore Citizens who have previously received government subsidies or sponsorship for an undergraduate degree will not be eligible to receive subsidies for another full-time or part-time undergraduate degree. However, they will be eligible to receive enhanced subsidies if they pursue modular courses at the degree level.
Q: I am above 40 years old and I received government subsidy for a postgraduate degree in coursework programme in the past. Would I be eligible for the subsidy to pursue another postgraduate degree in coursework programme?
A: Singapore Citizens who have previously received government subsidies or sponsorship for a postgraduate degree in coursework programme will not be eligible to receive subsidies for another postgraduate degree in coursework programme.
