Singapore expands training credits for mid-career workers into new sectors
Summary and headline written by AI from the source article. How we work
Acting Manpower Minister Jasmin Lau announced that Singapore will expand the SkillsFuture Level-Up Programme to include 140 new training courses starting December 1.
The expansion aims to help mid-career workers transition into roles within the technology, maritime and offshore, and financial services industries. The programme provides Singaporeans aged 40 and above with a S$4,000 credit to cover course fees and a training allowance.
The government chose these new courses alongside industry partners to ensure the training leads directly to employment opportunities. For example, the Infocomm Media Development Authority will offer a tech immersion programme that trains workers to become web developers, data analysts, and user experience designers. The expansion also includes about 80 courses that offer the Workforce Skills Qualification across various sectors.
The Skills and Workforce Development Agency noted that participants in some of these courses may receive a mid-career training allowance at a later date. Additionally, workers aged 30 to 39 who earn lower wages can access the Workforce Skills Support to fund long-form training. As of June 30, roughly 80,000 mid-career workers had already used the course credit and over 11,000 had received the training allowance.
The new additions will join a roster of more than 7,000 existing courses covered by the credit.
