SkillsFuture will help Singaporeans seize new opportunities as lifespans lengthen: PM

As life expectancy increases and Singaporeans embark on multi-stage careers, SkillsFuture will enable them to seize new opportunities, said Prime Minister Lawrence Wong.

- Ng Wei Kai

It will provide programmes for fresh graduates, mid-career workers, as well as those who have been retrenched, to help them make the most of available opportunities, PM Wong said in a video posted to various social media channels on Nov 12.

SkillsFuture is a national movement to promote lifelong learning, administered by SkillsFuture Singapore, a government agency.

Young Singaporeans entering the workforce are equipped with the latest knowledge and skills from school, but will still need to sharpen their skills based on their work requirements, said PM Wong, who is also Finance Minister.

To do this, they can use their SkillsFuture credits, he added.

Mid-career workers, especially those in their 40s or older, face more challenges in upgrading their skills, and in taking time off from work to do so, he said.

To help with this, the Government has implemented the SkillsFuture Level-up Programme, which provides an additional $4,000 in SkillsFuture credits to pay for courses, PM Wong said.

From early next year, everyone aged 40 and above can get 24 months' worth of training allowance of up to $3,000 a month while pursuing these courses, which could lead to many options later in life, he said.