FirstCom Academy to be suspended for flouting SkillsFuture marketing guidelines
The Straits Times|November 28, 2024
Training provider FirstCom Academy will be suspended for three months for using a referral programme for marketing which goes against terms for training providers by SkillsFuture Singapore (SSG).
Shermaine Ang

The company, which provides courses in areas ranging from digital marketing to people management, will be suspended from Jan 1, 2025, to March 31, 2025.

This means that funding subsidies for all its courses that start within this period will be suspended. These courses will not be eligible for government course fee subsidies or SkillsFuture Credit usage.

In a statement on Nov 27, SSG said it has been investigating FirstCom Academy's marketing practices and course quality since early 2024, following "numerous public feedback".

The agency will also terminate two of FirstCom Academy's Workforce Skills Qualifications (WSQ) courses due to lapses in ensuring course quality.

During the suspension period, FirstCom Academy cannot start WSQ courses, said SSG, which coordinates the implementation of the national SkillsFuture movement.

On Nov 27, FirstCom Academy said on Instagram and Facebook that its WSQ course curriculum will be undergoing an improvement process in the first quarter of 2025 to provide a better learning experience.

No WSQ courses and course funding will be available from January to March 2025, it said.

Esta historia es de la edición November 28, 2024 de The Straits Times.

Comience su prueba gratuita de Magzter GOLD de 7 días para acceder a miles de historias premium seleccionadas y a más de 9,000 revistas y periódicos.

Esta historia es de la edición November 28, 2024 de The Straits Times.

Comience su prueba gratuita de Magzter GOLD de 7 días para acceder a miles de historias premium seleccionadas y a más de 9,000 revistas y periódicos.

MÁS HISTORIAS DE THE STRAITS TIMESVer todo
K-pop star Psy's home temporarily seized due to penalty arrears
The Straits Times

K-pop star Psy's home temporarily seized due to penalty arrears

Singer Psy recently had his luxury home in Seoul temporarily seized by the authorities after he failed to pay an administrative penalty imposed by the district office, local media outlets reported on Nov 25.

time-read
1 min  |
November 28, 2024
BTS' Jimin and Jung Kook face off at Billboard Music Awards
The Straits Times

BTS' Jimin and Jung Kook face off at Billboard Music Awards

K-pop supergroup BTS members Jimin and Jung Kook will face off at the upcoming Billboard Music Awards (BBMAs), which will take place on Dec 12.

time-read
3 minutos  |
November 28, 2024
Stefanie Sun fails to nab Taipei Arena for 2025 world tour
The Straits Times

Stefanie Sun fails to nab Taipei Arena for 2025 world tour

It has been a decade since homegrown Mandopop star Stefanie Sun last headlined her own tour, so when her upcoming world tour Aut Nihilo Sun Yanzi In Concert was announced recently, fans went into a frenzy.

time-read
2 minutos  |
November 28, 2024
Society is sick': Actor Ryan Lian after netizens laugh at him for being attacked
The Straits Times

Society is sick': Actor Ryan Lian after netizens laugh at him for being attacked

Local actor Ryan Lian has hit back at netizens who were unkind to him after learning that he was injured in a recent knife attack.

time-read
1 min  |
November 28, 2024
The Straits Times

Binge-worthy K-variety series is a celebration of tenacity and sisterhood

Iron Girls follows the trials and triumphs of four award-winning South Korean actresses who signed up for the toughest roles of their lives – participants of the 2024 World Triathlon Cup in Tongyeong.

time-read
2 minutos  |
November 28, 2024
Problemista's whimsy is wearying, Blitz a conventional WWII drama
The Straits Times

Problemista's whimsy is wearying, Blitz a conventional WWII drama

Alejandro (Julio Torres) from El Salvador is an aspiring toy designer in New York City. With time running out on his American work visa, he becomes personal assistant to an erratic art critic (Tilda Swinton) as his only hope for a sponsored residency.

time-read
2 minutos  |
November 28, 2024
Moana 2 charts familiar waters, but stays buoyant
The Straits Times

Moana 2 charts familiar waters, but stays buoyant

Disney's second voyage with Moana dives deeper into Pacific culture

time-read
2 minutos  |
November 28, 2024
Shrek director tackles animation taboo in Netflix fairy tale Spellbound
The Straits Times

Shrek director tackles animation taboo in Netflix fairy tale Spellbound

Animated films tackling parent separation and divorce are few and far between.

time-read
2 minutos  |
November 28, 2024
New head hopes to offer alternative to 'junk food'
The Straits Times

New head hopes to offer alternative to 'junk food'

General manager of SGIFF Jeremy Chua courts young viewers and social media

time-read
4 minutos  |
November 28, 2024
Music kings take back their crowns
The Straits Times

Music kings take back their crowns

Must-see MV: G-Dragon – 2024 Mama performance medley

time-read
2 minutos  |
November 28, 2024