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Guide to SkillsFuture Programmes for Every Career Stage

Learning isn’t one size fits all, find which programmes work for you.

sctp skillsfuture programmes


At a Glance

  • Aged 25 and Below: The SkillsFuture Work-Study Programme allows you to gain industry experience while learning.
  • Aged 25 - 39: Use your SkillsFuture Credit to upskill or join SCTP to pivot into a new sector.
  • Aged 40 and Above: Level up with your $4,000 SkillsFuture Credit top-up and subsidies, or use SCTP to reskill and switch careers.

SkillsFuture Programmes Explained: Find the Right Fit for You

Learning looks different at each stage of life. As a fresh graduate, you might be exploring different interests and figuring out which career direction feels right. If you’re a mid-careerist, your focus may shift to deepening your expertise, staying relevant, or even taking a bold step into something new.

Everyone’s journey is different and there isn’t a one-size-fits-all approach to learning. Because of this, there are countless SkillsFuture programmes and initiatives that support you in gaining new skills and exploring your career options, but knowing where to start can feel overwhelming.
 

To make things easier to navigate, we’ve grouped the main SkillsFuture programmes by age eligibility. This helps you see which options you qualify for and how they can support your next step.

 


25 and Below: Students Looking For Industry Experience 

1. SkillsFuture Work-Study Programme (WSP)

  • Eligible for: Singapore Citizens and PRs
  • Benefits: $5,000 sign-on incentive for eligible Singapore Citizens
  • Usage: There are Work-Study Certificates, Diplomas, Post-Diplomas, and Degrees under the WSP
  • Best for: Gaining industry experience while studying
Experience is just as, if not more, important than formal qualifications. The SkillsFuture Work-Study Programme (WSP) leans into that by letting you learn on the job instead of only in a classroom. From certificates to diplomas and degrees, you can be matched to a role in a specific industry and pick up hands-on experience while you train.

With Work-Study Degrees like a Bachelor of Computing at NUS or a Bachelor of Business Management at SMU, you can earn a recognised degree while gaining valuable workplace exposure.

Each programme is tied to specific fields of study, so click the links in the table below to explore your options in more detail.


Work-Study Programme

Who is it for?

Duration

Work-Study Certificate

Fresh grads within 3 years of graduation from ITE and Poly or ORD for full-time NSmen

12 to 18 months

OR

6 to 12 weeks

Work-Study Diploma

Fresh grads within 3 years of graduation from ITE or ORD for full-time NSmen


12 to 36 months

Work-Study Post-Diploma

Fresh grads within 3 years of graduation from Poly or ORD for full-time NSmen

9 to 18 months

Work-Study Degree

Poly and JC grads and working adults

Varies by Bachelor’s degree duration across local universities

 

25 - 39: Early Careerists Building Skills And Experience 

1. SkillsFuture Credit

  • Eligible for: Singapore Citizens aged 25 and above
  • Credit amount: $500 base tier
  • Usage: Any course on the MySkillsFuture portal
  • Best for: Upskilling, exploring interests, or deepening expertise in your career

We have all heard about the SkillsFuture Credit but how many of us have actually used it? These credits can be used for any course on the MySkillsFuture portal so whether you are looking to turn a hobby into a side hustle, explore a new business opportunity, or deepen your expertise in your current career, it’s a simple way to pick up new skills at your own pace.

 

2. SkillsFuture Career Transition Programme (SCTP)

  • Eligible for: Singapore Citizens and PRs aged 21 and above
  • Usage: Part-Time or Full-Time industry-relevant courses
  • Duration: 3 to 12 months
  • Best for: Pivoting to a new sector or job role
While the SkillsFuture Career Transition Programme (SCTP) is often associated with mid-career switches, it’s also open to early-career professionals. If you’re still exploring your options, this is a great way to gain access to training and build confidence. SCTP programmes span a variety of fields, from early childhood, digital marketing, and financial services, so you can gain skills that match your interests and career goals.

Plus, you’ll be supported with employment facilitation and career advisory services, helping you navigate your next career move with guidance every step of the way.

 

 

40 and Above: Mid-Careerists Deepening Skills or Pivoting

1. SkillsFuture Level-Up Programme (SFLP)

  • Eligible for: Singapore Citizens aged 40 and above
  • Credit Amount: $4,000 SkillsFuture Credit (Mid-Career)
  • Usage: Up to 90% subsidies for courses and Training Allowance (TA)
Just as its name suggests, the SkillsFuture Level-Up Programme (SFLP) helps you take your skills to the next level and adapt in an ever-changing economy. The programme provides increased course fee subsidies of up to 90% for all courses funded by the Ministry of Education (MOE) or SkillsFuture Singapore (SSG), including diploma courses.

You also receive a $4,000 SkillsFuture Credit top-up to use on selected longer courses that improve your employability. To make learning more manageable, for full-time training, you can also apply for a Training Allowance between $300 to $3,000 to help offset lost income. Since 1 March 2026, eligible part-time courses will also qualify for a training allowance at a flat rate of $300 per month.

Whether you’re building advanced skills in your current field or exploring something new, the SFLP gives you support to learn without having to worry about the cost.

Skillsfuture level up programme

 

2. SkillsFuture Career Transition Programme (SCTP)

  • Eligible for: Singapore Citizens and PRs aged 21 and above
  • Usage: Part-Time or Full-Time industry-relevant courses
  • Duration: 3 to 12 months
  • Best for: Pivoting to a new sector or job role
For those considering a mid-career switch or looking to refresh their skills, SCTP offers structured support to help you step into a new role or industry. This can be especially beneficial for mid-career switches as the train-and-place programme offers structured support to update your skills and transition smoothly into a new role or industry.

With over 300 courses across 18 sectors, SCTP offers a wide range of learning options. Funding support makes training more accessible: up to 90% of course fees are subsidised under the SFLP mid-career enhanced subsidy, and eligible participants can receive up to 95% funding. You can also use your SkillsFuture Credit, and SCTP courses are eligible for a Training Allowance (TA) to help defray costs while you train.

Part-time options also make it easier to fit training around work and other commitments, giving you the flexibility to learn at a pace that works for you.



Chart Your Next Career Move

Learning shouldn’t stop as you progress in your career. With the right support, you can explore, upskill, or pivot at any stage of your career. 

Having the right guidance can make the next step clearer. To help you navigate available programmes and understand what each involves, Lifelong Learning SG’s Skills Ambassadors provide personalised advice to help you plan your next steps with confidence. And you can conveniently chat with them either online or in-person at your convenience!

For those considering a career switch, you can also keep a lookout for the LLSG’s Career Switch Series on our Events page— it’s a great way to learn about SCTP career pathways.

Career switch early childhood


Our first session kicks off with the Early Childhood sector, where you’ll hear from educators and employers about the training journey, sector expectations, and real experiences on the ground. Find out more here and see firsthand what a career switch into a rewarding early childhood career could look like.



 

FAQs

Interested to find out more about the SkillsFuture Career Transition Programme (SCTP)? Here are some common questions asked.

SCTP is open to all Singaporeans and Singapore Permanent Residents aged 21 years old and above, who are looking for training opportunities to transit to a new sector or job role.


Both unemployed and employed individuals can participate in SCTP courses, as long as they can fulfil training commitments, which include the passing of assessments. 

You will be assessed by the training providers on their suitability for the selected courses prior to enrolment and academic qualifications may be one of the assessment criteria.

As SCTP operates on a Train-and-Place modality, training providers will provide career advisory and employment assistance to help trainees in their job search in relevant sectors or job roles. However, there is no guarantee of a job placement and trainees would need to be open to the job opportunities available.

Visit the MySkillsFuture portal, use the ‘Filter By’ option, and select 'SkillsFuture Career Transition Programme'.

 

 

Posted on 4/8/2026 9:00:00 AM

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