1. What is SkillsFuture Career Transition Programme (SCTP)?

SCTP is an initiative by SkillsFuture Singapore (SSG) for mid-career individuals to acquire industry-relevant skill sets that employers are looking for. It is a Train-and-Place programme such that the SCTP trainees will attend training courses and application ­centric work project-focused activities, and at the same time, programme partners will offer employment facilitation and career advisory services to the trainees.

2. How will SCTP courses be conducted?

The SCTP courses are designed to help trainees acquire industry-relevant skills that can improve their employability and allow them to pivot to new sectors or job roles. The delivery modes of the courses vary, but generally includes a combination of in-person training, online learning, and project work with mentorship.

3. Will SCTP lead to job placements?

As SCTP operates on a Train-and-Place modality, LHUB 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 are encouraged to be open to the job opportunities available.

1.  Who can apply for SCTP?

The SCTP is open to all Singaporeans and Singapore Permanent Residents 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 minimum entry requirement and training commitments, including minimum attendance requirements and passing of assessments.

2. Can individuals who are recent graduates / undergraduates / NSmen apply for SCTP?

Trainees have to be at least 21 years old (in the calendar year of programme commencement) to be enrolled into SCTP. Recent graduates / undergraduates / NSmen are welcome to apply for the programme, as long as they can fulfil minimum entry requirement and training commitments, including minimum attendance requirements and passing of assessments. As the SCTP is intended to help mid-careerists transit to new sectors or job roles, priority will be given to mid-career individuals.

3. Will trainees need to have certain minimum academic qualifications to sign up for the SCTP?

Trainees will be assessed on their suitability for the selected courses prior to enrolment and academic qualifications will be one of the assessment criteria.

4. Will SkillsFuture Singapore (SSG) allow trainees, who did not manage to find a job after completing a course, to take up another course under the SCTP?

Yes, trainees who did not manage to find a job after completing the SCTP course will be allowed to take another SCTP course. However, the trainees will be subjected to ELI’s assessment on their suitability for the SCTP course. Hence, trainees are strongly encouraged to select SCTP courses based on their career development needs with the aim of securing gainful employment. Individuals who require advice on the relevant skills training to undertake may sign up for one-to-one Skills and Training Advisory sessions via MySkillsFuture.gov.sg or this link https://go.gov.sg/registration-sta.  

5. Are trainees allowed to take on part-time employment during the programme?

As the employment status of the learner is not an eligibility criterion for SCTP, there are no specific restrictions against trainees taking up part-time employment, as long as they continue to fulfil all the training commitments which include minimum 75% course attendance and the passing of assessments.

6. Are company-sponsored individuals eligible for SCTP? 

No, only self-sponsored individuals are eligible for SCTP. 

Do I have to pay for the SCTP? If yes, how much are the course fees and funding schemes available?

Yes, please refer to the price table under the respective SCTP programmes.

a. Baseline Subsidy – Eligible Singapore Citizens and PRs must attain at least 75% training attendance and passed all associated assessments to be eligible to enjoy up to 70% of the course fee. Learners will have to bear the full courses fee upon failure to meet either one of the requirements.

b. Mid-career Enhanced Subsidy (MCES) – Singapore Citizens aged 40 and above must attain at least 75% training attendance and passed all associated assessments to be eligible to enjoy subsidies up to 90% of the course fee.

c. Additional Funding Support (AFS)– Individuals must be Singapore Citizens and meet one of the following eligibility criteria:

i) Long-term unemployed individuals (unemployed for six months or more); or

ii) Individuals in need of financial assistance – ComCare Short-to-Medium Term Assistance (SMTA) recipients or Workfare Income Supplement (WIS) recipients; or

iii) Persons with Disabilities.

2. How can I apply for the additional course fee funding support?

You may let ELI know if you meet the eligibility criteria for additional course fee funding support. The additional course fee funding support will be applied if you fulfil the eligibility criteria.

3. When do I have to pay the training fees?

The nett fees are to be paid upfront before the commencement of the training.

4. Can I use SkillsFuture Credit to pay for the training? What if I do not have sufficient credits?

All self-sponsored individuals can use their SkillsFuture Credit and Additional SkillsFuture Credit (Mid-Career Support) to offset the out-of-pocket course fees for SCTP.

5. Why is there no training allowance for the SCTP Programmes, unlike the previous programmes such as SGUnited Skills Programme (SGUS) and SGUnited Mid-Career Pathways Programme – Company Training (SGUP-CT)?

As per the FAQs listed on SSG’s SCTP website:

“Training allowance was provided under the SGUS and SGUP-CT programmes on exceptional basis to provide basic sustenance support due to the unprecedented disruptions brought about by the COVID-19 pandemic. As a steady-state programme, the funding for the SCTP is aligned to SSG’s prevailing funding model for its other training programmes. Hence, like most other SSG-funded programmes, no training allowance will be provided for the SCTP.”

SSG will ensure that SCTP course fees remain affordable. Additional course fee funding support of up to 95% will be provided to jobseekers with greater needs, and individuals can use their SkillsFuture Credit to defray the out-of-pocket costs of training.”

6. Are trainees allowed to use their Post-Secondary Education Account (PSEA) to pay for SCTP?

Yes, PSEA may be used.

1.What if I do not meet the minimum attendance requirement, fail the programme or drop out of the programme midway? Will I be penalised or required to refund the course fee subsidy?

Trainees are encouraged to complete all modules under a SCTP to fully benefit from the intent of the programme. Similar to existing requirements for other training grants administered by SSG, trainees must fulfil minimum attendance requirements and pass the assessments to qualify for course fee subsidies. Trainees who are unable to meet these requirements, or exit the programme without a valid reason, may be asked to return the course fee subsidy that they have received, including any additional course fee funding support.

2. Can I drop out halfway if I find a job? Will I be penalised?

According to the SCTP programme policy, trainees are encouraged to complete all modules under a SCTP to fully benefit from the intent of the programme. Similar to existing requirements for other training grants administered by SSG, trainees must fulfil minimum attendance requirements and pass the assessments to qualify for course fee subsidies. Trainees who are unable to meet these requirements, or exit the programme without a valid reason, may be asked to return the course fee subsidy that they have received, including any additional course fee funding support.