Continuous learning is becoming increasingly essential for anyone who wishes to remain competitive in a fast-changing professional landscape. In Singapore, SkillsFuture is a national initiative designed to encourage individuals to take ownership of their lifelong learning journey. It provides eligible Singaporeans with SkillsFuture Credits, which can be used to offset course fees for approved training programmes. Whether you aim to deepen your expertise, broaden your skill set, or make a career switch, upskilling can help you stay ahead and adapt to new challenges.
This article highlights SMU Academy's top 10 SkillsFuture courses for professionals who want to enhance their capabilities. It also offers practical guidance on choosing the right course and institution, explains how to check and use your SkillsFuture Credits, and answers common questions about upskilling in today’s workforce.
How to Choose The Right Upskilling Course and Institutions
Choosing the most suitable course involves more than simply browsing through a list of options. It requires clarity on your career goals, a careful review of your current skills, and an understanding of what each training provider offers. Here are some key considerations before committing to a course.
Step 1: Determine Your Career Goals and Identify Skill Gaps
- Set your career direction: Determine whether you want to advance in your current role, change industries, or specialise in a niche area
- Understand the required skills: Research industry trends and review job descriptions to learn which competencies are in demand
- Evaluate your abilities: Pinpoint strengths and areas that need improvement so you know where to focus your efforts
Step 2: Explore Course Providers and Offerings
- Look for trusted institutions: Select training providers with a proven track record of delivering quality programmes
- Review course content: Make sure it is relevant, practical, and matches your objectives
- Consider learning modes: Decide whether online, part-time, or full-time formats suit your schedule best
- Check for career support: Some providers offer networking events, job matching, or mentoring services
Step 3: Assess Relevance and Quality of Courses
- Read feedback from learners: Reviews and testimonials can give valuable insight into course quality
- Ensure industry recognition: Accreditation from professional bodies adds credibility to your qualification
- Examine trainer credentials: Instructors with real-world experience can offer practical perspectives
Step 4: Match the Course to Your Preferences
- Choose a flexible format: Online or short courses may suit busy professionals, while longer certificate programmes delivered after working hours or in hybrid formats offer flexibility to upskill without disrupting work commitments
- Align with your learning style: Decide whether you prefer hands-on activities or theoretical study
Step 5: Seek Guidance and Make Use of Funding
- Consult your workplace contacts: Managers and colleagues may recommend useful courses
- Talk to career and learning solutions advisors: They can suggest programmes aligned with your goals
- Leverage available schemes: Funding options such as SkillsFuture make quality learning more affordable
Most Popular SMU Academy Programmes For Professionals
SkillsFuture-eligible courses are curated and approved programmes that enable Singaporeans to pursue quality education with financial support from the government. These courses are designed to meet the evolving needs of today’s industries and make continuous learning more accessible.
At SMU Academy, we offer a diverse selection of SkillsFuture-eligible courses to help professionals strengthen competencies in key areas such as technology, data, business, and personal development.
1. Data Analytics Using Power BI
Through this Data Analytics Using Power BI course, you can gain practical experience in using Power BI to analyse data and build visual dashboards.
Suitable for: Business professionals, analysts, decision-makers
- Develop skills in data modelling
- Create interactive visualisations
- Generate business insights from data
2. Generative AI: Applications, Prompt Engineering and the power of ChatGPT
Explore how generative AI and prompt engineering can transform productivity and workflows.
Suitable for: Professionals from various industries
- Understand generative AI capabilities
- Design and refine effective prompts
- Implement real-world AI use cases
3. Certificate in Financial Trading
With this Certificate in Financial Trading, you can acquire hands-on trading skills with practical tools and financial market strategies.
Suitable for: Aspiring traders, finance professionals
- Learn technical and fundamental analysis
- Understand market behaviour
- Apply trading tactics and risk management
4. Artificial Intelligence (AI) in Marketing: The Next Leap
Discover how AI technologies can be used in marketing to enhance performance and customer engagement.
Suitable for: Marketing and brand professionals
- Apply AI tools for digital campaigns
- Leverage data for customer insights
- Optimise marketing strategies
5. Certified Artificial Intelligence Governance Professional (AIGP)
Build capabilities in governing AI systems with ethical, regulatory, and compliance frameworks in this Certified Artificial Intelligence Governance Professional (AIGP) course.
Suitable for: Compliance officers, data leaders, tech professionals
- Address AI-related risks
- Understand global governance trends
- Establish AI governance structures
6. Certificate in Nutrition and Wellness
Learn the fundamentals of nutrition and its impact on overall wellbeing and productivity and attain a Certificate in Nutrition and Wellness.
Suitable for: Wellness professionals, HR teams, individuals
- Understand nutrition and diet planning
- Promote corporate wellness initiatives
- Encourage sustainable lifestyle changes
7. Professional Certificate in Coaching
This Professional Certificate in Coaching allows you to develop coaching competencies to foster growth and performance in the workplace.
Suitable for: Managers, HR professionals, aspiring coaches
- Apply coaching models and frameworks
- Enhance communication and listening skills
- Support goal setting and personal development
8. Advanced Certificate in Data Protection Operational Excellence
The Advanced Certificate in Data Protection Operational Excellence strengthens your organisation’s data protection capabilities in line with regulatory requirements.
Suitable for: Data Protection Officers, IT teams, compliance leads
- Improve operational data governance
- Conduct privacy risk assessments
- Embed PDPA compliance practices
9. (SCTP) Advanced Certificate in Generative AI For Digital Marketing Specialist
Learn to harness generative AI tools to drive marketing innovation and efficiency with this (SCTP) Advanced Certificate in Generative AI For Digital Marketing Specialist.
Suitable for: Professionals keen to pursue roles in digital marketing such as Digital Marketing Specialist or Junior Digital Marketing Analyst
- Create AI-driven marketing content
- Enhance audience targeting
- Measure and optimise performance with AI
10. Investment Management – From Knowledge to Practice
Bridge the gap between theoretical knowledge and practical investment skills with this investment management course.
Suitable for: Finance professionals, investors, wealth planners
- Explore asset classes and portfolio theory
- Apply investment strategies
- Understand risk and performance metrics
How to Check and Use SkillsFuture Credits
To use your SkillsFuture Credits, ensure that you have completed these four steps:
- For first-time users, complete your SkillsFuture profile.
- Check your available balance. You can visit the MySkillsFuture website and follow this five-step guide to check your SkillsFuture Credit balance.
- Confirm your claim amount. Note that it has to be less than or equal to your balance or match the full course fee, whichever is lower.
- Submit your claim when paying for the course through the SMU Academy TMS Portal. Applications must be made within 5 to 60 days before the course start date (inclusive).
Refer to our step-by-step guide to claiming your SkillsFuture Credits (Individual) for more information on the next steps.
Staying Ahead Through Lifelong Learning
Professionals who invest in upgrading their skills are better positioned to thrive in an ever-changing workplace. By committing to lifelong learning, you can adapt to new technologies, seize emerging opportunities, and safeguard your career against disruption. SkillsFuture provides a practical and accessible way to enhance your expertise through quality training, with the support of subsidies.
Take the first step today by exploring SkillsFuture-funded courses and building the skills you need for tomorrow. SMU Academy offers a selection of programmes to help you reach your goals.
FAQs on Upskilling for Today’s Workforce
Why is upskilling important?
Upskilling refers to acquiring new or enhanced skills to remain relevant in the workplace. It offers multiple benefits, including:
- Increasing employability and job security
- Opening up opportunities for career advancement
- Improving adaptability to industry changes
- Enhancing professional credibility and confidence
- Expanding your professional network
What skills are important in the workforce?
Both technical skills and soft skills are essential for success. Technical skills are job-specific abilities such as data analysis, programming, project management, or financial modelling. They enable you to perform specialised tasks effectively.
Soft skills are interpersonal and personal attributes that affect how you work and interact with others. They include abilities such as communication, teamwork, emotional intelligence, adaptability, and leadership. Soft skills are crucial because they help professionals build relationships, resolve conflicts, and navigate workplace dynamics effectively.
What are the different types of SkillsFuture Credit support schemes?
SkillsFuture Credit support comes in three forms:
- Opening SkillsFuture Credit: Initial credits of $500 provided to all Singaporeans aged 25 and above. This has no expiry date
- One-off SkillsFuture Credit Top-Up (2020): An additional credit injection of $500 to all Singaporeans aged 25 and above as of 2020. This expires on 31 December 2025
- SkillsFuture Credit (Mid-Career) Top-Up: $4,000 credits for those aged 40 and above to support reskilling and mid-career switches. This has no expiry date
The aim of these schemes is to make learning more accessible and to promote continual upskilling.
Where can I find courses that are subsidised by SkillsFuture Credits?
You can search for eligible courses on the MySkillsFuture portal. Additionally, SMU Academy offers a variety of SkillsFuture-eligible programmes for industries including AI, data analytics, human resources, sustainability and more.
To make learning more affordable, SkillsFuture Credits can also be used on top of other government course subsidies.
Can I use my parents’ SkillsFuture Credits?
No, SkillsFuture Credits are non-transferable.
Each Singaporean aged 25 years old and above has their own account to support individual skills development and lifelong learning. The programme is intended to empower individuals to take charge of their learning, regardless of age or career stage.
