Ask anyone what’s SkillsFuture and they’d probably say: “$500.”

Well, it’s true that every Singaporean above 25 gets an initial $500 training credit to kickstart their learning journey but peel off this layer and you’d find there’s a lot deeper going on with SkillsFuture.

Almost like a kueh lapis, if you will.

This national movement (yes, it’s a movement) aims to enable all Singaporeans to develop to their fullest potential and realise their aspirations by taking advantage of a wide range of learning opportunities.

Well, that’s the motherhood statement. What you should really understand is that learning is not a destination; it’s a journey. A life-long one. Self-improvement is imperative in this era.

So here are some of the SkillsFuture initiatives to help Singaporeans pick up new knowledge or master existing skills - whether you are still in school, starting out in your career, been working a few years or in your silver years.

1. For students

There are Education and Career Guidance counsellors from schools, polytechnics and ITEs who will guide students to find their strengths and pursue interests.

The SkillsFuture Earn and Learn programme is specially designed for fresh polytechnics and ITE graduates and gives a $5,000 sign on incentive.

2. For early career folks

The SkillsFuture Study Awards gives you $5,000 to defray your out-of-pocket course expenses

3. For mid-career folks

Those above 40 can look forward to the SkillsFuture Mid-Career Enhanced Subsidy, which subsidises up to 90% for SSG-supported courses and or at least 90% of the programme cost for MOE-subsidised courses.

4. For all the Senpais

Don’t worry, there’s something for the Master Shifu among us too. The SkillsFuture Fellowship gives each overachieving senpai $10,000 so that they can continue to reach new heights of mastery.

Or you can watch this video to find out more:

Next time someone tells you “SkillsFuture is about $500”, you can reply: “Don’t suaku lah.”

This sponsored post fuels Mothership’s writers so that we can continue to pick up new skills like animation and video editing and produce more and better work so that we can earn a living.