With the deadline approaching fast, most eligible Singaporeans have not utilised the one-off $500 SkillsFuture Credit top-up that is set to expire on December 31, 2025. Introduced during the height of the COVID-19 pandemic to support lifelong learning, this credit remains unused by a significant portion of the population — and time is running out.
Majority Have Not Tapped Their Training Credit
According to SkillsFuture Singapore (SSG), only 28 per cent, or approximately 721,000 Singaporeans, have used the one-off credit since it was made available in October 2020. That leaves over 70 per cent of eligible individuals who have yet to benefit from this government-funded training support.
Since the last update in December 2024, the usage rate has increased by just 2 percentage points, indicating that only about 30,000 additional people have tapped into the credit in recent months.
Expiration Deadline: December 31, 2025
SSG has clarified that this top-up will not be extended beyond 2025. To qualify, eligible individuals must enrol in a course and submit their claims by the end of the year. The one-time credit was issued to all Singaporeans aged 25 and above in 2020 and was intended as a stimulus to encourage upskilling during a period of economic uncertainty.
Importantly, this top-up is separate from other SkillsFuture credits, such as:
- The base $500 credit given at age 25, which does not expire
- An additional $500 given to Singaporeans aged 40 to 60 as of Dec 31, 2020, also non-expiring
- A new $4,000 credit launched on May 1, 2024, for Singaporeans aged 40 and above, which can be combined with the earlier mid-career credit
Courses That Are in Demand
SSG shared that the most popular courses among users span key growth sectors, including:
- Information and Communications Technology (ICT)
- Food and Beverage
- Sales and Marketing
Within these domains, Singaporeans are gravitating toward subjects like:
- Artificial Intelligence (AI)
- Digital transformation
- E-commerce
- Digital marketing
These trends reflect a growing awareness of the need to acquire future-relevant skills as industries rapidly evolve in the digital age.
Encouraging Singaporeans to Upskill
SSG is stepping up efforts to remind citizens of their unused credits. An email reminder campaign was launched in June 2025, alongside the promotion of the Careers and Skills Passport, a digital tool designed to help individuals track and showcase verified skills and receive personalised training recommendations.
Additionally, Singaporeans can access free workshops or one-on-one advisory sessions to help identify courses that align with their career goals or personal interests.
Real-Life Impact: Upskilling for the Future
For professionals like Mr Venkataramanan Ganesh Narayanan, a 55-year-old cybersecurity consultant, the SkillsFuture credit has proven to be more than just a funding tool — it’s been a career enabler. He used his top-up to attend a course in AI and cybersecurity offered by NUS-ISS.
With over two decades of experience advising senior tech leaders, Mr Ganesh saw the importance of staying ahead of the curve. He shared, “I brought the cybersecurity experience I had and combined it with the new information I learnt about AI, and managed to provide better solutions for my clients.”
He urged fellow Singaporeans not to take the opportunity for granted: “Not every country gives its citizens the chance to upskill — we should take it when we can.”
Growing Participation in SkillsFuture Programmes
The momentum for adult education is growing. In its annual update released in April 2025, SSG reported that approximately 555,000 individuals participated in SSG-supported programmes in 2024, up from 520,000 in 2023. Of these, 260,000 used their SkillsFuture credits, a jump from 192,000 the previous year.
SSG’s chief executive, Mr Tan Kok Yam, attributed the increase to stronger initiatives supporting mid-career transitions.
Don’t Let Your Credits Expire
With just over six months remaining, eligible Singaporeans are strongly encouraged to explore the available options and make full use of the expiring $500 top-up. The SkillsFuture portal offers thousands of eligible courses across industries, from short workshops to full certification programmes.
For more details on how to use your credits and book a course, visit the official SkillsFuture website.
