Singapore’s SkillsFuture Credit initiative is proving especially popular among workers aged 45 and above, according to new data released by SkillsFuture Singapore. The figures show that Singaporeans aged 45 to 54 account for the highest per-capita usage rate of the S$500 credit, outpacing younger age groups in both enrolment numbers and the diversity of courses undertaken.

The SkillsFuture Credit, introduced in 2016, provides every Singaporean aged 25 and above with S$500 to spend on approved training programmes from a catalogue of over 16,000 courses. The programme was designed to encourage lifelong learning and help workers remain relevant in a rapidly changing economy.

What older workers are studying

Contrary to expectations that older workers might gravitate toward traditional vocational or industry-specific courses, the data shows strong demand for digital skills training among the 45-and-above cohort. The top five course categories by enrolment for this age group were:

1. Digital marketing and social media
2. Microsoft Office and productivity software
3. Data analytics fundamentals
4. Project management (PRINCE2 and PMP)
5. Leadership and management communication

“This tells us something very encouraging about older workers’ motivation,” said a SkillsFuture Singapore spokesperson. “They are not looking for certificates to decorate their wall — they want skills they can apply immediately in their existing roles.”

Employer implications

For HR leaders, the data provides a useful counterpoint to narratives about older workers being resistant to learning or technology adoption. Companies that have actively promoted SkillsFuture Credits among their mature workforce report positive returns, including improved employee engagement scores, reduced voluntary turnover among older workers and measurable productivity gains in units where digital training was concentrated.

The Ministry of Manpower’s re-employment guidelines, which encourage employers to offer employment to eligible workers up to age 67, have also pushed HR teams to think more systematically about how to keep older workers’ skills current and relevant.

Enhanced support for older workers

The government announced that from 2018, workers aged 40 and above would receive a one-time SkillsFuture Credit top-up of S$500, bringing the total available credit to S$1,000. The enhanced support was targeted at workers most at risk of displacement from automation and most in need of reskilling pathways.