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Qualifications talk. Coupled with knowing your job and doing it well, paper qualifications are the key to promotions and a higher salary. No matter what your qualifications are today, SkillsFuture courses are your fastest path to a better pay package.
Singapore Citizens and Permanent Residents are given funding to cover up to 70% of course fees. Citizens above 40 are eligible for SkillsFuture Mid-career Enhanced Subsidy which covers up to 90% of approved course fees. Citizens and PRs who are Persons With Disabilities (PwDs) can receive funding of up to 95%.
With so many incentives to help you help yourself move up in the world, what are you waiting for? Here are the best SkillsFuture courses that you should consider. Most of these courses have minimal prerequisites, meaning you don’t need any experience or qualifications to apply. They can be used to upskill within your industry, branch into a new, more rewarding career, or set up a side gig.
Note: Synchronous e-learning means the program is conducted live remotely. Asynchronous e-learning means that students can access pre-recorded resources in their own time.
Best SkillsFuture courses
1. Starting an Online Business
Institution: Republic Polytechnic
Full Fee: S$510
SkillsFuture Course Cost: S$153
Hours: 16
Why take this SkillsFuture Course
An online business is the perfect side gig– it works and earns money for you 24 hours a day, requires minimal supervision, and is relatively easy to establish. This course shows you how to manage all that and much more.
Not sure where to start at all? The instructors will help you sort through ideas for products and sources with the most potential. They will also introduce participants to common e-commerce platforms, payment methods, shipping and simple marketing.
The workshop concludes with students creating an actionable plan for their online business.
Find out more here.
2. Coding for All (Synchronous e-learning)
Institution: Temasek Polytechnic
Full Fee: S$340
SkillsFuture Course Cost: S$102
Hours: 14
Why take this SkillsFuture Course
Coding skills can give you a hand up in virtually every sector, especially as Gen Artificial Intelligence (AI) spreads to all aspects of daily life and business. This course is perfect for beginners.
It introduces you to programming concepts and the Python programming language through a hands-on and project-based approach. Python proficiency is especially important if you intend to venture into a career in Data Science, which pays higher than average.
Students will gain an understanding of the fundamental constructs of programming and acquire the skills to develop simple programs. The course also explores the applications of GenAI by leveraging tools such as Chat Generative Pre-trained Transformer (ChatGPT).
Find out more here.
3. Data Science Essentials (Synchronous and Asynchronous E-Learning)
Institution: Lithan Academy
Full Fee: S$3,000
SkillsFuture Course Cost: S$1,500
Hours: 60.5
Why take this SkillsFuture Course
If you work in Data Science or want to pivot to a career in that industry, this is a good introduction to the fundamentals. It involves setting up a controlled data study and inferring valid claims from data experiments.
The course focuses on mathematical concepts that you’ll encounter in studies of machine learning. It comprises 8 Instructional Units:
IU1: The Research Process
IU2: Planning for Analysis
IU3: Research Claims & Measurements
IU4: Correlational & Experimental Design
IU5: Equations, graphs and functions
IU6: Derivatives and optimisation
IU7: Vectors & Matrices
IU8: Statistics & Probability
Find out more here.
4. Advanced Communication Strategies: Using Strategic Persuasion To Get What You Want
Institution: Singapore Management University
Full Fee: S$1,600
SkillsFuture Course Cost: S$480
Hours: 16
Why take this SkillsFuture Course
Good communication is a vital asset at work and for life in general, too. This versatile SkillsFuture course shows participants how to use the power of persuasion to break down barriers, build meaningful relationships and use these bonds for success in the workplace.
The skills taught are:
1. communicate clearly and concisely
2. engage people with greater flair and confidence
3. structure and express your ideas in a more convincing and persuasive manner
4. inspire buy-ins
5. build stronger relationships, rapport and credibility with stakeholders
If you are a professional who wants to refine your verbal and written communication, improve clarity, be more persuasive and listen actively, this SkillsFuture course is a good foundation. The skills may be applied to presentation, negotiation and conflict resolution, all of which enhance your employability and career advancement.
Find out more here.
5. Building An Effective Digital Personal Brand
Institution: Nanyang Polytechnic
Full Fee: S$817.50
SkillsFuture Course Cost: S$95.25
Hours: 16
Why take this SkillsFuture Course
In an interconnected world, personal branding is a bridge to business and career relationships that span industries and continents. This SkillsFuture course is designed to help you build closer relationships, ensure corporate success, and achieve professional satisfaction.
It covers branding both on social media and through Google. Hands-on activities will illustrate how the different branding strategies work and their relative effectiveness. Included in the curriculum are methods to boost your brand on Google using different Google tools such as Sites and YouTube.
By the end of the course, learners will be able to develop their unique value proposition using their personal brand and gain a competitive edge over others in terms of employability.
Find out more here.
6. Enterprise Leadership for Transformation – Business Strategy and Execution
Institution: National University of Singapore
Full Fee: S$2,850
SkillsFuture Course Cost: S$855
Hours: 20
Why take this SkillsFuture Course
Even the most successful among us can use some help. This is an advanced course for experienced business founders and owners as well as those in top leadership roles in Singapore Small and Medium Enterprises with annual revenues of at least S$5 million.
This SkillsFuture course links value creation and strategic planning. It emphasises the importance of strategy communication and alignment within the organisation. Through the course, a balanced scorecard will be used to monitor strategy implementation and performance. Participants will also create a Growth/Reinvention Plan to drive innovation and sustainable growth.
Designed by Chief Executive Officers (CEOs) and academia for CEOs and growth leaders, the programme combines classroom learning with ‘doing’, right from the start. SME CEOs and growth leaders will learn from best practices to leverage their strengths and elevate their enterprise to the next level.
Find out more here.
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7. Internet of Things: Innovation and Business Strategy (Synchronous E-learning)
Institution: Nanyang Technological University
Full Fee: S$2,940
SkillsFuture Course Cost: S$882
Hours: 21
Why take this SkillsFuture Course
Designed for PMETs (Professionals, Managers, Executives and Technicians), this SkillsFuture course requires that participants have at least a diploma. It delves into the fascinating world of IoT (Internet of Things).
Rather than treating IoT as a technology, this course presents it as a leadership opportunity, and a mechanism to transform businesses and urban life. Through the program, learners will envision and lead IoT-based transformations, not just understand the technical elements. There are myriad applications in related industries, such as autonomous transportation solutions, supply chain management, smart security systems and smart manufacturing.
Find out more here.
8. Cybersecurity Essentials
Institution: Ask Training
Full Fee: S$900
SkillsFuture Course Cost: S$270
Hours: 24
Why take this SkillsFuture Course
Besides some basic learning and education requirements, this SkillsFuture course is meant for mature candidates over 30 years old with 8 years’ work experience in an ICT-related field. Candidates with other qualifications will be considered on a case-by-case basis.
With cyber threats emerging as one of the major hurdles in an increasingly online world, this course enhances your employability across various industries.
Learners will acquire a comprehensive understanding of cybersecurity fundamentals, how they protect systems and information, grasp key principles including the CIA Triad and understand the roles and responsibilities of cybersecurity professionals.
The Cybersecurity Essentials course offers a comprehensive journey from foundational concepts to practical applications. By the end, trainees will be equipped to wield the tools and knowledge to navigate the cybersecurity landscape confidently, and identify and mitigate prevalent security threats. If you are in IT, this course is almost essential.
Find out more here.
9. Strategic Financial Management
Institution: AccTrainAcademy
Full Fee: S$1,300
SkillsFuture Course Cost: S$650
Hours: 24
Why take this SkillsFuture Course
Professionals, Managers and Executives have a responsibility, whether spoken or unspoken, to uphold their organisation’s financial viability. This Strategic Financial Management SkillsFuture course teaches you how to do that over these topics:
- Calculate Key Ratios for Financial Statements
- Apply CVP Analysis in Cost Planning
- Apply Capital Investment Appraisal Techniques
- Analyse Financial Implications Based on Key Ratios
- Develop Recommendations for Strategic Decision Making
Find out more here.
10. Leveraging Video Content for Online Marketing
Institution: Emarsity
Full Fee: S$900
SkillsFuture Course Cost: S$450
Hours: 16
Why take this SkillsFuture Course
Video content is far more engaging than simply words, and the explosion of platforms such as TikTok and YouTube is proof. To market your business and perhaps even yourself, here is a SkillsFuture course that will set you on the right path.
It is a blog and vlog deployment course designed for organisations and professionals, and covers guidelines and structures for online articles and video content on Facebook, Instagram, TikTok and YouTube.
Learners will be able to identify content niches relevant to their objectives, and execute a content generation plan for an online audience. Here is a breakdown of the topics:
- LO1: Identify different types of blog posts, micro-blogs, videos and infographics
- LO2: Create, implement and manage policies and guidelines on blogging and vlogging
- LO 3: Manage and curate content creation supply chain for blogging and vlogging efforts
- LO 4: Identify and recommend influencers and bloggers to be solicited for content creation
- LO 5: Manage blog and vlog content creation, posting and virality in accordance with guidelines
- LO 6: Monitor, review and evaluation of performance metrics related to blogging and vlogging
Find out more here.
11. Graphic Design Basics – Create Impactful Marketing Collateral in 1 Day
Institution: Temasek Polytechnic
Full Fee: S$300
SkillsFuture Course Cost: S$90
Hours: 7
Why take this SkillsFuture Course
Perfect if you want to establish a side gig, this SkillsFuture course teaches participants how to create digital-based communication collaterals of professional standards.
It covers the basics, starting with the use of the correct typography and layout principles to create visually exciting marketing and promotion materials. Participants will learn how to create visual content, and also know how to make the content visually attractive and conceptual.
Best of all, the course is taught exclusively using freeware image editors, so you can apply all you learn without purchasing subscriptions.
Find out more here.
