SINGAPORE – More adult learners have been signing up for programmes at institutes of higher learning (IHLs), driven by the introduction of bite-sized stackable micro-credentials, which have made educational opportunities more accessible.

Senior Minister of State for Education Janil Puthucheary on July 12 said there has been a 40 per cent increase in the last five years.

Speaking at the SkillsFuture Festival × NUS 2025, he said that in 2024, about 188,000 individuals enrolled in continuing education and training programmes that were supported by the Ministry of Education (MOE) and SkillsFuture Singapore at the IHLs.

This is more than three times the pre-employment training intake, or the number of students enrolled in courses prior to starting work, across the IHLs, Dr Janil, who is also Senior Minister of State for Sustainability and the Environment, added.

He said: “This increase is due to both higher training demand, as well as expanded upgrading pathways and opportunities that are being created.”

Dr Janil said IHLs have made their programmes more accessible to adult learners, offering most qualification programmes in the form of stackable micro-credentials for more manageable and flexible learning.

“This allows working adults to better juggle work and upgrading,” he said.

Dr Janil said that following the introduction of work-study programmes enabling participants to earn and learn through training delivered by IHLs and employers, about 1,300 Institute of Technical Education (ITE) graduates today – or 10 per cent of each graduating cohort – enrol in the ITE work-study diploma , achieving good employment outcomes.

He also noted that the Singapore Institute of Technology was set up to provide degree pathways for polytechnic upgraders, while the Singapore University of Social Sciences focuses on giving similar opportunities to adult learners.

He highlighted that the recent expansion of the lifetime cohort participation rate – which refers to the percentage of a cohort given places in MOE-funded degree programmes –  was to provide more publicly funded degree places for adult learners.

Dr Janil said the IHLs have also diversified their continuing education and training offerings beyond full qualifications to offer shorter skills booster programmes such as the SkillsFuture Series, which addresses emerging skills needs in the digital, care and green economies.

He shared that the IHLs are rolling out 54 new courses this year under the SkillsFuture Career Transition Programme. This initiative aims to help mid-career individuals transition into new sectors or explore enhanced job prospects by providing industry-relevant training with employment assistance .

A press release on July 12 announced that these new NUS and SkillsFuture Singapore courses are designed to help mid-career individuals adapt to evolving job demands – from pivoting into new sectors and launching entrepreneurial ventures, to upskilling in emerging areas such as AI and immersive media.

These courses include those to equip individuals with the skills to become a pastry and baking specialist and a wellness professional.

Dr Janil said the new courses means that more mid-career Singaporeans can benefit from these programmes, adding that those aged 40 and above will enjoy 90 per cent course fee subsidies and can offset their remaining out-of-pocket fees using the

$4,000 SkillsFuture Credit

(Mid-Career).

Those who train full-time can also apply for the SkillsFuture Mid-Career Training Allowance.

He urged IHLs to consider advancing their efforts in relation to SkillsFuture in order to keep pace with the rapid evolution of AI. I nstitutions must refresh AI training curriculum and materials at a faster pace, while that adult educators should continually upgrade their skills to ensure that they are up-to-date with industry developments and training methods.

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