The basic steps to enrol in a SkillsFuture course

To enrol in a SkillsFuture course, you need a SkillsFuture account, a course you want to take, and about 10 minutes to complete the booking. Most courses are booked directly through the SkillsFuture portal or through the training provider's own website. You will need your NRIC or FIN number, an email address, and a phone number. Payment happens at the point of booking — some courses are fully funded by SkillsFuture credits, others require you to pay part or all of the cost yourself.

The process differs slightly depending on whether you are using SkillsFuture credits (government-funded training hours) or paying out of pocket. If you have credits, they are automatically deducted when you book. If you are paying, you can usually choose to pay by credit card, debit card, or bank transfer depending on the provider.

Key Takeaways

  • You must create a SkillsFuture account on the official portal before you can book any course.
  • Most courses let you book directly through the SkillsFuture website or the training provider's site, and you will see the cost and credit deduction upfront.
  • Payment is due at booking time, and you will receive a confirmation email with course dates, times, and login details within one business day.
  • If a course is full, you can join a waitlist, and the provider will contact you if a place opens up.
  • You can cancel most courses up to 7 days before the start date and receive a refund or credit back to your account.

Setting up your SkillsFuture account

Go to www.skillsfuture.gov.sg and click "Register" if you do not already have an account. You will need your NRIC or FIN number, a valid email address, and a mobile phone number. The system will send you a one-time password (OTP) to verify your phone number — enter it to complete registration.

Once registered, log in and go to "My Credits" to see how many SkillsFuture credits you have available. Credits are given to all Singapore citizens aged 25 and above, and they do not expire. If you see a balance, you can use it toward any course listed on the portal. If you see zero, you are either not yet may be able to access, or you have already used your allocation.

Finding and booking a course on the SkillsFuture portal

Log in to your SkillsFuture account and click "Browse Courses". You can search by skill, industry, or provider name. Each course listing shows the cost, how many credits it will use, the duration, the schedule, and the provider. Read the course description carefully — it will tell you the learning outcomes, what you need to bring, and whether there are any prerequisites.

Click "Book Now" on the course you want. The system will show you the total cost and how many credits will be deducted. If the course costs more than your available credits, you will see the out-of-pocket amount you need to pay. Review the terms and conditions, then proceed to payment. You will receive a booking confirmation email within a few minutes with your enrolment number, course dates, and any login details you need for an online course.

Booking through a training provider's website

Some training providers let you book directly through their own website instead of the SkillsFuture portal. This is common for larger providers like NTUC Learning Hub, Infocomm Media Development Authority (IMDA), and various polytechnics. When you book this way, you still use your SkillsFuture credits — the provider's system will ask for your SkillsFuture account details and verify your credit balance before confirming the booking.

The advantage of booking through a provider is that you sometimes see more course options or different class times than appear on the main portal. The disadvantage is that you have to navigate each provider's system separately. If you are unsure whether a provider accepts SkillsFuture credits, contact them directly — their course page usually has a link to their booking system or a phone number.

What happens after you book

You will receive a confirmation email within one business day. This email contains your enrolment number, the course start date and time, the location or Zoom link (for online courses), and any materials you need to bring or read. Save this email — you will need the enrolment number if you have questions or need to cancel.

If the course is in-person, arrive 10 to 15 minutes early on the first day. If it is online, log in to the platform (usually Zoom, Google Meet, or the provider's own learning portal) a few minutes before the start time. The trainer will take attendance and go over the course outline in the first session.

Cancelling or changing your course

Most providers allow you to cancel up to 7 days before the course starts. Log in to your SkillsFuture account, go to "My Bookings", find the course, and click "Cancel". Your credits or payment will be returned to your account within 5 to 10 business days. If you cancel fewer than 7 days before the start date, you may lose the credits or payment — check the provider's cancellation policy in your confirmation email.

If you need to change the course date or switch to a different class time, contact the training provider directly. Some providers will move you to another session at no extra cost if space is available. Others may charge a small admin fee or ask you to cancel and rebook.

Troubleshooting common booking problems

You see zero credits but think you should have some: Credits are given to Singapore citizens aged 25 and above. If you are under 25, you are not yet may be able to access. If you are 25 or older and still see zero, your credits may have been fully used on previous courses. You can still book paid courses and pay out of pocket.

The course is full: Click "Join Waitlist" on the course page. The provider will contact you by email or phone if a place opens up. Waitlist spots are usually filled within 1 to 2 weeks, but this varies by course popularity.

You cannot log in to your SkillsFuture account: Click "Forgot Password" on the login page and follow the reset instructions sent to your email. If you still cannot access your account, call the SkillsFuture hotline at 6785 5785 (Monday to Friday, 8:30 am to 5:30 pm) or email support@skillsfuture.gov.sg.

The course page says "credits not applicable": This means the course does not accept SkillsFuture credits and you must pay the full cost yourself. You can still book it if you choose to pay out of pocket.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I book a course if I do not have any SkillsFuture credits left?

Yes. You can still book and pay the full course fee yourself using a credit card, debit card, or bank transfer. The booking process is the same — the system will straightforward show zero credits available and ask you to pay the entire amount.

What if I book a course but do not show up on the first day?

Most providers will mark you as absent. If you miss the first session without notifying the provider, they may remove you from the course and offer your place to someone on the waitlist. Contact the provider when ready if you cannot attend — some will let you join a later session or reschedule.

Do I get a certificate after I finish the course?

Most SkillsFuture courses issue a certificate of completion if you attend at least 75 percent of the sessions and meet any course requirements. The provider will tell you the attendance threshold in your confirmation email. Certificates are usually emailed within 2 weeks of the course end date.

Can I use SkillsFuture credits for courses outside Singapore?

No. SkillsFuture credits can only be used for courses listed on the official SkillsFuture portal, which are all run by approved providers in Singapore. You cannot use credits for overseas courses or providers not on the portal.

What if I want to book a course that is not on the SkillsFuture portal?

You can still take the course and pay for it yourself, but you cannot use SkillsFuture credits. Some courses may be added to the portal later — check the portal again in a few weeks, or contact the training provider to ask if they plan to list the course on SkillsFuture.