Most Singaporeans have at least $500 in SkillsFuture Credit sitting unused. If you have been thinking about picking up AI skills, that credit can cover most — or even all — of your course fees. Here is exactly how to use it.
What Is SkillsFuture Credit?
SkillsFuture Credit is a government-funded credit given to all Singaporeans aged 25 and above. Every eligible citizen receives an initial $500 credit that can be used to pay for approved courses listed on the MySkillsFuture portal. The credit does not expire and is topped up periodically by the government.
If you are 40 or older, you qualify for additional mid-career top-ups. The Mid-Career Enhanced Subsidy provides an extra $4,000 in SkillsFuture Credit on top of your initial balance. This means mid-career Singaporeans could have $4,500 or more available — more than enough to cover most AI courses entirely.
The credit can only be used for courses listed on the MySkillsFuture portal. You cannot use it for overseas programmes or courses that are not approved by SkillsFuture Singapore (SSG).
Which AI Courses Can I Use It For?
At Vertical Institute, both AI courses are SkillsFuture-eligible and WSQ-certified:
- Generative AI Course (Level 1) — 21 hours of training covering AI fundamentals, prompt engineering, content generation, and practical business applications. Base fee: $1,650 (+GST).
- AI Workflow Automation Course (Level 2) — 21 hours focused on automating business processes with AI tools, building custom workflows, and integrating AI into daily operations. Base fee: $1,300 (+GST).
Both courses are listed on the MySkillsFuture portal. You can search for them using these course IDs:
- Generative AI Course: TGS-2025052529 / TGS-2025060521
- AI Workflow Automation Course: TGS-2026062445
Step-by-Step — How to Claim
The claim process is straightforward. Follow these steps:
- Log in to MySkillsFuture — Go to myskillsfuture.gov.sg and sign in with your Singpass.
- Check your credit balance — Your available SkillsFuture Credit is shown on the dashboard after login.
- Search for the course — Use the search bar to find the course. Search for “Vertical Institute” or the course name directly.
- Click “Use SkillsFuture Credit” — On the course listing page, click the button to apply your credit.
- Enter the amount to claim — You can apply up to the full subsidised fee (after the SSG discount has been applied).
- Submit before your course start date — Your claim must be submitted and approved before the course begins.
- Enrol directly with Vertical Institute — Complete your registration and pay the $10.90 registration fee separately (this cannot be covered by SkillsFuture Credit).
How Much Will You Actually Pay?
Here is a worked example using the Generative AI Course:
| Item | Amount |
|---|---|
| Generative AI Course full fee (incl. GST) | $1,798.50 |
| SSG subsidy (up to 70%) | −$1,155.00 |
| Nett after subsidy | $643.50 |
| SkillsFuture Credit applied | −$643.50 |
| You pay | $0 (+ $10.90 registration) |
Singaporeans aged 40 and above qualify for up to 90% SSG subsidy through the Mid-Career Enhanced Subsidy. This reduces the nett fee even further — meaning you keep more of your SkillsFuture Credit balance for future courses.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
These are the most common errors learners make when claiming SkillsFuture Credit:
- Submitting the claim too late. Your SkillsFuture Credit claim must be submitted and approved before the course start date. If you submit after the course has begun, your claim will be rejected.
- Not checking your credit balance. Log in to the MySkillsFuture portal and verify your available balance before selecting a course. If your balance is lower than expected, you will need to pay the difference out-of-pocket.
- Trying to cover the registration fee. The $10.90 registration fee charged by Vertical Institute cannot be paid with SkillsFuture Credit. This small fee must be paid separately.
- Confusing SkillsFuture Credit with SFEC. SkillsFuture Credit is for self-sponsored individuals. SFEC (SkillsFuture Enterprise Credit) is for employers sponsoring their staff. They are completely different schemes. If your company is paying for the training, they should use SFEC instead.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I use SkillsFuture Credit if my employer is paying for the course?
No. If your employer sponsors the training, they should use SFEC instead. SkillsFuture Credit is for self-sponsored individuals only. You cannot stack employer sponsorship and personal SkillsFuture Credit on the same course enrolment.
What happens if my SkillsFuture Credit is not enough to cover the full fee?
You can pay the remaining balance out-of-pocket or through UTAP if you are an NTUC member. Many learners have enough credit to cover the full subsidised fee after the SSG discount. For example, the Generative AI Course costs $643.50 after the 70% subsidy — well within the $500 initial credit plus any top-ups you may have received.
How long does the SkillsFuture Credit claim take to process?
Claims are typically processed within a few working days. To be safe, submit your claim at least 2 weeks before the course start date. This gives you enough buffer in case any additional verification is needed.
Can I use SkillsFuture Credit for online AI courses?
Yes, as long as the course is listed on the MySkillsFuture portal. Both Vertical Institute courses (Generative AI and AI Workflow Automation) are available in online synchronous format and are SkillsFuture-eligible. You attend live classes via video conferencing — it is not a self-paced pre-recorded course.
Do I get a certificate after completing the course?
Yes. Both courses are WSQ-certified. You will receive a Statement of Attainment (SOA) from SkillsFuture Singapore (SSG) upon passing the assessment with at least 75% attendance. This is a nationally recognised credential.
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