Gov't to pay lower-wage workers up to $18,000 a year to get degrees

The expanded "Level-Up" scheme replaces short workshops with full diplomas and degrees.

Expanded Workfare Skills Support (Level-Up) scheme has been introduced to make long-term training more accessible for lower-wage workers in Singapore, shifting the focus from short courses to full qualifications.

According to the Ministry of Manpower, the scheme supports workers earning only up to $3,000 a month and aged 30 and above who pursue qualifications such as Nitec, diplomas, degrees, and selected career transition programmes.

Eligible participants in full-time long-form training can receive up to $18,000 a year, calculated at 50% of their average monthly income over the previous 12 months, with a minimum allowance of $300 a month.

Part-time trainees will receive a fixed $300 monthly allowance, capped at $3,600 a year.

The changes replace the earlier Workfare Skills Support model, which mainly subsidised short courses and offered limited income support.

The revised framework reflects the need for extended training to support career mobility and progression into higher-value roles.

Workers can receive funding for up to 24 months of long-form training before age 40, and another 24 months after 40. Eligibility criteria remain unchanged.

Applications open on 9 February 2026, with funding covering training starting from 1 March 2026.

The ministry said the expanded scheme is intended to strengthen workforce resilience and widen the pool of skilled local talent as job requirements continue to evolve.