How to Learn Skills that are Outside the Scope of Your Scholarship

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There are some graduates who will ultimately face this dilemma – that certain skills that they want to learn are not within the scope of their scholarship. It could be that these skills are also necessary in the career they are pursuing. Others want to learn new skills which may be of use to them in the workplace. Some need to learn skills for jobs outside of the workplace so that they could augment their income.

If you happen to be one of these individuals with this dilemma, here are some tips that will help you to learn skills that are outside your scholarship’s scope...

1) Be observant in the workplace

During your internship or on the job training, be observant of the tasks that are frequently being assigned not only to you, but to the other full time employees as well. It will give you an idea not only about the required core skills; you will also discover other skills that might be needed in the workplace. For example, if the organisation creates visuals to showcase their products but hire expensive photographers, you might want to consider honing your photography skills.

2) Consider updating yourself tech-wise

Practically every company and organisation has a solid tech base. If you only know the basics of the various programs that are being used in the company, now is the time for to you do in-depth tech studies and update yourself on these software’s latest features. Although you are still on a scholarship, the company may be enticed to hire you full time if they see that you are taking the initiative to update yourself on tech.

3) Don't forget SkillsFuture

If you haven’t visited your account yet, now is the time to learn how to claim SkillsFuture credit. The SkillsFuture programme offers more than 10,000 courses on various skills. Apply for a course and earn a part time diploma for new skills that you have learned.

4) Satisfy your need for personal satisfaction

It should be emphasised that if you want to learn new skills, don’t do it for the sake of the company or organisation you want to work for. Study because you want to satisfy your personal goals, not to mention your self-interests. Using our example earlier, aside from upgrading your photography skills, you can proceed to your dream of studying filmmaking. In another example, most companies are satisfied that you know English and/or Chinese. If you love to learn languages, you can study others like Bahasa Malay, French, Spanish, Japanese, and Korean. Being fluent in other languages is considered a plus among many organisations.

Is It Possible to Work and Study at the Same Time?

For those people who want to undertake full-time study in Singapore has over 10,000 part time and full time courses to choose from in their SkillsFuture programme. Thousands of individuals have used their SkillsFuture credit of $500 to be able to enrol in courses that would further their skills or enable them to develop new ones which they can use at work.

However, there are certain courses which are just too good to be passed up. The problem is these SkillsFuture approved courses are require full time attendance in a classroom setting. When faced with such a course which you know will be a huge benefit to your career, you find yourself asking the question “Is it possible to work and study full time?”

You’ll be surprised that the answer is YES! But it will entail a lot of changes and sacrifices in your life.

Let’s take a look on how you can juggle both full time study and full time work at the same time...

1) Assess your current circumstances in your workplace.

It is very important that you do a complete assessment of your work circumstances at present. Do you have a fixed schedule which requires you to be in the office for 8 to 10 hours straight? Are there times when work and projects pile up which would necessitate your full attention? If you are running a work schedule as tight as this, part time courses would be a better option for you.

On the other hand, if your workplace runs on flexitime and/or you can work from home, you may be able to study full time.

2) Take note of your position in your workplace.

Have you been recently hired or have yet to complete 1 to 2 years in your workplace? Have you been working for your company for a good number of years? Does your boss rely heavily on your expertise? Do you feel that your position is secure that taking an extended leave for full time study will be granted by your employer? If you are newly hired and/or feel you haven’t gained enough work hours, it would be better to take a part time course instead.

If your position in the company is secure and you know that doing full time study will be to your workplace’s benefit, it is recommended that you discuss the matter with your boss about your intentions. Especially if your boss sees that he will benefit from what you learn, he may permit a flexible time for your studies or, better yet, have the company cover partially or in full your course expenses.

3) Assess your personal circumstances.

Evaluate your personal life. If you are also juggling a busy family life, part time courses would be the better option. The same also applies if you are not healthy and prone to illness when stressed.

If your family is secure and you have enough savings for their needs, and you are physically fit, you can undertake full time studies.

What is SkillsFuture Study Awards: What You Need to Know

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By this time, everyone already knows how to claim their SkillsFuture Credit. But a recent headline in The Straits Times on the SkillsFuture Study Awards has generated a lot of interest among people who want to jumpstart their career with part-time diploma courses in Singapore.

What is the SkillsFuture Study Awards?

The SkillsFuture Study Awards is one of the sub-programmes in the SkillsFuture initiative. Much like the main programme, the awards goal is to enable Singaporeans to develop and, particularly, deepen specialist skills in various competencies.

The keyword here is "SPECIALIST". Because specialist training is more advanced and definitely more expensive, the award aims to give Singaporeans who are in their early to mid-career states an additional monetary award of $5,000 as defrayment for out-of-pocket expenses in the courses that they are taking. This amount can even be used in courses with government subsidies.

Who Are Eligible to Apply for the SkillsFuture Study Awards?

Unlike the SkillsFuture Credit which is for all Singaporeans, the SkillsFuture Study Awards targets very specific sectors. If you happen to be working in the sectors listed below, you can download the application forms via the links below:

• Accountancy Sector | Singapore Accountancy Commission (SAC)
• Air Transport Sector | Civil Aviation Authority of Singapore (CAAS)
• Built Environment Sector | Building and Construction Authority (BCA)
• Design Sector | DesignSingapore Council (Dsg)
• Disability Employment Professionals | SG Enable (SGE)
• Early Childhood Sector | Early Childhood Development Agency (ECDA)
• Financial Sector | Monetary Authority of Singapore (MAS)
• Food Services Sector | SPRING Singapore (SPRING)
• Healthcare Sector | Ministry of Health (MOH)
• Infocomm Technology Sector | Infocomm Media Development Authority (IMDA)
• International Business | International Enterprise Singapore (IE Singapore)
• Land Transport Sector | Land Transport Authority (LTA)
• Logistics Sector | Economic Development Board (EDB)
• Maritime Sector | Maritime and Port Authority of Singapore (MPA)
• Media Sector | Infocomm Media Development Authority (IMDA)

• Persons with Disabilities | SG Enable (SGE)
• Power Sector | Energy Market Authority (EMA)
• Precision Engineering Sector | Economic Development Board (EDB)
• Private Security Sector | Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA)
• Retail Sector | SPRING Singapore (SPRING)
• Social Service Sector | National Council of Social Service (NCSS)

Just this October 2016, the Singapore Tourism Board announced the launching of the SkillsFuture Study Awards for the Tourism Sector, which includes the following:

• Meeting, Incentive, Convention, and Exhibition (MICE) Sector | Singapore Tourism Board (STB)
• Tourist Guide Sector | Singapore Tourism Board (STB)
• Travel Agent Sector | Singapore Tourism Board (STB)

Since October 2015, over 500 study awards were given to eligible individuals. It is the initiative’s goal to give 2,000 awards in the near future.

Seize the opportunity to apply for the SkillsFuture Study Awards. It’s HUGE savings for getting an invaluable education!