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SkillsFuture training providers barred from using third-party promoters from Dec 1
www.straitstimes.com
Published Oct 08, 2025, 10:27 AM
Updated Oct 08, 2025, 11:30 AM
SINGAPORE – Training providers under SkillsFuture Singapore (SSG) will be prohibited from using third parties to promote, advertise or market their courses to learners from Dec 1.
The prohibition covers approaching individuals or companies and promoting courses to them through face-to-face interactions, phone calls, messaging platforms such as WhatsApp and Telegram, and on social media platforms.
The move comes after an increase in public feedback about undesirable marketing practices involving third parties over the past year, SSG said on Oct 8.
Cases include third-party agents offering rewards to incentivise course sign-ups, and persuading prospective trainees to enrol in courses for which they do not meet minimum proficiency requirements, it said in a statement.
An example of such a practice is persuading seniors to sign up for English-medium courses despite their lack of proficiency in the language.
“While not widespread, SSG recognises the heightened risk of the public being subjected to misrepresentation, over-promising or undue influence when third parties are involved,” SSG said.
“If left unchecked, these bad practices may proliferate, bring the training sector into disrepute and harm the interests of learners. They may also lead to the compromise of personal data, when third-party agents ask for such data to facilitate course sign-ups.”
From Dec 1, third parties will not be allowed to have direct contact with learners, access their data for marketing and course sign-up matters or make any representations on behalf of the training providers, SSG said.
This proactive approach of disallowing any third-party marketing agents from promoting courses directly to learners aims to ensure that course information provided to prospective trainees is accurate and transparent and safeguards their interests. It will also help learners make more informed choices guided by considerations of course quality and relevance, it added.
All registered training providers will have to make the necessary arrangements to comply with this measure from Dec 1, SSG said.
Training providers can continue to utilise in-house resources to market their courses directly to learners, or work with SSG-designated intermediaries.
“SSG recognises that in certain scenarios, it is beneficial for registered training providers to work with SkillsFuture Queen Bees, Skills Development Partners and other intermediaries designated by SSG or another public agency to help reach out to particular segments of companies or professionals,” it said.
“Such intermediaries help curate impactful and relevant training for the groups they serve, while aggregating demand for the registered training providers involved. Such collaborations may involve marketing and promotional activities, which will remain permissible.”
Beyond these designated entities, registered training providers that wish to engage third-party support for marketing efforts must write to SSG to seek approval. Requests will be evaluated on a case-by-case basis.
Members of the public can submit feedback about non-compliant marketing practices by registered training providers via the SSG feedback portal at
https://service-portal.skillsfuture.gov.sg/s/feedback
www.straitstimes.com
Published Oct 08, 2025, 10:27 AM
Updated Oct 08, 2025, 11:30 AM
The prohibition covers approaching individuals or companies and promoting courses to them through face-to-face interactions, phone calls, messaging platforms such as WhatsApp and Telegram, and on social media platforms.
The move comes after an increase in public feedback about undesirable marketing practices involving third parties over the past year, SSG said on Oct 8.
Cases include third-party agents offering rewards to incentivise course sign-ups, and persuading prospective trainees to enrol in courses for which they do not meet minimum proficiency requirements, it said in a statement.
An example of such a practice is persuading seniors to sign up for English-medium courses despite their lack of proficiency in the language.
“While not widespread, SSG recognises the heightened risk of the public being subjected to misrepresentation, over-promising or undue influence when third parties are involved,” SSG said.
“If left unchecked, these bad practices may proliferate, bring the training sector into disrepute and harm the interests of learners. They may also lead to the compromise of personal data, when third-party agents ask for such data to facilitate course sign-ups.”
From Dec 1, third parties will not be allowed to have direct contact with learners, access their data for marketing and course sign-up matters or make any representations on behalf of the training providers, SSG said.
This proactive approach of disallowing any third-party marketing agents from promoting courses directly to learners aims to ensure that course information provided to prospective trainees is accurate and transparent and safeguards their interests. It will also help learners make more informed choices guided by considerations of course quality and relevance, it added.
All registered training providers will have to make the necessary arrangements to comply with this measure from Dec 1, SSG said.
Training providers can continue to utilise in-house resources to market their courses directly to learners, or work with SSG-designated intermediaries.
“SSG recognises that in certain scenarios, it is beneficial for registered training providers to work with SkillsFuture Queen Bees, Skills Development Partners and other intermediaries designated by SSG or another public agency to help reach out to particular segments of companies or professionals,” it said.
“Such intermediaries help curate impactful and relevant training for the groups they serve, while aggregating demand for the registered training providers involved. Such collaborations may involve marketing and promotional activities, which will remain permissible.”
Beyond these designated entities, registered training providers that wish to engage third-party support for marketing efforts must write to SSG to seek approval. Requests will be evaluated on a case-by-case basis.
Members of the public can submit feedback about non-compliant marketing practices by registered training providers via the SSG feedback portal at
https://service-portal.skillsfuture.gov.sg/s/feedback
