Lower-wage workers can apply for expanded Workfare Skills Support Level-Up scheme from 9 February 2026

 Lower-wage workers in Singapore will be able to apply for the expanded Workfare Skills Support (Level-Up) scheme from 9 February 2026, with successful applicants receiving enhanced financial support to upgrade their skills.

Applications will be for training programmes starting from 1 March 2026, the Ministry of Manpower (MOM) and Workforce Singapore said in a joint press release issued on 29 January 2026.

Under the expanded scheme, eligible workers can receive an allowance of up to S$18,000 per year when undertaking full-time training. Those enrolled in part-time training can receive up to S$3,600 annually.

According to MOM and Workforce Singapore, the enhancements are aimed at making it more financially viable for lower-wage workers to commit to longer periods of structured training.

The expansion of the Level-Up scheme was first announced by Prime Minister Lawrence Wong during Budget 2025, as part of a broader set of measures to strengthen workforce upskilling.

At the time, Mr Wong said the Government would provide more targeted support for workers who need to balance training with ongoing employment and family responsibilities.

He added that workers enrolled in part-time training from early 2026 would receive a fixed monthly allowance of S$300 to help defray learning-related expenses.

The Level-Up programme is designed to support workers aged 30 and above who earn up to S$3,000 a month and are pursuing long-form training.

These training pathways include Nitec courses, diplomas, undergraduate degrees, and courses under the SkillsFuture Career Transition Programme, according to the joint statement.

MOM and Workforce Singapore said the scheme recognises that deeper reskilling often requires longer periods of study, particularly for workers seeking to move into new occupations.

In a further enhancement, the Level-Up scheme will cover multiple periods of long-form training across different stages of a worker’s career.

Eligible workers can receive funding support for up to 24 months of long-form training completed before they turn 40 years old.

They may then receive support for an additional 24 months of long-form training undertaken from the age of 40 onwards, subject to eligibility conditions.

The agencies said this structure allows workers to reskill more than once, reflecting changing industry demands and career transitions over time.

Both the Workfare Skills Support Basic programme and the Level-Up programme share the same eligibility criteria.

Details of these criteria have been published by MOM and Workforce Singapore, allowing workers to assess which scheme best fits their training needs.

Eligible workers can submit applications for the Level-Up scheme from 9 February 2026 through the official government application portal. For more information, visit go.gov.sg/workfare.

MOM and Workforce Singapore said the expanded scheme forms part of ongoing efforts to uplift lower-wage workers through skills upgrading and improved employability.