40% More Sign-Ups for Adult Learner Programmes in Last 5 Years

Increase Driven by Introduction of Shorter, Stackable Micro-credentials at Institutes

- Samuel Devaraj

More adult learners have been signing up for programmes at institutes of higher learning (IHLs), driven by the introduction of bite-size stackable micro-credentials, which have made educational opportunities more accessible.

Senior Minister of State for Education Janil Puthucheary on July 12 said there has been a 40 per cent increase in the last five years.

Speaking at SkillsFuture Festival x NUS 2025 held at the National University of Singapore, he said that in 2024, about 188,000 individuals enrolled in continuing education and training programmes that were supported by the Ministry of Education (MOE) and SkillsFuture Singapore at the IHLs.

This is more than three times the pre-employment training intake, or the number of students enrolled in courses prior to starting work, across the IHLs, Dr Janil, who is also Senior Minister of State for Sustainability and the Environment, added.

He said: "This increase is due to both higher training demand, as well as expanded upgrading pathways and opportunities that are being created."