Four training providers warned or penalised by SkillsFuture S'pore for violating marketing guidelines

Agency says public feedback on undesirable practices involving third parties has gone up

- Shermaine Ang and Gabrielle Chan

SkillsFuture Singapore (SSG) has penalised two training providers and warned another two that violated its marketing guidelines in 2024 and 2025.

Acctrain Academy had its contract with SSG terminated on Sept 30 for not supervising the actions of parties marketing its courses, at least one of which paid cash to learners, said SSG on Oct 21 in response to queries from The Sunday Times.

The termination means the firm can no longer receive SSG funding.

The other company penalised is FirstCom Academy, which was suspended from January to March 2025 for using a referral programme to market its courses.

The penalties come ahead of new rules barring SkillsFuture training providers from using third parties to promote their courses from Dec 1, after public complaints about undesirable marketing practices.

"Marketing agents from third parties have a higher risk of deploying aggressive marketing practices to drive sales volume and achieve sales targets, instead of prioritising the value of training for learners," said an SSG spokeswoman.

"If left unchecked, these bad practices may proliferate, bring the training sector into disrepute, and harm the interests of learners," she said, adding that having third-party agents facilitate course sign-ups may also compromise personal data.

The ban is to protect learner interests, SSG said.

ST first reported on FirstCom Academy's suspension in November 2024.

ST has also contacted Acctrain Academy, which runs courses on digital skills, for comment. As at Oct 24, its website was being revamped.

Observers said the lack of safeguards against training providers that have long profited from Skills-Future funding has been a key issue in the adult learning space, with course fee funding reaching millions annually.