Volunteers, kiosks can help retirees utilise SkillsFuture credit

The SkillsFuture Credit is a laudable initiative to encourage lifelong learning among Singaporeans aged 25 and above.

To encourage more citizens aged 50 to 70 to use the credit, community centres could consider setting up kiosks and having more volunteers to assist this group in enrolling in courses and submitting their claims.

Sometimes, their children and grandchildren may be busy or not too helpful in assisting them with such matters.

The Eat Already? and Happy Can Already television programmes are ways of reaching out to seniors about the government schemes available, but rendering more support to them at the community centres would definitely be welcome. In this manner, retirees would find their time better spent pursuing hobbies and keeping themselves more active.

This would be a win-win situation for SkillsFuture Singapore and the community: The former would achieve its target for credit usage, and community needs would be met.

Those aged 70 and above, however, may be glad to pass their credit on to younger family members seeking to learn more.

Some younger Singaporeans who want to pursue various interests are finding the S$500 credit to be inadequate and hoping for top-ups (“Top-up SkillsFuture credit to encourage S’poreans to upgrade”; Feb 21).