About Course
In a fast-shifting economy shaped by automation, restructuring and freelance-first work, it’s now imperative for mid-career professionals to build lifestyle ventures that create options beyond traditional employment.
As Singapore navigates rapid economic shifts and evolving workforce expectations, many industries have undergone restructuring, resulting in rising structural unemployment and increased uncertainty, especially for mid-career professionals. With traditional employment pathways becoming less predictable, individuals are seeking more sustainable, flexible, and purpose-driven ways to secure their financial futures.
This programme offers a practical and empowering solution by introducing lifestyle entrepreneurship as a viable, lower-risk pathway for Professionals, Managers, Executives and Technicians (PMETs). Unlike conventional startup courses that focus heavily on high-growth ventures or domain-specific models, it emphasises small, sustainable businesses built around personal values, skills, and lifestyle goals. Participants will repurpose their existing experience while gaining new capabilities in innovation, personal effectiveness, and go-to-market strategies.
Designed to be industry-agnostic and accessible, participants will follow a structured yet flexible framework to ideate, validate, and launch commercially viable passion-driven ventures. They will learn how to build a business that provides meaningful income, autonomy, and work-life balance without the pressure of pursuing rapid expansion or securing external investment.
Beyond business competencies, the programme nurtures an entrepreneurial mindset and offers a clear roadmap for pursuing micro-entrepreneurship or developing a portfolio career. By the end of the journey, participants will be equipped to take charge of their future, generate income on their own terms, and contribute to a more resilient and inclusive economy.
Skills you’ll gain
Business Management
Career Growth and Transition
Entrepreneurship
Who Should Attend
Mid-career professionals exploring entrepreneurial paths. They can include:
- Micro-Entrepreneur
- Lifestyle Entrepreneur
- Solopreneur
Prerequisites
Individuals should possess the following including:
- Good English Proficiency (English language at GCE 'O' Level of C6 and above, or Workplace Literacy skills of Level 6 and above)
- Tech-Savviness: Comfort with using basic digital tools and platforms (e.g., Google Docs, Zoom, and Gen AI tools)
- Clear Entrepreneurial Intent: Participants should have a desire to start their own business or a side project and be committed to applying the course content to their ideas
Learning Outcomes
Topic 1: Finding Your Fit: Ideation for Entrepreneurs
- Develop a Clear Entrepreneurial Mindset: Cultivate the mindset and skills to align business ideas with personal values, strengths, and market needs, using frameworks like Ikigai.
Topic 2: Designing Your First Business Model
- Design Resilient Business Model: Utilise Business Model Canvas and Generative AI to design and assess model options, and build a resilient, lifestyle goal-aligned model, along with delivering a concise pitch with a clear validation plan.
Topic 3: Testing Your Business Idea
- Master Lean Experimentation: Learn how to design and validate business ideas using lean experimentation techniques, focusing on desirability, feasibility, and viability, with a focus on real-world application.
Topic 4: Launching Your Business: Go-To-Market (GTM) Plan
- Implement Effective Go-To-Market Strategies: Gain the skills to design and execute effective go-to-market strategies, leveraging digital marketing tools, funnels, campaigns, and social media tailored to B2B and B2C contexts.
Topic 5: Personal Initiative and Proactive Behaviour in Entrepreneurship: Developing Skills to Take Charge and Drive Success
- Enhance Personal Initiative & Proactive Behaviour: Strengthen personal initiative and proactive behaviours, learning to make decisive, confident moves that align with both entrepreneurial goals and lifestyle aspirations.
Topic 6: Introduction to Social Network and Social Capital
- Build and Leverage Social Network Capital: Develop the ability to build meaningful connections, access resources, and enhance business growth through effective networking strategies.
Teaching Team
Dr. Lim Chon Phung
Adjunct Associate Professor, Business, Communication and Design, Singapore Institute of Technology
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Dr. Yong Hsin Ning
Adjunct Associate Professor, Business, Communication and Design, Singapore Institute of Technology
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Course Details
Schedule
| Course Run | DateS | Topics and Delivery |
|---|---|---|
| Mar 2026 | 2 Mar - 25 May 2026 | In-person classroom facilitated sessions |
| Asynchronous E-Learning | ||
| In-person assessment | ||
| Assignments and project work, self-learning | ||
| Capstone project presentation |
Learning Hours
Total: 270 hours
Synchronous Learning: 78 hours
Asynchronous E-Learning: 186 hours
Assessment: 6 hours
Certificate and Assessment
A Certificate of Participation will be issued to participants who
- Attend at least 75% of the course
- Undertake and pass non-credit bearing assessment during the course
Participants who meet the attendance requirement but do not pass the assessment will receive a Certificate of Participation.
Fee Structure
The full fee for this course is S$10,900.00.
| Funding Category | Eligible Funding | Course Fees Payable After Funding |
|---|---|---|
| Singapore Citizen (Below 40) | 70% | S$3,270.00 |
| Singapore Citizen (Above 40) Funded under SkillsFuture Mid-Career Enhanced Subsidy (MCES) | 90% | S$1,270.00 |
| Singapore Citizen who meets the additional course fee funding support criteria* | 95% | S$770.00 |
| Singapore PR / LTVP+ Holder | 70% | S$3,270.00 |
| Non-Singapore Citizen | Not Eligible | S$10,900.00 |
Note:
- All fees above include GST. GST applies to individuals and Singapore-registered companies.
Additional Course Fee Funding Support Criteria
To be eligible for 95% additional course fee funding support, applicants must be a Singapore Citizen and meet one of the following criteria:
- Long-term unemployed individual (unemployed for six months or more); or
- Person with disabilities; or
- Individual in need of financial assistance – ComCare Short-to-Medium Term Assistance (SMTA) recipient or Workfare Income Supplement (WIS) recipient. Additionally, they should not have received any other funding from government sources in respect of the actual grant disbursed for the programme
SkillsFuture Credit
Learners may use their SkillsFuture Credit and Additional SkillsFuture Credit (S$4,000 Mid-Career Support) to further offset out-of-pocket course fees.
SkillsFuture Mid-Career Training Allowance
Singapore Citizens, aged 40 and above, are eligible for Training Allowance amount of 50% of your average income over the latest available 12-month period, capped at $3,000 per month. Use the calculator to tabulate your Training Allowance.
Frequently Asked Questions
SCTP at SITLEARN
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Who is eligible for SCTP?
The SCTP is open to all Singapore Citizens and Permanent Residents, particularly mid-career individuals looking to transition to new sectors or job roles. Both employed and unemployed individuals are eligible.
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What is the duration of a SCTP at SITLEARN?
The duration of a SCTP at SITLEARN typically ranges from four to six months, depending on the specific programme and its requirements.
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Will the programme lead to job placements for me?
While our SCTP provides career advisory and employment facilitation services to help you in your job search, it does not guarantee job placements. You are encouraged to be proactive and open to job opportunities available.
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Will I need to have certain minimum academic qualifications to sign up for the SCTP?
Minimum academic qualifications may be required for some SCTPs. You will be assessed by our SITLEARN admission and review committee on your suitability for our programme prior to enrolment.
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Can I take up another course under the SCTP if I have not managed to find a job after completing a course?
Yes, you can take up another SCTP if you have not managed to find a job after completing a course. However, your suitability for the new course will be assessed by SITLEARN admission and review committee.
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Do I need to pay the full amount of course fees first then receive SkillsFuture Funding after?
No, you do not need to pay the full amount of course fees upfront. Different tier of SkillsFuture Funding is applied directly to the course fees, reducing the amount you need to pay out-of-pocket.
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Can I use my SkillsFuture Credit and additional SkillsFuture Credit (Mid-Career Support) to offset the out-of-pocket course fees payable?
Yes, you can use your SkillsFuture Credit and additional SkillsFuture Credit (Mid-Career Support) to offset the out-of-pocket course fees payable for SCTP.
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Can I attend 2 SCTP programmes concurrently?
No. You cannot enrol in two SCTP programmes at the same time, whether full-time or part-time, if they overlap. You must complete one SCTP before starting another.
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Can I re-attend the same SCTP programme that I have completed previously?
No. You cannot re-attend the same SCTP programme you have completed previously.
SkillsFuture Course Funding Support
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How do I know if I qualify for SkillsFuture Course Fees Funding Support?
Singapore Citizens, Permanent Residents and LTVP+ holders are eligible for SkillsFuture Course Fees Funding Support on SkillsFuture supported courses.
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If I fail the programme or drop out, what will happen to the funding I’ve received?
If you fail the programme or drop out without a valid reason, you may be required to refund the course fee subsidy you received. Trainees are encouraged to complete all modules and pass the assessments to fully benefit from the programme and retain the funding support.
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What if I turn 40 years old in the middle of the programme?
If you turn 40 years old during the programme, you will become eligible for the Mid-Career Enhanced Subsidy from the month you turn 40. This subsidy can cover up to 90% of programme fees.
SkillsFuture Mid-Career Training Allowance (TA)
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Who is eligible for SkillsFuture Mid-Career Training Allowance?
Singapore Citizens aged 40 years old and above are eligible for SkillsFuture Mid-Career Training Allowance when they enrol into full-time TA Eligible SCTPs.
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When do I apply for SkillsFuture Mid-Career Training Allowance?
You can submit your Training Allowance application up to three (3) months before the programme start date.
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Can I be employed and still be eligible for the SkillsFuture Mid-Career Training Allowance when enrolling into a full-time SCTP?
You can be employed and still apply for the Training Allowance for an eligible full-time training programme. Individuals must meet the full-time training intensity and programme requirements each month in order to receive the monthly payout.
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How do I know how many months of SkillsFuture Mid-Career Training Allowance payout I will receive for the application?
The maximum eligible period in the application refers to the maximum number of months you can receive for the Training Allowance. The actual number of months you will receive for the Training Allowance depends on the actual course duration and fulfilment of the training requirements each month.
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How is my monthly TA computed?
It is computed based on the latest available 12 months of income data from Government records (E.g CPF Board, IRAS) as of course start date.
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What if my course has been deferred or cancelled?
Your TA application will be cancelled, and you will need to re-submit a TA application where your SCTP enrolment will be treated as a new SCTP enrolment.
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What are the programme requirements I need to fulfil in order to receive the monthly training allowances?
You will need to fulfil a minimum of 75% attendance of trainer led sessions for each of the training month of the programme.
Career Coaching for Your Success
Meet Joe Leong: Your Career Coach
Navigating a career transition can feel overwhelming, but you don’t have to do it alone. Joe Leong, an experienced and dedicated career coach, is here to guide you every step of the way. With a strong background in career development and a passion for empowering mid-career professionals, Joe has helped countless individuals identify their strengths, refine their goals, and successfully pivot into new opportunities.
As part of your SCTP journey with SITLEARN, Joe and his team will work closely with you to:
- Clarify your career objectives and align them with the right programme.
- Provide personalised coaching to help you build confidence and stay on track.
- Equip you with strategies and tools to make informed decisions and achieve your goals.
Your success is our priority—and you’ll have the support you need to take the next step in your career with confidence.
About SITLEARN
SITLEARN is the lifelong learning division of the Singapore Institute of Technology, Singapore's first University of Applied Learning. SITLEARN is dedicated to providing high-quality, industry-relevant training and education to professionals and mid-career individuals. Through its innovative Applied Learning approach, SITLEARN equips learners with practical skills and knowledge that are directly applicable in the workplace, helping them stay competitive in the evolving job market.
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