Mountbatten MP Gho Sze Kee’s recent parliamentary query about the appropriateness of some SkillsFuture courses has drawn divided views, with some netizens highlighting the benefits of picking up complementary skills.
Ms Gho raised her concerns during a five-hour parliamentary session in on May 5, where a Bill to establish the Skills and Workforce Development Agency (SWDA) was passed.
The merger between SkillsFuture Singapore (SSG) and Workforce Singapore (WSG), SWDA aims to “better integrate jobs and skills strategy and initiatives” in a “complex and faster-changing economy.”
Ms Gho explained that the merger presents a timely opportunity to ask some “hard questions” about whether resources were “deployed efficiently and impactfully” to align with SWDA’s mission.
The Mountbatten MP raised concerns about wine appreciation courses. While acknowledging that some professionals benefit from such classes, Ms Gho said she was surprised to learn that such courses are popular as “participants can enjoy wine and snacks at lower costs than a wine bar.”
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“There appears to be an attitude that since this is public money, one might as well spend it,” Ms Gho fathomed, saying that course fees are covered by SkillsFuture credits.
She added that she had also come across a course on basic washroom cleaning, apparently operated by a provider that specialised in wine appreciation.
Prices of wine appreciation courses covered by MySkillsFuture funding range from $150 to $700. After funding, they cost between $70 and $350. Unsubsidised courses can cost more than $1,000.
