SkillsFuture Singapore to disallow direct third-party marketing for registered training providers with effect from 1 December 2025

Third parties will not be allowed to have direct contact with learners or learners’ data for marketing and course sign up matters, or make any representations on behalf of RTPs. These include:

• Approaching and advertising courses to individuals or companies through face-to-face interactions;

• Approaching and advertising courses to individuals or companies through phone calls, messaging platforms (such as WhatsApp, Telegram, etc) and digital means (such as websites, social media platforms); and

• Making or publishing any representations, whether online, in print, or in person, about the RTPs’ courses to learners.

SSG has observed an increase in public feedback on undesirable marketing practices involving third parties over the past year. These include cases of third-party agents offering rewards to trainees to incentivise course sign-ups, and persuading prospective trainees to enrol in courses that they do not meet the minimum proficiency requirements for, such as persuading seniors to take English-medium courses despite lacking proficiency in the language.   

While not widespread, SSG recognises the heightened risk of the public being subject to misrepresentation, over-promising, or undue influence when third parties are involved. If left unchecked, these bad practices may proliferate, bring the training sector into disrepute, and harm the interests of learners. They may also lead to the compromise of personal data, when third-party agents ask for such data to facilitate course sign-ups.

As such, SSG is taking a proactive approach to disallow RTPs from engaging, requesting or procuring any third-party marketing agents to promote, advertise or market courses directly to learners.  This aims to ensure that course information provided to prospective trainees is accurate and transparent, safeguard their interests, and better help them make informed choices guided by considerations of course quality and relevance.  All RTPs will have to make the necessary arrangements to comply with this measure from 1 December 2025. RTPs can continue to utilise in-house resources to market their courses directly to learners instead.

SSG recognises that in certain scenarios, it is beneficial for RTPs to work with SkillsFuture Queen Bees, Skills Development Partners, and other intermediaries designated by SSG or another public agency, to help reach out to particular segments of companies or professionals. Such intermediaries help to curate impactful and relevant training for the groups they serve, while aggregating demand for the RTPs involved. Such collaborations may involve marketing and promotional activities, which will remain permissible. Beyond these designated entities, RTPs that wish to engage third-party support for marketing efforts must write to SSG to seek approval. Requests will be evaluated on a case-by-case basis.

SSG seeks the support of learners, training providers and employers in safeguarding public trust and confidence in our lifelong learning system. We welcome feedback from members of the public on non-compliant marketing practices by RTPs via the SSG feedback portal at https://service-portal.skillsfuture.gov.sg/s/feedback. We take all feedback seriously and will not hesitate to take decisive actions when needed.