Forum: More SkillsFuture support for people with disabilities an equitable measure

As an autistic adult, I have benefited from courses offered by the Autism Resource Centre (Singapore). Through the SG Enable Training Grant, I have attended courses on self-leadership, independent living, social interaction, photography and AI.

I am also fortunate to have been eligible for the $500 SkillsFuture top-up introduced in 2020 for Singaporeans aged 25 and above. I used these credits to pay for the remaining course fees and GST not covered by the grant, while preserving my original $500 SkillsFuture credits for future learning needs.

This combination of support made continued learning more financially accessible.

I commend the Ministry of Social and Family Development, SkillsFuture Singapore and Workforce Singapore for supporting such initiatives. I also hope the SG Enable Training Grant, which supports people with disabilities (PWDs) by funding up to 95 per cent of eligible course fees, will continue in the long term.

I urge the Government to introduce another SkillsFuture top-up, especially for PWDs and younger adults. Many people with autism face challenges securing, sustaining and advancing in employment, and may therefore earn less than their peers.

Additional SkillsFuture support would therefore not be an unfair advantage, but an equitable measure that enables PWDs to access courses supporting employment, independent living and social participation.

Some individuals with autism may also require structured training in areas such as social interaction, independent living, community living and financial management – skills that many non-disabled people may acquire more intuitively without formal support. SkillsFuture top-ups can help cover remaining training costs not funded by the grant.

I also hope Autism Resource Centre (Singapore) will curate more intermediate and advanced courses for autistic learners ready to progress further, including advanced artificial intelligence, advanced practical financial planning, and advanced digital or technological skills.

Suitably qualified PWDs could also be engaged and fairly compensated as trainers for selected courses. Peer-led learning can provide relatable perspectives while creating meaningful employment opportunities for PWD trainers.

Such investments would help empower PWDs to participate more fully in society and contribute meaningfully to Singapore.

Wesley Loh