SINGAPORE - Citizens have more than 45 courses at community centres on which to spend their SkillsFuture Credit - the national initiative to encourage lifelong learning.

About 1,000 residents so far have signed up for courses such as fashion, IT and languages at 15 centres around the island since the scheme, which gives citizens $500 to pay for skills upgrade, kicked in this month.

On Saturday morning, the People's Association held a session at Bedok Community Centre to teach senior citizens how to use their $500 credit. They can also sign up for classes, of which more than 200 are available, at booths.

Manpower Minister Lim Swee Say, who is the district's grassroots advisor, said: "We must make SkillsFuture a national movement for everyone... We are bringing (the initiative) to Singaporeans of all ages, and helping them to stay economically, mentally and socially active."