FirstCom Academy suspended for not complying with SkillsFuture Singapore’s marketing guidelines

SINGAPORE - Training provider FirstCom Academy will be suspended for three months for using a referral programme for marketing which goes against terms for training providers by SkillsFuture Singapore (SSG).

The company, which provides courses in areas ranging from digital marketing to people management, will be suspended from Jan 1, 2025, to March 31, 2025.

This means that funding subsidies for all its courses that start within this period will be suspended. These courses will not be eligible for government course fee subsidies or SkillsFuture Credit usage.

In a statement on Nov 27, SSG said it has been investigating FirstCom Academy’s marketing practices and course quality since early 2024, following “numerous public feedback”.

The agency will also terminate two of FirstCom Academy’s Workforce Skills Qualifications (WSQ) courses due to lapses in ensuring course quality.

During the suspension period, FirstCom Academy cannot start WSQ courses, said SSG, which coordinates the implementation of the national SkillsFuture movement.

On Nov 27, FirstCom Academy said on Instagram and Facebook that its WSQ course curriculum will be undergoing an improvement process in the first quarter of 2025 to provide a better learning experience.

No WSQ courses and course funding will be available from January to March 2025, it said.

“Please check back on 1st Apr 2025 for updates on our refreshed course schedule. We look forward to introducing a series of exciting new courses,” said the company.

The company declined to comment when contacted.

SSG said FirstCom Academy will be responsible for informing learners who have enrolled in its courses that commence within the suspension period that its courses will not be subsidised by SSG nor be eligible for SkillsFuture Credit. They also cannot attain the WSQ Statement of Attainment since the company cannot start WSQ courses during this time.

Learners whose courses have already begun or start before the suspension period will not be impacted, even if their course will only conclude during that time.

Those whose courses have not started and who do not wish to continue with FirstCom Academy may contact the academy to make alternative arrangements.

They may also approach SSG for a list of similar courses offered by other SSG-registered training providers.

“For WSQ accreditation, courses need to be aligned to the Skills Frameworks’ skills and competencies, which are validated by employers, unions and professional bodies,” said SSG, adding that this is to ensure that the training learners receive are relevant to the industry.

“FirstCom Academy should take this time to improve the practices and standards of their marketing processes and course delivery,” it added. “To maintain public confidence in the lifelong learning system, SSG will not hesitate to take action against training providers found to have engaged in marketing misconduct.”

Penalties range from advisory or warning letters, to suspension and termination. The agency has taken action against two other training providers for non-compliance with SSG’s marketing guidelines in 2024.

Those who come across such training providers can share feedback at skillsfuture.gov.sg/feedback

The Straits Times sent queries to SSG earlier in November about concerns by the public over hard-selling tactics used by FirstCom Academy to enrol participants in its courses.

An applicant told ST that she was told by the company’s promoters that her SkillsFuture Credit would expire soon, although only the one-off SkillsFuture Credit top-up of $500 provided in 2020 will expire on Dec 31, 2025.

The $500 opening SkillsFuture Credit also does not expire.

Based on a referral form seen by ST, the company offered incentives such as $80 in shopping vouchers to refer others to take its courses.

A former employee of the company said it also offered $5 vouchers at the end of the courses in exchange for Google reviews.

SSG guidelines state that the training provider must not provide any referral awards or rewards; conduct any lucky draws; provide gifts or vouchers; or use similar means to incentivise the public to sign up for courses.

Editor’s note: The story has been updated to include the company’s response.