As a Singaporean aged 25 or older, you have a SkillsFuture Credit opening balance of $500, which does not expire.
This credit can be used to offset out-of-pocket fees for eligible skills-related courses, including those that help you strengthen your existing abilities or explore skills outside your field.
But not every useful skill is related to getting ahead at work.
Some skills are invaluable because they can help you feel more prepared in everyday life, especially when someone around you needs help. First aid is one of those skills.
So why not use your SkillsFuture credits to learn something you could carry with you wherever you go?
Why First Aid Is a Skill Worth Having
Emergencies rarely happen at a convenient time or place. They tend to come without warning: a choking incident at lunch, a fall in the bathroom, a sports injury, or a fainting episode on public transport.
When such an emergency occurs, the first few minutes are crucial, and those on the scene are the first people who can provide help before emergency services arrive.
That’s why first aid training is an advantage for every Singaporean, not just those who work in healthcare. Knowing how to respond can help you stay calm, take appropriate action, and support the casualty while waiting for professional medical assistance.
Depending on the training you take, you may learn how to perform CPR to help someone undergoing cardiac arrest, respond to a choking adult or child, manage bleeding or fractures, and deal with incidents like allergies or burns.
Just as importantly, first aid training can help you recognise what not to do. For instance, someone with a suspected neck or head injury should not be moved unnecessarily, and any embedded objects in an injury should not be taken out unless by a medical professional.
Even if you have the best intentions, without proper training, you could easily panic, hesitate, or simply not know where to begin. First aid training gives you the chance to learn and practise the appropriate actions in a structured setting, so you are not relying purely on instinct when you face a real emergency.
First aid training will not replace the expertise of a paramedic or emergency responder. Its purpose is to help ordinary Singaporeans like you recognise an emergency, respond within the limits of your training, and call for appropriate professional help.
How to Use Your SkillsFuture Credit for First Aid Training
Using your SkillsFuture Credit to obtain first aid training in Singapore is a simple process.
Before signing up, make sure the course you’re interested in is listed on MySkillsFuture and that you understand how much of the course fee can be covered by your available credit.
Step 1: Check your SkillsFuture Credit balance
Log in to MySkillsFuture with your Singpass details. Here, you’ll be able to see your available SkillsFuture Credit balance, including your Opening SkillsFuture Credit and, if you’re eligible, your SkillsFuture Credit (Mid-Career).
This will give you a clear picture of how much credit is available before choosing a course.
Step 2: Find an eligible first aid course
On the MySkillsFuture course directory, search for the first aid course you would like to take. Check the course details carefully, including the training provider, course fee, available course runs, and SkillsFuture Credit eligibility.
You can apply for some courses directly through MySkillsFuture. For other courses, you may be redirected to the training provider’s website to complete the registration process.
Step 3: Pay any remaining course fees
Your SkillsFuture Credit can be used to offset eligible course fees, with the exact amount depending on the fee, any applicable subsidies, and your available credit.
If the credit doesn’t cover the full amount, you’ll need to pay the remaining balance according to the training provider’s payment arrangements.
Once your enrolment and payment are sorted, there’s only one thing left to do: learn.
First aid is a practical skill, so make the most of your selected course by actively participating in demonstrations, hands-on exercises, and scenario-based training.
Whether learning how to perform CPR, use an AED, or respond to an injury, applying the correct techniques will help you become more confident about what steps to take in a real emergency.
Find the Right First Aid Course for You in Singapore
Ready to turn your SkillsFuture Credit into a practical skill? Emergencies First Aid & Rescue (EFAR) offers several first aid training programmes designed for different levels of experience:
- If you’re new to first aid, the Standard First Aid with CPR & AED Course covers the essential first aid skills, including CPR and AED use, as well as how to respond to common emergencies and injuries.
- For a specific focus on cardiac emergencies, the Basic Cardiac Life Support (BCLS) + AED Course teaches participants how to recognise cardiac arrest, perform CPR, and operate an AED correctly.
- Our Child First Aid with CPR & AED Course teaches valuable skills for parents, caregivers, family members, and teachers.
- The Occupational First Aid Course teaches participants to apply first aid responses and manage medical emergencies at the workplace.
- Already have first aid training under your belt? Skills can become rusty if they aren’t used regularly. The Standard First Aid Refresher with CPR & AED Course allows you to revisit what you’ve learnt and keep your knowledge up to date.
First aid training courses by EFAR are available on the MySkillsFuture directory, where you can check course details, view available runs, and apply using your SkillsFuture Credit, where eligible.
Whichever course you choose, the goal is to give you practical and potentially life-saving skills you can carry with you long after the training ends.
Invest in Skills That Stay With You
We tend to evaluate “skills” by what they can help us achieve in our professional or academic lives. But some skills, like first aid training, are important for a different reason; they help us be there for the people around us.
Ready to put your SkillsFuture Credit to use?
Sign up for a first aid course with EFAR on MySkillsFuture, or learn more about how EFAR can support your training today.
