Training providers under SkillsFuture Singapore (SSG) will soon be required to handle marketing for their courses directly, without relying on external promoters.
Effective 1 Dec 2025, SSG will prohibit registered training providers (RTPs) from engaging third-party agents to advertise, promote, or recruit learners, as announced in a press release on 8 Oct.
The ban covers all forms of outreach, including face-to-face sales interactions, phone calls, messaging apps such as WhatsApp and Telegram, and social media promotions.
Source: Castorly Stock on Pexels, for illustration purposes only
This new regulation follows an increase in public complaints about “undesirable marketing practices” over the past year.
SSG highlighted concerns over third-party agents offering rewards to encourage course sign-ups or persuading individuals to enrol in courses for which they were not qualified, such as seniors being convinced to take English-medium courses despite lacking the necessary language proficiency.
“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,” the agency stated.
These tactics, if left unchecked, could tarnish the reputation of Singapore’s training sector and jeopardise learners’ personal data when third parties collect details for registration.
Under the new guidelines, third parties will no longer be allowed to contact learners directly, access personal data, or act on behalf of RTPs in any marketing capacity.
However, training providers can still use in-house resources for marketing, as well as approved intermediaries like SkillsFuture Queen Bees and Skills Development Partners, who help curate relevant training for specific industries or professionals.
Source: SkillsFuture website
If any RTP wishes to work with third-party agents not covered under these designated intermediaries, they must seek written approval from SSG.
Requests will be evaluated on a case-by-case basis.
SSG clarified that public roadshows can still be held, provided that the individuals running them are direct employees of the RTP, rather than independent third-party agents.
Source: SkillsFuture SG on Facebook
Members of the public who encounter non-compliant marketing practices can report them via the SSG feedback portal.
With these new regulations, SSG aims to curb hard-sell tactics, ensure accurate course information, and protect personal data.
By cutting out third-party promoters, SSG hopes to empower learners to make better-informed decisions based on the quality and relevance of courses, rather than being influenced by high-pressure sales methods.
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