When it comes to learning, age is no barrier. For many Singaporeans aged 40 and above, the SkillsFuture Level-Up Programme marks the start of a new chapter, offering fresh opportunities to grow, progress, and excel in today’s digital-first world. More than just another training scheme, this initiative provides a true skills reboot with targeted support for mature professionals who have to juggle career, family, and personal commitments.
Speaking to two of our keen learners - Jeffrey Ng, 48 and Clarence Lu, 40, highlights how mid-career learning can be a truly rewarding and transformative journey.
After years as Vice President of PMO & IT Governance at Hong Leong Finance where he oversaw IT project management and drove digital initiatives, Jeffrey Ng set out to strengthen his leadership in digital strategy and governance. To achieve this, he enrolled in the NUS-ISS Professional Certificate in Digital Governance.
“I wanted to sharpen my strategic lens on governance, cybersecurity, and emerging technologies,” Jeffrey shares. “The learning was engaging and highly practical, with frameworks directly connected to real-world cases. It gave me sharper insights into digital governance and risk management, and more importantly, the confidence to lead digital strategy with clarity.”
Jeffrey, who is currently on a career break, also adds that funding support made the decision to upskill even easier. “It reduced the financial hesitation and allowed me to focus fully on learning, which made the experience far more rewarding. It shows how strongly Singapore supports lifelong learning.”
As the Head of Key Account Management & Hospitality Acquisition at Red Dot Payment Pte Ltd, Clarence Lu drives key account growth through cross-functional collaboration and client-focused solutions. For him, the NUS-ISS Professional Certificate in Digital Business Strategy was the right fit to strengthen his strategic thinking. “Many of my ideas on strategy lacked structure and framework,” Clarence recalls. “This course helped me gain clarity and equipped me with professional frameworks that I use daily in my work. Moreover, the classes were extremely collaborative, and it was inspiring to learn alongside peers from all walks of life.”
Like Jeffrey, Clarence found the Level-Up funding instrumental. “Professionals often overlook upskilling when we are busy managing teams and workloads. The funding helps defray the cost of pursuing a professional certificate, which can be the first step toward stacking up to a graduate programme. Otherwise, many may choose a different school that is cheaper but overlook the potential to convert it to a NUS-ISS Master of Technology graduate programme,” he shares.
Motivated by his experience, Clarence is already exploring further upskilling opportunities and is in discussions with NUS-ISS on how to make time for the Master of Technology in Digital Leadership.
Both Jeffrey and Clarence are on the same page that the programme offered more than knowledge. Besides giving them renewed confidence, it also opened up opportunities for employability.
“Reskilling gave me the confidence to articulate strategies that resonate with both stakeholders and the C-suite. It has enhanced my employability, from networking to being heard, and with NUS-ISS' strong reputation and rigorous curriculum, employers know the skills I’ve gained are industry-ready,” Clarence says. As Jeffrey shares, “Completing the course has not only strengthened my leadership skills but also increased my employability as I pursue opportunities to drive inclusive, future-ready transformation.”
For mid-career professionals, the Level-Up Programme isn’t just about keeping pace with change. It’s about rediscovering the joy of learning and leading the way forward. To find out more about the eligible programmes and courses offered by NUS-ISS under the SkillsFuture Level-Up Programme, visit our website here