There has never been a better time for financial advisory professionals to enhance their career standing in Singapore, with both the High Net Worth (HNW) Certification and Fellow Chartered Financial Practitioner (FChFP) Certification now eligible for the SkillsFuture Credit. The SkillsFuture Credit is a Singapore government initiative aimed at encouraging individual ownership of skills development and lifelong learning. Eligible Singaporeans can use their SkillsFuture Credit to offset course fees for SkillsFuture Singapore Agency (SSG)-approved courses, such as the HNW Certification and FChFP Certification. Both courses are approved for the Base Tier of the Initiative, where a SGD$500 opening SkillsFuture Credit is available. A one-time top-up was also provided to those aged 25 and above in 2020, which will expire at the end of the year. The HNW Certification and FChFP Certification are also eligible for Institute of Banking and Finance Singapore (IBF) Standards Training Scheme (IBF-STS) funding up to 70 per cent, providing an enormous financial incentive for those who enrol this year. Both courses are delivered by the Insurance and Financial Practitioners Association of Singapore (IFPAS) and its international education partner Kaplan Professional Australia, with accreditation from the IBF under the Skills Framework for Financial Services Level 2 and Level 3. IFPAS President Mr. Ng Eng Beow said the inclusion of both the HNW Certification and the FChFP Certification under SkillsFuture Credit reinforces Singapore’s commitment to upskilling the financial advisory sector. “At IFPAS, we believe in continuous professional development; this initiative makes it easier for professionals to invest in their education without financial barriers, ultimately raising the standards of financial advisory services in the country. “With the financial advisory landscape evolving rapidly, professionals must equip themselves with specialised knowledge to cater to diverse clients – both courses offer practical, in-depth training that enhances credibility and career prospects. “With SkillsFuture Credit now available, there is no better time to take the next step in professional growth,” he said. Kaplan Professional Australia CEO Mr. Brian Knight said both courses were invaluable for early and mid-career professionals looking to make their mark in Singapore’s competitive wealth management space. “Both courses have proven to be popular since they were introduced, with individuals from over 30 corporate institutions having completed them – particularly benefiting from a peer-to-peer learning environment led by industry experts in a face-to-face setting. “The FChFP Certification focuses on practical, client-centric solutions in financial advisory, covering advanced areas such as risk management, retirement and estate planning, and legacy planning. “The HNW Certification explores managing wealth for the high-net-worth segment, with an emphasis on asset protection and wealth preservation and management strategies, family office and trust structures, market analysis, as well as behavioural finance and client engagement skills. “Those who complete the FChFP Certification will earn the FChFP designation awarded by the Asia Pacific Financial Services Association (APFinSA) and recognised by its nine-member countries; the Certified HNW Adviser designation is highly revered for its ability to build a solid reputation, gain client trust, and stay competitive in Singapore’s HNW sector,” he said. For those eager to commence either course in 2025, the following intakes are available for new applicants: HNW Certification: February, April and July. Apply here > FChFP Certification: March, May, July and September. Apply here >