ZilLearn, the learning platform developed by Kydon, a key partner in Singapore’s Alliance for Action on EduTech, is joining SkillsFutureSG in making its online learning content available as a subscription-based service accepting government-issued learning credits.

The subscription plan — ZilLearn+ — will curate course content from global knowledge experts, established training providers, and institutes of higher learning. Courses are selected on their andragogical quality, ability to engage learners, and relevance to in-demand skills that Singapore needs.

ZilLearn+ will enable learners to build industry-specific technical skills and cross-industry core transferable skills, such as leadership, negotiation, storytelling, and effective communication.

For the first time, SkillsFuture Credits are eligible for ZilLearn’s curated, bite-sized courses. ZilLearn+ will roll out in December 2021 with more than 1,000 learning hours from the world’s best instructors.

ZilLearn is one of three learning providers participating in the two-year pilot initiative by SkillsFuture Singapore (SSG), a government agency. 

“Singaporeans who subscribe to the digital learning platforms packages can access bite-sized online courses anytime and anywhere, and pick up new skills at their own pace and convenience,” according to an SSG news release.

ZilLearn will also come with a quick career health check-up via ZilLearn Skills. This innovative tool — available in Sept 2021 — will help every person identify skills gaps based on professional goals, whether advancing in a current industry or pivoting to a new sector. In addition, learners will know the skills needed for target job roles, made possible by ZilLearn’s big data insights from 17,000 skills and 3.4 million real-time job postings.

David Yeo, founder and CEO of Kydon, said, “ZilLearn isn’t just about learning; it’s an intentional tool kit for educators and learners alike to share knowledge and close skills gaps, unlocking the potential of our people. As Singapore becomes a skills-based economy, I hope that ZilLearn can help our people become more adaptive and relevant in an engaging and effective way.”

Kydon earlier this week announced a US$1 million skills development fund to rally global online educators and subject experts to create “the right learning right now” to solve the skills crisis that is threatening the future of work.  

“Our partnerships allow ZilLearn to curate a next-generation catalog of industry-defining courses all under one roof,” said Thomas Paris, Kydon’s Chief Learning Architect.

“But more importantly, these SkillsFuture Credits make them accessible to Singaporeans for the first time, without taking out your credit card.” 

SkillsFuture Credits were given to Singaporeans aged 25 and above to encourage ownership of their skills development and continuing education. An opening credit of S$500 was given in 2015, with another S$500 credit given at the end of 2020. In addition, citizens aged 40-60 looking to transition in their careers received an additional S$500 top-up credit. 

According to SkillsFutureSG, as of the end of June 2021, more than 725,000 eligible Singaporeans have used their SkillsFuture Credit since its introduction in 2015 for industry-oriented courses.

“We belong to a special country where the government has been willing and able to help finance, in part or whole, the continuous improvement journey of its citizens, through SSG’s SkillsFuture Credits and other programs,” said Sandy Ng, Kydon’s Chief Strategy Officer.

“We are excited to help SSG innovatively increase the use of these credits to support the agility and adaptability of our people for the changing needs of our economy.”