SkillsFuture Singapore eyes strengthening regulatory powers against fraud, abuse

SKILLSFUTURE Singapore (SSG) is proposing amendments to two sets of laws to strengthen its regulatory powers against fraud and abuse of its incentives and loans.

The SkillsFuture Singapore Agency (Amendment) Bill, which was tabled in Parliament on Monday (Nov 28), proposes to enhance SSG’s enforcement powers and to prescribe new offences related to “abusive funding arrangements” – transactions aimed at abusing the use of an incentive, grant or loan from the agency.

If the bill is passed, a person convicted of the offence also has to pay a mandatory penalty, in addition to the punishment of a fine or imprisonment, or both.

It would also become an offence for anyone to put up misleading advertisements that a course is funded or accredited by SSG.

The proposed amendments would empower SSG to recover its funds or take steps against those who put up false advertisements.

SSG would also be able to appoint authorised persons and inspectors who can carry out enforcement actions.

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Also tabled on Monday was the Skills Development Levy (Amendment) Bill.

The proposed amendments would clarify what the Skills Development Fund consists of, while consolidating SSG’s enforcement powers against offences related to incentives, grants and loans under the SkillsFuture Singapore Agency Act.