FirstCom Academy, a training provider in Singapore, has been given a three-month suspension for breaking the rules set by SkillsFuture Singapore ( SSG).
This comes amid layoffs , at the company, which focuses on short Workforce Skills Qualifications ( WSQ ) courses ranging from digital content creation to social media marketing.
SSG stated in a statement on Wednesday that it has been looking into FirstCom Academy’s marketing techniques and lessons quality since earlier this year after receiving public comments.
FirstCom Academy may remain suspended from , Jan 1, 2025 to Mar 31, 2025, over” issues relating to usage of a referral program for marketing, which is non-compliant with SSG’s conditions for education providers”.
During the suspension, FirstCom Academy, which operates four education facilities at Paya Lebar, Woodlands, Chinatown and Tiong Bahru, don’t start WSQ programs.
SSG stated that it will halt funding for FirstCom Academy’s all-new courses beginning in that three-month time. These courses may not therefore be eligible for SkillsFuture Credit use or government course fee subsidies.
According to “lapses in ensuring program quality,” SSG did even terminate two of the coaching provider’s WSQ courses.  ,
According to SSG’s site, the WSQ is a federal login system that” trains, develops, analyses and certifies skills and competencies for the labor”.
Learners who have taken or plan to take classes before the expulsion period will not have an impact, even if those three months are over, according to SSG.
FirstCom Academy’s programs have not yet begun, and those who want to stay with the organization you get in touch with them to discuss alternatives. They may also contact SSG to inquire about related training programs offered by different SSG-registered training companies.
FirstCom Academy is responsible for making it mandatory for affected learners to be informed that they wo n’t be able to obtain the WSQ Statement of Attainment, which is given out after each WSQ course is finished.
FirstCom Academy should take this opportunity to increase the practices and standards set for their advertising procedures and training delivery, according to SSG, who will not hesitate to take legal action against education providers found to have engaged in selling misconduct.
According to a CNA investigation, FirstCom Academy had posted a notice on its web following its suspension.
Our WSQ training education will go through a revision process in Q1 2025 to improve learning experiences. Please take note that during this time frame ( Jan 1 through Mar 31 ), there wo n’t be any WSQ courses or course funding,” it said.