Lifelong learning is a good way to keep your mind in shape.
There is no age limit when it comes to learning so pick up the next subject at the ready.
With retirement, you might find yourself with more time to expand your knowledge and even new projects.
Short courses are a great way to start due to their duration and affordability.
Some of these platforms even optimize apps for on-the-go learning.
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Here is a list of platforms SilverStreak recommends that provide short courses to help you with your lifelong learning:
National Silver Academy
Interested in pickleball? There are free courses available on this current hot sport, at the National Silver Academy (NSA) which was set up by the Council for Third Age (C3A).
There’s a wide range of courses for silvers who want to learn about their passion subjects and stay active.
The short courses offered require a 5% token payment of the course fee and there may be other applicable subsidies.
Some examples are Basics of Smart Money Management ($18) and Brain-Stimulating Workshop through Mental Calculation and Games ($53.20).
National Silver Academy
Website: https://www.c3a.org.sg/
SkillsFuture Credit Applicable: for selected courses
NTUC Learning Hub
An array of Workforce Skills Qualification (WSQ) certified courses are available here at heavily subsidised rates.
For instance, if you are keen on brewing coffee, there are courses on how to process coffee beans and prepare speciality coffees like espressos, lattes and cappuccinos.
Under NTUC Learning Hub, silvers need not pay the original cost of the course, which is $918, inclusive of GST.
Through the subsidies provided, all they have to pay is the total amount of $323, which they can further offset with their Skills Future Credit (SFC)’s.
NTUC Learning Hub
Website: https://www.ntuclearninghub.com/
Vertical Institute
Apart from lifelong learning how about taking a step further and embarking on a semi-retirement project?
The Vertical Institute focuses on tech-based courses that might be handy if you plan on kickstarting a passion project revolving around tech.
The courses are offered in the form of boot camps on subjects such as Data Analytics, Cybersecurity, UX Design, Digital Marketing, Artificial Intelligence, and more.
Learn how search engines work and analyse the trends on social media platforms. It is never too late to be an influencer!
The course costs $1,798.50 and after a 70% subsidy for those aged above 40, the costs will only be $643.50 which can be further offset with SFC’s
Vertical Institute
Website: https://verticalinstitute.com/
SkillsFuture Credit Applicable: for selected courses
Udemy
Global online learning and teaching platform, Udemy, lets you find a course for almost anything.
There are numerous free courses: Deep Tissue Massage, Introductory Photography, the Secret Sauce of Great Writing.
Some are fee based and accredited: Professional Nutritionist Diploma ($64.98), Exercise Adaptions for 50+ Seniors ($25.98), Certificate in Nutrition ($118.98).
These may not enjoy subsidies from the government, but is the price of gaining knowledge ever too much?
Udemy is also available on the Apple App Store and Google Play Store so you can even learn on the go.
Udemy
Website: https://www.udemy.com/
SkillsFuture Credit Applicable: None
Coursera
Coursera is an international platform that partners with over 300 leading universities and companies to curate courses ranging from certification to degree programmes.
These two-hour courses run from three to six months, and you learn at your own pace. They also have free short courses.
Coursera also offers a premium plan called Coursera Plus (USD 59 monthly and USD 399 yearly), which provides unlimited access to their 7,000 courses.
You can also download the app to learn on the go.
Coursera
Website: https://www.coursera.org/
SkillsFuture Credit Applicable: None
Duolingo
Fancy speaking some Swahili? Duolingo offers bit-sized language, maths, and science courses. The gamified app challenges you to improve your score the more you use it.
The app introduces a life system where each incorrect answer loses you a ‘life’. There is also a streak-based system where users who continue to commit to their lessons every day can receive rewards for their diligence.
Users can also attempt a legendary challenge after completing the lesson.
There is also a premium subscription called Super Duolingo that users can subscribe to.
Users can also have unlimited attempts at legendary challenges and receive personalised reviews on mistakes they make.
Premium users can learn at a much faster rate than regular users due to these benefits.
Interesting fact for silvers who grew up watching Star Trek: you can also learn Klingon via the app.
Duolingo
Website: https://www.duolingo.com/
SkillsFuture Credit Applicable: None
