Mid-Career Toolkit: Resources to help you thrive amidst uncertainty

You have significant work experience, but still have years to gain more skills, pursue leadership roles, and earn a higher salary.

At least, that’s how the global job portal Indeed defines you, the mid-career professional.

You are considered mid-career if you have between 10 and 25 years of experience in an average 40-year career. This means that mid-career individuals are typically in their 30s to 50s.

With these characteristics, you’re likely to spend most of your career life at this stage. Therefore, it makes sense that you would want to thrive in your “middle age”.

Here’s the bad news—it’s getting harder to do so.

NTUC’s pre-Budget 2025 survey on economic sentiments found that 34 per cent of around 2,000 respondents were worried about losing their jobs.

The trade union body noted that mid-career workers generally feel this concern more acutely.

Out of the workers aged 35 to 54 who responded to the 2025 survey, only 59 per cent felt that there would be sufficient good jobs in the market.

The Ministry of Manpower’s (MOM) Labour Force in Singapore figures released in January this year indicated that workers aged 40 and above stay unemployed for longer than their younger counterparts.

In 2024, some 5,000 workers aged 50 and over were unemployed for more than a year. Meanwhile, there were 1,600 unemployed individuals in the 40-49 age group and around 1,700 in the 30-39 age group.

Now, the good news is that Singapore is going all out to support your career needs and ambitions.

Whether you’re looking to make a job switch or searching for a new job, here’s a list of programmes to help you navigate those mid-career blues.

Get help with career change

• Mid-Career Pathways Programme

The Mid-Career Pathways Programme is a full-time attachment programme for workers aged 40 and above who are looking to switch careers.

At this stage of your life, you probably have many bills to pay and mouths to feed.

Thus, this attachment comes with a monthly training allowance of up to $3,800.

And if your performance is deemed satisfactory, the host company must hire you for at least 12 months upon completion of the programme.

Think of it as a paid internship with a high chance of employment.

You’ll be attached to a host organisation for four to six months to gain industry-relevant skills and experience. The Singapore Business Federation ensures that these stints are meaningful and of good quality, which could go a long way to improve your work prospects.

Visit Workforce Singapore to find out more.

• Career Conversion Programmes

If you prefer more ways to sample a new career, the Career Conversion Programmes (CCP) provides options to boost job security and ease the transition.

To improve your chances of securing a role, the Place-and-Train option requires employers to hire you before training you on the job to take on a new growth job role.

Meanwhile, the Job Redesign Reskilling model may take the sting out of the career transition process. You can continue working at your current company while reskilling for emerging job roles aligned with the Industry Transformation Maps (ITM) and Jobs Transformation Maps (JTM).

ITMs are designed to enhance enterprise capabilities, develop human capital and promote collaboration among industries. JTMs complement ITMs by recommending ways for employers to reskill their workforce in growth jobs. They examine how key trends, such as artificial intelligence and sustainability, impact sector-specific jobs and skills.

With CCPs available in about 30 sectors, including healthcare and infocomm technology, there’s a good chance you’ll find something suitable.

Visit Workforce Singapore to find out more.

Boost employability with skills upgrading

• SkillsFuture Career Transition Programme

If you plan to pivot to a new sector but lack the skills, consider the SkillsFuture Career Transition Programme (SCTP).

Acquire industry-relevant skills through a train-and-place programme that ranges from three to 12 months. Choose from the wide range of courses across 18 industries, including advanced manufacturing, financial services, and infocomm and media.

You’ll also receive additional career advisory and employment assistance to land a new role.

Furthermore, you can choose to train on a part-time or full-time basis, giving you the flexibility to keep your current employment while you’re upskilling.

Also, don’t let training costs stand in the way of your future. Use your SkillsFuture Credit to defray the out-of-pocket expenses incurred after the course fee funding of up to 70 per cent.

The deal is sweeter for workers aged 40 and above—they can receive enhanced subsidies of up to 90 per cent of course fees and cover the remainder with their additional credits.

Workers who have been unemployed for six months or more will receive greater support, with funding of up to 95 per cent.

What this means is that you may end up paying next to nothing to boost your employability.

Visit SkillsFuture Singapore to find out more.

• SkillsFuture Level-Up Programme

When it comes to training, some of you may prefer an option that leads to certification.

The SkillsFuture Level-Up Programme can support your desire for an additional diploma at polytechnics, ITEs and arts institutions.

Again, Singaporeans aged 40 and up will receive a good deal—money to pay the bills while they learn.

The SkillsFuture Mid-Career Training Allowance disburses between $300 to $3,000 to eligible trainees for up to 24 months. The amount is computed at 50 per cent of the individual’s average income over the latest available 12-month period.

From 2026 onwards, you can take a part-time course and benefit from the training allowance of $300 per month to cover incidental training expenses.

Visit SkillsFuture Singapore to find out more.

Receive financial help during unemployment

Some of you may have lost your job due to retrenchment or termination due to an illness or injury.

If you have had little or no success with your job hunt, you may need some money as you continue your journey.

The Jobseeker Support Scheme aims to do just that. It provides temporary support of up to $6,000 over six months to assist you in finding a role that makes better use of your skills and experience.

More than just a handout, it requires you to take ownership of your job search efforts by acquiring points doing activities, such as career coaching or browsing career-related online articles.

Visit Workforce Singapore to find out more.

Steer your career with career guidance

• NTUC Executive Mentorship Programme

Unsure whether to stay or leave your job, or want to progress in your career? The NTUC Executive Mentorship Programme can help you navigate these mid-career dilemmas.

You’ll be matched with experienced industry professionals at the top of their game. Through one-to-one sessions over three months, you’ll gain meaningful advice and resources to make strategic decisions to propel your career forward. You’ll also get a chance to network with other industry experts to learn more and be connected to job opportunities.

Visit NTUC PME to find out more.

• NTUC's e2i Career Coaching

Ready to take the next step in finding a job? Consider consulting with a career coach for guidance on creating a resume, refining your interview skills, and exploring available opportunities.

Drop by NTUC e2i’s (Employment and Employability) jobs and skills centre, which is centrally located at One Marina Boulevard, NTUC Centre, in the heart of the CBD.

Otherwise, if you prefer a venue closer to home, you can also visit one of the other 25 conveniently located e2i career centres across the island.