Self Improvement

6 Most Useful Online Courses Singaporeans Can Take Now To Adapt To The COVID-19 World

Online courses in Singapore


Improvise. Adapt. Overcome. These 3 words could not be any more applicable to us than now, since we’ve got to adjust our lives in the wake of COVID-19.

Whether you’re a fresh graduate or a self-employed person (SEP), Republic Polytechnic’s Academy for Continuing Education (RP ACE) is here to help with a series of online courses you can take to upskill and equip yourself. More than an additional line on your resume, these courses teach practical skills that are in-demand in this COVID-19 world. Here are 6 of the most useful courses to consider.

For more courses to zhng your resume:


1. Starting an Online Business



The online courses will teach you everything from the planning to shipment stage

You don’t have to love online shopping to know that it’s how the majority of us are getting our necessities these days, with COVID-19 reducing footfall in physical retail stores. An online business combines the profitability of retail with the ease of going digital – if you know how to do it right. 

Here’s where this course comes in handy. It will guide you step-by-step in setting up your own online business, from sourcing for suppliers to receiving payment. You’ll come out of it fully equipped to start your e-commerce business, which will be handy to earn some income during this period.

What’s more, this course is offered under the Enhanced Training Support Package (ETSP) scheme which means Singaporean self-employed persons stand a chance to receive a 90% waiver in course fees. To apply for this subsidy, simply submit an application for a Letter of Eligibility (LOE) to e2i Employment and Employability Institute.

You can even get “paid to learn” by tapping into the NTUC Training Fund for a training allowance of $10 per hour! Similarly, companies can claim for absentee payroll by sending employees for ETSP courses. 

Starting an Online Business
Scheme: ETSP
Duration: 16 hours
Dates: 2nd – 3rd July, 20th – 21st July 2020 

Find out more about the course here


2. Digital Marketer Essentials



Digital marketing usually involves discussions with colleagues and clients to come up with feasible campaigns

With so many users on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter, the issue for plenty of businesses isn’t getting people to scroll but to stop scrolling to see what you have to offer. If you’ve found it difficult to reap the benefits of digital marketing, this course will help you understand the field better and capitalise on the huge potential of social media. 

Even if you were born way before the Internet Age, rest assured you’ll be brought up to speed on the latest media trends. Learn web design, social media metrics and the best online advertising practices in this course designed to help you break through to audiences and witness the results of effective digital marketing. 

P.S. Take up a side course on how to create great graphics for social media to complement your knowledge in digital marketing with an additional skill set. 

Digital Marketer Essentials
Scheme: ETSP
Duration: 1 day
Dates: 9th July and 21st July 2020

Find out more about the course here

Create Graphics Like A Pro For Social Media
Scheme: ETSP
Duration: 2 days
Dates: 25th – 26th August, 26th – 27th November 2020

Find out more about Create Graphics Like A Pro For Social Media here.


3. Basic Exercise Science


In this COVID-19 season, health is at the forefront of everyone’s minds. Take your IG home workouts to the next level and tap on the Basic Exercise Science course crafted to help you apply knowledge of the body to enhance physical performance. In less than 20 hours, you’ll be exposed to different domains of sport exercise, including nutrition, weight-management, anatomy and group fitness training


If leading a healthy lifestyle is what you advocate for, a Diploma in Health Sciences (Health Management) course might interest you

If this spikes your interest in improving the well-being of yourself and others, you can go on to attend the Sports Safety Champion course, where you’ll learn how to react to emergencies and manage sports injuries. Who knows, it could be a whole new career option for you – and it all starts with a short online course in basic sports science. 

Basic Exercise Science
Scheme: ETSP
Duration: 16 hours
Dates: 18th – 19th June 2020

Find out more about the course here

Sports Safety Champion
Scheme: ETSP
Duration: 7 hours
Date: 30th June 2020

Find out more about the course here


4. Essentials of Online Facilitation


“Hello, is my mic on? Can you hear me? How to share screen ah?” If you’ve been asking these questions over and over again on video calls for work, this course is for you. More than just Zoom 101, this course will teach you how to effectively facilitate and maximise productivity in online meetings.

The course is split into 2 parts. First, an online self-paced program, and then an online consultation where you can ask questions and gain feedback. With these tips under your belt, you’ll quickly become an efficient trainer and facilitator for future telecommuting work arrangements – particularly useful for teachers doing home-based learning as well.

Essentials of Online Facilitation
Scheme: ETSP
Duration: 8 hours
Dates: 13th – 17th July 2020 (Online Learning) and 20th July 2020 (Consultation)
17th – 21st August 2020 (Online Learning) and 24th August 2020 (Consultation)

Find out more about the course here


5. Specialist Diploma in Supply Chain Management


The impact of the pandemic has brought delivery systems to the forefront, so it’s a great time to consider getting equipped with a Specialist Diploma in Supply Chain Management. With modules that go in-depth into everything from lean processes to new supply chain technology, you’ll be certified and prepared to take on new challenges in the logistics sector.

And where better to learn than in a logistics company to get firsthand experience? The SkillsFuture Work-Study Programmes offer you a head-start in your career and on-the-job training opportunities with company partners like ST Logistics and DHL Supply Chain Singapore. You can look forward to not only gaining newfound knowledge and experience, but also unlocking a potential career pathway with them. 

Specialist Diploma in Supply Chain Management
Scheme: Full-Qualification with Work-Study Option Available
Duration: 270 hours
Dates: Intake starts October 2020 

Find out more about the course here


6. Specialist Diploma in Applied Artificial Intelligence


Whether you’re Team Alexa or Team Siri, we can all agree artificial intelligence is taking the world by storm. From recommending new Netflix shows to chatting with bank customers, AI solutions are in demand all over the world. 

Apart from virtual assistants, this course will also go through concepts like pattern recognition and anomaly detection. With a Specialist Diploma in Applied Artificial Intelligence, you’ll be on top of all the latest AI trends and have the know-how to apply them effectively. Note that this is an in-depth course, so only applicants with relevant diplomas, degrees or work experience will be considered.

Specialist Diploma in Applied Artificial Intelligence
Scheme: Full-Qualification Programme with Work-Study Option Available
Duration: 270 hours
Dates: Intake commences November 2020 

Find out more about the course here


Online courses at RP ACE


As the economy adapts to the COVID-19 situation, we have to adjust along with it. Fortunately with RP ACE, they have courses to help ease the process. Many of them are now online so you can do them from the comfort of your desk and get certified. 

Available to Singapore Citizens and Permanent Residents, the Enhanced Training Support Package (ETSP) also makes things easier for organisations and employees to tide over turbulent periods and brace for quicker recovery.


Take these online courses from the comfort of your home

In addition, apart from the ETSP programs, there are also full-qualification programmes like Work-Study Programmes, Specialist Diplomas, Diplomas and Professional Conversion Programmes. These courses will be taught online, but hands-on sessions are still conducted for lab work. You’ll get a comprehensive syllabus, all without breaking the bank with a wide variety of funding schemes available.

The wide range of courses you can choose from means that there’s something for almost all interests – be it sports, media or design. The skills are applicable to many sectors, making you a valuable asset regardless of your job scope. 

Get any enquiry you might have about the courses answered during RP ACE’s course preview webinar happening on 27th June 2020, 2PM. You’ll be able to find out more about the full-qualification programmes, which will help you to emerge unfazed even in our currently uncertain world. 

Find out more about RP ACE’s Course Preview Webinar here


This post was brought to you by Republic Polytechnic’s Academy for Continuing Education.

Jacinth Chia

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