Late 30s and Still Rejected: The Harsh Reality of Upskilling in Singapore

[Dracky]

Skillsfuture's programmes cannot beat availability of FTs.

 

[Heriophant]

In before

Vote wisely

 

[AuraKUPO]

Ownself beh kan no experience, not willing to take lower pay job, not despo enough. Then don't blame the job market

 

[Medicated Oil]

TS, voice it out to your future candidates cc Rambo TSL and LW.
Dun think they are aware of the struggles.

 

[keewee0415]

Keep learning?

True in a sense. Know someone who accumulated lots of certs until he went on to take instructor course for IT and became IT instructor for VMware, AWS, Azure...

He is planning to go into academia next by applying to teach in ITE and Poly.

He is in his late 40s liao.

 

[kensk76]

Normally it is easier if you assume a new role and then up skill from there. But getting the role is another challenge.

 

[FireEmblem]

Got unlimited cheap young labour from neighbouring countries coming in mah.

After age 30, they start to think you too old already

 

[jinsadndepress]

Donch worry , pap say huge chunk of budget to support rise col will be allocate to up skill

Chiu can continue to up skill for the next 30 year while chiur job get taken by ft

 

[firsttimebuyer]

Ownself beh kan no experience, not willing to take lower pay job, not despo enough. Then don't blame the job market

I offered lower pay.

 

[glarerder]

I’m writing this because I need to be honest about something that’s been weighing on me for a while.


A few years ago, I bought into the dream that upskilling would change my life. I signed up for project management modules, took data analytics courses, and spent countless evenings and weekends learning new things. I genuinely believed that if I worked hard enough, if I kept improving myself, I’d eventually land a better job or maybe even start a new career.


But now, after sending out hundreds of job applications—each one painstakingly customised, every cover letter rewritten for the role—I’m still stuck. Most of the time, I don’t even get a reply. When I do, it’s another polite rejection. It’s hard not to take it personally after putting in so much effort.


The truth is, upskilling in your late 30s or beyond isn’t the magic solution it’s made out to be, especially if you are a local. I’ve realised that age really does matter in the job market for s Singaporean, no matter what people say. Employers talk about valuing experience and lifelong learning, but when it comes down to it, they still prefer someone younger, someone who fits neatly into their expectations.


It’s not that I regret learning new things. I’m proud of what I’ve achieved, and I know I’m more capable now than I was before. But the reality is, all these new skills haven’t helped me break through the invisible wall that seems to go up once you hit a certain age. My years of experience in a different field are suddenly “irrelevant,” and my new certificates don’t seem to matter.


I’ve tried networking, reaching out to people, even offering to intern or volunteer just to get a foot in the door. Still, nothing changes. The advice always sounds so simple—“just keep trying, keep learning”—but it’s draining to keep putting yourself out there and getting nothing in return.


I’m not writing this to discourage anyone from learning. But I do think we need to be honest about how tough it is for mid-career Singaporeans in Singapore. Upskilling is important, but it’s not a guaranteed ticket to a new job or a fresh start, especially when employers aren’t willing to take a chance on someone older.


If you’re going through the same thing, I just want you to know you’re not alone. I’m frustrated, tired, and honestly, starting to lose hope. Maybe it’s time we have a real conversation about what mature workers actually need—not just more courses, but real opportunities.

The service providers thank chiu for using their services to upskill and reskill

 

[Sauron]

It's not what you know,it's who you know

 

[Aunt Dino]

I’m writing this because I need to be honest about something that’s been weighing on me for a while.


A few years ago, I bought into the dream that upskilling would change my life. I signed up for project management modules, took data analytics courses, and spent countless evenings and weekends learning new things. I genuinely believed that if I worked hard enough, if I kept improving myself, I’d eventually land a better job or maybe even start a new career.


But now, after sending out hundreds of job applications—each one painstakingly customised, every cover letter rewritten for the role—I’m still stuck. Most of the time, I don’t even get a reply. When I do, it’s another polite rejection. It’s hard not to take it personally after putting in so much effort.


The truth is, upskilling in your late 30s or beyond isn’t the magic solution it’s made out to be, especially if you are a local. I’ve realised that age really does matter in the job market for s Singaporean, no matter what people say. Employers talk about valuing experience and lifelong learning, but when it comes down to it, they still prefer someone younger, someone who fits neatly into their expectations.


It’s not that I regret learning new things. I’m proud of what I’ve achieved, and I know I’m more capable now than I was before. But the reality is, all these new skills haven’t helped me break through the invisible wall that seems to go up once you hit a certain age. My years of experience in a different field are suddenly “irrelevant,” and my new certificates don’t seem to matter.


I’ve tried networking, reaching out to people, even offering to intern or volunteer just to get a foot in the door. Still, nothing changes. The advice always sounds so simple—“just keep trying, keep learning”—but it’s draining to keep putting yourself out there and getting nothing in return.


I’m not writing this to discourage anyone from learning. But I do think we need to be honest about how tough it is for mid-career Singaporeans in Singapore. Upskilling is important, but it’s not a guaranteed ticket to a new job or a fresh start, especially when employers aren’t willing to take a chance on someone older.


If you’re going through the same thing, I just want you to know you’re not alone. I’m frustrated, tired, and honestly, starting to lose hope. Maybe it’s time we have a real conversation about what mature workers actually need—not just more courses, but real opportunities.

What are you currently working as? If your job is too different and there's no way to apply the knowledge gained from the various courses to your current or future roles, all these upskilling is quite pointless.

Unfortunately, it's a fact that employers prefer hiring young freshies, not old freshies even when both are asking for the same pay

 

[Peasantboy]

The link between employment and education is too tenuous for upskilling…

 

[stillgottheblues]

I’m writing this because I need to be honest about something that’s been weighing on me for a while.


A few years ago, I bought into the dream that upskilling would change my life. I signed up for project management modules, took data analytics courses, and spent countless evenings and weekends learning new things. I genuinely believed that if I worked hard enough, if I kept improving myself, I’d eventually land a better job or maybe even start a new career.


But now, after sending out hundreds of job applications—each one painstakingly customised, every cover letter rewritten for the role—I’m still stuck. Most of the time, I don’t even get a reply. When I do, it’s another polite rejection. It’s hard not to take it personally after putting in so much effort.


The truth is, upskilling in your late 30s or beyond isn’t the magic solution it’s made out to be, especially if you are a local. I’ve realised that age really does matter in the job market for s Singaporean, no matter what people say. Employers talk about valuing experience and lifelong learning, but when it comes down to it, they still prefer someone younger, someone who fits neatly into their expectations.


It’s not that I regret learning new things. I’m proud of what I’ve achieved, and I know I’m more capable now than I was before. But the reality is, all these new skills haven’t helped me break through the invisible wall that seems to go up once you hit a certain age. My years of experience in a different field are suddenly “irrelevant,” and my new certificates don’t seem to matter.


I’ve tried networking, reaching out to people, even offering to intern or volunteer just to get a foot in the door. Still, nothing changes. The advice always sounds so simple—“just keep trying, keep learning”—but it’s draining to keep putting yourself out there and getting nothing in return.


I’m not writing this to discourage anyone from learning. But I do think we need to be honest about how tough it is for mid-career Singaporeans in Singapore. Upskilling is important, but it’s not a guaranteed ticket to a new job or a fresh start, especially when employers aren’t willing to take a chance on someone older.


If you’re going through the same thing, I just want you to know you’re not alone. I’m frustrated, tired, and honestly, starting to lose hope. Maybe it’s time we have a real conversation about what mature workers actually need—not just more courses, but real opportunities.

Upskilling is only good when one is already on the job and the gov/ co. pays you to learn what is applicable in your field.

 

[Evil_Boss]

dunno why u all buy into the upskilling nonsense.

SME boss dont see all this.

 

[articland05]

moi recv a resume from FT
26yo with 10yrs experience asking less 3k only

jin satki...start working at 16yo. true or not no one can confirm

how u beat that?

 

[Laguna123]

I offered lower pay.

What’s your expected pay and industry?

 

[waterlucky]

Funeral parlour undertaker and beautician also require upskewing ...is a niche non-competitive area ts can try...

 

[jacko123]

as a employer i want to hire young, cheap, impressionable, high-energy staffs.
i prioritize loyalty, initiative, leadership, character, ability to work in a team more than simi upskilling.

i have had many experiences with people that collect certs think they're holier than thou, only to send them packing after probation. while those got no cert ones put in much more effort and can put those with certs to shame.