NTUC, IBF aim to upskill 100,000 finance professionals in AI over three years

• NTUC and IBF aim to equip up to 100,000 finance professionals with AI skills by 2029.

• A new IBF-accredited AI course by NTUC LearningHub can help workers apply Generative AI effectively and responsibly.

• Eligible finance professionals can receive up to 70 per cent funding support for the AI Foundation for Finance Professionals programme through IBF.

NTUC and the Institute of Banking and Finance (IBF) are stepping up efforts to help finance professionals stay relevant and future ready as AI continues to reshape the industry.

Over the next three years, NTUC and IBF plan to equip up to 100,000 finance professionals in Singapore with skills and capabilities to thrive in an AI-enabled future.

The collaboration was announced by Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Trade and Industry Gan Kim Yong at the Association of Banks in Singapore's 53^rd Annual Dinner on 25 June 2026.

During his address, he said that it is pertinent that finance professionals be equipped to use AI safely and responsibly.

“AI will change jobs – some tasks will be automated, some roles will be redesigned, and new ones will emerge. The real measure of success of AI adoption is not just the productivity it creates, but whether workers can move with the technology as jobs change,” said Mr Gan, who is also the Chairman of the Monetary Authority of Singapore (MAS).

The initiative will be delivered through a suite of IBF-accredited programmes by NTUC LearningHub and is aimed at helping workers apply AI effectively and responsibly in the workplace.

New AI course tailored for finance professionals

As part of the partnership, finance professionals can enrol in a new IBF-accredited programme, AI Foundation for Finance Professionals, designed by NTUC LearningHub and contextualised for the financial sector.

The self-paced online course introduces learners to Generative AI, effective prompting techniques, and the risks and governance considerations surrounding AI use in financial institutions.

Participants will also learn how to use AI tools to enhance productivity while exercising sound judgement and accountability.

The programme comprises four modules, namely:

• Understanding GenAI and Its Role at Work

• Why AI Outputs Go Wrong (Common Prompting Issues)

• What Makes Prompts More Effective

• AI Governance, Risk Awareness and Responsible Use

The course is expected to launch in mid-July 2026.

Eligible finance professionals can receive up to 70 per cent funding support through IBF.

NTUC LearningHub Chief Executive Officer Jeremy Ong said the key challenge is not access to AI tools, but knowing how to use them responsibly.

“As AI transforms the financial services sector, the differentiator will not be who has access to AI, but who knows how to use it responsibly and effectively,” he said.

Preparing workers for an AI-enabled financial sector

The collaboration between NTUC and IBF builds on NTUC's AI-Ready SG initiative, launched earlier this year to help professionals, managers and executives (PMEs) gain the skills needed to thrive in an AI-enabled economy.

The partnership also expands on the duo’s earlier commitment to support workforce transformation in the financial sector.

NTUC Assistant Secretary-General Patrick Tay said AI is already transforming jobs and skill requirements across the financial sector.

“AI is reshaping jobs and skills across the financial sector. It is critical that our PMEs, including those in the financial sector, are equipped not just to understand these technologies but to apply them effectively and responsibly at work,” he said.

The target of upskilling 100,000 finance professionals marks a significant step towards strengthening workforce resilience and helping workers adapt to changing job demands as AI adoption accelerates.

Beyond training: Career and talent development support

The partnership extends beyond skills upgrading.

IBF and NTUC will continue working together to support workers across different career stages through career advisory and employability services. Through NTUC's e2i (Employment and Employability Institute) and IBF Careers Connect, finance professionals will have greater access to career guidance and support as job roles evolve.

The collaboration will also focus on strengthening the future talent pipeline through youth outreach and mentoring initiatives, providing students and young professionals with greater exposure to careers in the financial sector.

IBF Chief Executive Officer Carolyn Neo said the financial sector needs practical and sector-specific AI training to prepare workers for the future.

“To help our workforce acquire sector-relevant and practical AI skills and to use AI effectively and responsibly, IBF has partnered financial institutions and training providers like NTUC LearningHub, to co-shape AI courses that are IBF-accredited and contextualised with financial sector use cases, job roles and MAS guidelines,” she said.

She added that the strengthened partnership comes at a timely moment as the industry scales up AI adoption while ensuring workers receive comprehensive support through training, outreach, career advisory and mentoring programmes.

Learn more about our AI-Ready SG initiative and how it can help you thrive in an AI-enabled future.