Q1. What are IBF Skills Badges?

The IBF Skills Badge is an initiative by IBF to recognise industry professional’s acquisition of sustainable finance skills. The Skills Badge will serve as a common industry benchmark to recognise skills mastery in emerging areas across the financial services sector.

The badge is a tamper-proof, verifiable digital credential issued to individuals who have acquired sustainable finance skills through IBF Standards Training Scheme (IBF-STS) accredited training courses. Skills badges are awarded to recognise sustainable finance skills acquired at different proficiency levels to cater to learners with varying upskilling needs.

 

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Q2. What is the difference between IBF Skills Badges and the IBF Certification?

IBF Skills Badges are accorded to individuals who have acquired relevant sustainable finance skills. The badges can be stacked towards IBF Certification. IBF Certification which is an industry-recognised mark of quality for finance professionals in Singapore.

IBF Certification is awarded to individuals who have successfully demonstrated the required skills and experience to be certified in an individual job role under the Skills Framework for Financial Services.

 

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Q3. Do I need to pay for the skills badge?

No, IBF Skills Badges are free.

Q4. How do I earn a skills badge?

To earn a skills badge, you must successfully complete an IBF Standards Training Scheme (IBF-STS) accredited training course that aligns with the Sustainable Finance Technical Skills and Competencies (SF TSCs). You will earn one skills badge for each SF TSC attained.

Click here to view the list of eligible skills

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Q5. How do I find out which courses are eligible for a skills badge?

Click here to view the list of eligible skills

You may view a list of Sustainable Finance courses accredited under the IBF-STS Standards Training Scheme (IBF-STS) on the IBF Programme Finder. The steps are as follows:

Step 1: Visit the IBF Programme Finder.
Step 2: For Sustainable Finance courses accredited under IBF-STS:
i. Select ‘IBF Standards Training Scheme (STS)’ at the Search bar at the side
ii. Expand the 'Skills & Competencies' option
iii. Select 'Sustainable Finance' to view a full list of related courses.

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Q6. Can I earn a skills badge by completing an IBF-STS accredited training course if I do not apply for the IBF funding subsidy?

You are eligible for a skills badge if you have successfully completed an IBF accredited course that is aligned to a SF TSC, regardless of whether you had applied for funding subsidy.

Individuals who are not receiving IBF-STS funding may submit a Skills Badge application on the IBF Portal . The application process is as follows:

• Individual completes eligible IBF-STS accredited course.
• Log in to IBF Portal account or create one if you do not have an existing IBF Portal account.
• Submit an individual application for skills badge and upload your certificate of completion.
• You will receive an email notification with your skills badge if you fulfil the skills badge criteria.

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Q7. Can I enrol in a higher-level skills badge without first completing the lower-level badges in the same skill?

 

Yes, as long as you meet the minimum eligibility criteria set by the training provider. This flexibility allows you to tailor your learning path according to your specific needs and goals.

 

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Q8. Is there a limit to the number of skills badges I can earn?

 

There is no limit to the number of badges you can earn. You can earn as many skills badges in various skills and at different proficiency levels to build relevant skillsets, allowing you to grow your expertise and enhance your career progression.

 

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Q9. How can a third party verify my IBF Skills Badges?

You can allow a third party to verify your skills badge by sharing a direct link to your skills badge in Accredify Passport. If you have displayed your IBF Skills Badge on your LinkedIn profile, it is publicly viewable and verifiable by anyone who clicks on “Show Credential”.

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Q10. How will I receive my skills badge?

 

If you are eligible for IBF-STS funding, your Financial Institution) /Training Provider will submit a claim for funding support after you have successfully completed an in-house/external course. The issuance of skills badges is initiated by funding claims submission. You will receive a notification email with your skills badge if you fulfil the skills badge criteria.

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Q11. Do skills badges expire?

There is no expiration date for skills badges. However, given the dynamic nature of skills and rapid pace of technological advancements, it is important to keep your skills up-to-date. To track the currency of your skills badges, you can refer to the issuance date of your skills badge on your social media profile (e.g. under ‘Licenses & Certifications’ on Linkedin) or login to IBF Portal to view the issuance date of the skills badges on ‘My Dashboard’.

Q12. How do I share my IBF Skills Badges?

 

When you receive your IBF Skills Badge, Certification or Examination Result Slip via email, there will be a link for you to directly display your credentials on your LinkedIn profile. You may also share your credentials via a direct link in your Accredify Passport account. 

Q13. How can financial institutions help employees obtain IBF Skills Badges?

 

Financial Institutions (FIs) can support their employees in obtaining IBF Skills Badges by:

i. Sponsoring employees to attend IBF-accredited courses: These courses can be offered in-house or by external training providers.

ii. Submitting funding claims: For employees eligible for IBF Standards Training Scheme (IBF-STS) funding, the FI can submit funding claims to initiate skills badge issuance. The employees will receive an email notification with their skills badges after verification of their attendance and assessment records in the funding claims submission. Funding claims submission will be made by training providers if employees attend external training courses.
iii. Submitting group applications for skills badges: For employees not receiving IBF-STS funding, FIs can submit group applications for skills badges through the IBF Portal. FIs may nominate a Corporate Administrator to manage skills badge applications. The application process is as follows:

 

• Individual completes eligible IBF-STS accredited course

• Corporate Administrator creates an IBF Portal Account

• Corporate Administrator submits a group application using an Excel template and uploading the certificates of completion.

• Corporate Administrator receives a notification email that group application has been approved.
• Individual employees receive notification email with their skills badges.

 

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Q14. As a Training Provider, how do I help my trainees obtain an IBF Skills Badge?

 

The issuance of skills badges is initiated by funding claims submission. For trainees eligible for IBF Standards Training Scheme (IBF-STS) funding, training providers can submit funding claims to initiate skills badge issuance. The trainees will receive an email notification with their skills badges after verification of their attendance and assessment records in the funding claims submission.