Funding Information - Singapore Training
There are various NTUC and government funding schemes which are aimed at encouraging small-medium enterprises to train and upgrade the skills of their Singaporean/Permanent Resident workers in Singapore. The following are the various training assistance for corporate sponsored trainee:
Skills Development Fund (SDF)*
FOR APPLICATION OF SDF FUNDING FOR WSH COURSES, PLEASE CLICK HERE
Through the Skills Development Fund (SDF), employers can enjoy grants for staff training though the funding rate may differ for various courses. Employers will need to apply via the
SkillsConnect system to obtain training assistance for course fees. Funding for absentee payroll is also obtainable through the system.
Table 1: Revised funding rates for SDF pre-approved courses with effect from 1 December 2010
Type of Courses | Funding Component | Courses Targeted at Rank-and-File level | Courses Targeted at PMET^ level |
Certifiable | Course Fee Support | 80% of course fee capped at $7/hr | 50% of course fee capped at $15/hr |
Absentee Payroll Support | 80% of hourly basic salary capped at $4.50/hr |
Others# | Course Fee Support | $2/hr |
^ Professionals, Managers, Executives and Technicians
# Funding for other training courses conducted by external training providers is capped at 100% of course fees.
To Note: This will not affect older low-wage workers who are eligible for the Workfare Training Support (WTS) scheme which took effect on 1 July 2010. Employers who sponsor older low-wage workers for training under WTS will continue to enjoy enhanced course fee and absentee payroll funding.
Union Training Assistance Programme (UTAP)
UTAP (Union Training Assistance Programme) is a training benefit for union members to defray their cost of training. The objective is to encourage more union members to go for skills upgrading.
Union members who initiate training on their own could be eligible for the following funding assistance:
- Up to $250 training benefits for courses under Union Training Assistance Programme (UTAP) per year
- (With effect from 1 January 2013)
How much can I claim under UTAP?
UTAP is disbursed to union members based on 50% of unfunded course fee, capped at $250 per year with effect from 1 January 2013. This excludes miscellaneous fees such as GST, exam fee and registration fee etc.
Note: The UTAP amount disbursed to all members is the same for all nationalities.
To be eligible for funding assistance under UTAP, all members must also meet the following criteria:
- Paid-up union member throughout whole course duration and at the point of claim
- Course by training provider must be approved under UTAP
- UTAP will not fund courses which are entirely funded through company sponsorship or other types of funding
- Unfunded course fee must be greater or equal to S$20
How do I apply and claim for UTAP for courses registered?
NTUC LearningHub offers upfront funding at our counters, i.e. 50% off from the unfunded course fee.
Who can I contact for further enquiries?
Membership Call Centre: 6213 8008
Fax: 6471 5898
Email: UBT@e2i.com.sg
Critical Infocomm Technology Resource Programme (CITREP)
This programme is targeted at infocomm professionals to equip them with critical & specialised skills to gain recognition for their competency. The programme supports training courses & certifications and helps to increase an organisation's competitive advantage & to enhance the employability of its staff. Please refer to IDA's website for the latest update on CITREP funding matters.
Workfare Training Support (WTS)
The Workfare Training Support (WTS) scheme is a three-year scheme announced by the Government in the 2010 Budget to complement the Workfare Income Supplement (WIS) scheme. The WTS encourages low wage workers to upgrade their skills through training, so that they can improve their employability and upgrade to better jobs. WTS also encourages employers to send their low wage workers for training.
WTS is open to Singapore citizens aged 35 years and above, and who are earning up to $1,700 per month.
Lower Cost of Training for Low-Wage Workers and their Employers
Through WTS, low wage workers can benefit from higher course fee support
when they sign up for any Singapore Workfare Skills Qualifications (WSQ) courses,
including those for Employability Skills, at the Continuing Education and Training (CET)
Centres:
Table 1: Course Fee Support under Workfare Training Support (WTS) scheme
Singapore Citizens aged 35 years old and above | Course Fee Support |
Earning $1,400 and below per month | 95% |
Earning between $1,401 to $1,700 per month | 90% |
To receive the higher course fee support, a low wage worker only needs to bring his/her NRIC and WTS/WIS notification letter to all CET Centres and Approved Training Organisations to sign up for training.
Employers who send their low wage workers for WSQ courses at all CET Centres and Approved Training Organisations can also receive the higher course fee support shown in Table 1. In addition, they can claim higher Absentee Payroll to cover the salaries of their low wage workers when they are away at training (Table 2).
Table 2: Absentee Payroll for Employers under WTS scheme
Workers who are Singapore Citizens, aged 35 years old and above | Absentee Payroll |
Earning $1,400 and below per month | 95% |
Earning between $1,401 to $1,700 per month | 90% |
For more information on the Workfare Training Support (WTS) scheme or to register for
Workfare-Skill Up, please call
WTS toll free hotline: 1 800-5368 333
