What is it?

The Enhanced Training Support for SMEs (ETSS) offers additional support for SMEs in the form of higher course fee subsidies. SMEs can receive SkillsFuture funding, of up to 90% of the course fees when they sponsor their employees to attend SSG supported courses

[For courses commencing before 1 Jan 2023]

SMEs that meet all of the following eligibility criteria:

  1. Registered or incorporated in Singapore
  2. At least 30% local shareholding by Singapore Citizens or Singapore Permanent Residents
  3. Employment size of not more than 200 (at group level) or with annual sales turnover (at group level) of not more than $100 million

[For courses commencing on or after 1 Jan 2023]

SMEs that meet all of the following eligibility criteria:

  1. Registered or incorporated in Singapore
  2. Employment size of not more than 200 or with annual sales turnover of not more than $100 million

SME-sponsored Trainees:

  1. Must be Singapore Citizens or Singapore Permanent Residents.
  2. Courses have to be fully paid for by the employer.
  3. Trainee is not a full-time national serviceman.

You may view the full terms for training providers here.

Further Info: This scheme is intended for all organisations, including non-business entities not registered with ACRA e.g. VWOs, societies, etc. Only Ministries, statutory boards, and other government agencies are not eligible under Enhanced Training Support for SMEs Scheme. Sole proprietorships which meet all of the above criteria are also eligible.

The following types of training are covered under the Enhanced Training Support for SMEs:

Type of Course Funding Support
CET Centre courses and CET courses offered by the Autonomous Universities, Polytechnics, ITE and the National Institute of Early Childhood development (NIEC)1Up to 90% of course fees
Certifiable courses (Conducted by External Training Providers)Up to 70% of course fees
In-house certifiable trainingCourse fee subsidies at $15 per hour

View course listings here.

1These include the following courses:

  • SSG-supported short courses offered by the Autonomous Universities;
  • Part-time Diploma, Advanced Diploma, Specialist Diploma, part-time Industry Skills Certificates (ISC), SkillsFuture Work-Study Diploma, part-time NITEC, part-time Higher NITEC, certificate-level courses, and SSG-supported short courses offered by the Polytechnics, ITE and NIEC.

Note: For changes to SkillsFuture course fee funding and absentee payroll funding for SSG-funded courses commencing on or after 1 Jan 2022, please click here.

SMEs may enrol their employees directly with SSG-appointed CET Centres or with training providers of SSG-supported certifiable courses. SMEs will only need to pay the nett course fee (full course fee after SSG’s grant).

Visit our Portal for Jobs and Skills for SkillsFuture Initiatives and Resources for Enterprises

                               
18 May 2023