SGUnited Skills Programme

1. Trainee must be a Singapore Citizen or Singapore Permanent Resident aged 21 years and above and must be residing in Singapore during the duration of the programme.
2. Trainee must not be gainfully employed during enrolment and at the time of commencement of the programme.
3. Trainee must have a minimum of two (2) years of work experience.
4. Trainee must meet the minimum set of entry requirements for the chosen programme.
5. Trainee must have a Laptop / Desktop meeting the required specs for the chosen programme.
6. Trainee must not be any of the following:
   • Graduated or graduating in Calendar Year (CY) 2019 / 2020 / 2021 from ITEs, Polytechnics, Universities, and other educational institutions, regardless of whether as fresh graduates or with work experience. This includes graduates from private universities as well as overseas institutions; or
   • Graduated from the educational institutions mentioned in 6(a) and completed or completing their National Service (NS) in CY 2019 / 2020 / 2021 and entering the labour force.
7. Trainee should not have attended any other SGUnited (SGUS) programme or SGUnited Mid-Career Pathway (SGUP) – Company Training or SGUnited Mid-Career Pathway (SGUP) – Company Attachment programme with other Companies, Training Providers or Institutes of Higher Learning.
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You will receive a training allowance of up to $1,200 per month** for the duration of the programme to cover your subsistence expenses. Your programme fees will be subsidised to keep your upskilling affordable. You can use your SkillsFuture Credit* to offset your course fees after funding subsidies.

**Trainees must commit full-time training over the programme duration and meet minimum 75% attendance to qualify for Training Allowance. Trainees who are concurrently receiving income relief under COVID-19 Recovery Grant (CRG) will receive a lower training allowance as they are already receiving income relief.

Thank you for your interest in SGUnited Skills Programmes. To apply, please visit the individual application links in the table below.

Applications for programmes will typically close two weeks before the programme commencement date or when the class is fully subscribed, whichever comes first. Applications can remain open until the course commencement date if training places are still available.

Our colleagues will be in touch with you if you are shortlisted for further evaluation after they have reviewed your application. As we are experiencing a high volume of applications, we seek your patience and understanding should we be slower in responding to you.

**Trainees must commit full-time training over the programme duration and meet minimum 75% attendance to qualify for Training Allowance. Trainees who are concurrently receiving income relief under COVID-19 Recovery Grant (CRG) will receive a lower training allowance as they are already receiving income relief.

**Trainees must commit full-time training over the programme duration and meet minimum 75% attendance to qualify for Training Allowance. Trainees who are concurrently receiving income relief under COVID-19 Recovery Grant (CRG) will receive a lower training allowance as they are already receiving income relief.

**Trainees must commit full-time training over the programme duration and meet minimum 75% attendance to qualify for Training Allowance. Trainees who are concurrently receiving income relief under COVID-19 Recovery Grant (CRG) will receive a lower training allowance as they are already receiving income relief.

Upon receiving the Admission Acceptance Email from NTUC LearningHub, trainees can make payment for the programme admission at the following branches during operating hours. Please note that only accepted trainees will be eligible for programme admission fees payment.

1. What is SGUnited Skills (SGUS) Programme?

The SGUnited Skills (SGUS) programme is a 6 to 9-month full-time training programme designed to help unemployed Singaporeans/PRs to upskill and reskill themselves with industry-relevant skills and knowledge. The training will be conducted on a full-time basis, but in modular format.

2. When does the SGUnited Skills (SGUS) programme start? How long is the programme expected to run?

Courses under the SGUS programme will commence from early Jul 2020, with new courses opening for enrolment through to Mar 2021. As announced during Budget 2021, the SGUnited Skills Programme will be extended for another year to Mar 2022, and the courses have to commence by 31 Mar 2022. We target to support 20,000 jobseekers through the programme.

3. How does the SGUS differ from the SGUnited Traineeship and SGUnited Mid-Career Pathways traineeship programmes launched by WSG?

The SGUS comprises full-time reskilling and upskilling courses delivered by CET Centres (including the Institutes of Higher Learning). These courses are designed to help trainees acquire industry-relevant skills that can improve their employability. Trainees will receive a monthly training allowance for the duration of their training to cover their basic expenses. They will also receive career advisory and employment assistance in their search for relevant jobs that will utilise their newly acquired skills.

In contrast, the traineeships under the SGUnited Traineeship and SGUnited Mid-Career Pathways Programme are hosted by employers and will help fresh graduates and mid-career individuals gain meaningful work experience as well as boost their employability for future job opportunities. Host employers and the Government will co-fund the training allowance paid to trainees.

4. How does the SGUS differ from the Career Transition Programmes under SkillsFuture Mid-Career Support Package?

The SGUS and Career Transition Programmes (CTPs) are both training programmes based on a Train-and-Place modality i.e. individuals enrol in a training programme, which will help with their job search. However, the programmes differ in their duration and funding support.

The SGUS is intended for mid-career jobseekers1 impacted by the economic consequences of COVID-19. It comprises full-time reskilling courses of between 6 and 12 months. In view of the full-time training commitment, trainees receive a monthly training allowance to cover their basic expenses. The course fee is also highly subsidised, ranging from a nett fee of $500 for a 6-month SGUS programme to $1,000 for a 12-month SGUS programme. The SGUS programme is available for enrolment from Jul 2020.

The CTP targets mid-career individuals aged 40 to 60 to help them remain employable and access good jobs. Like the SGUS, they cater to trainees who are seeking to reskill themselves to take on new or enhanced job opportunities. CTPs are of shorter duration and there is no training allowance provided. Course fees are also subsidised, albeit to a lower level than SGUS courses. The CTPs will be available for enrolment in Oct 2020.

The additional SkillsFuture Credit of $500 under the SkillsFuture Mid-Career Support Package for individuals aged 40 to 60 can be used for both SGUS and CTP training programmes.

1 This is defined as individuals who fall outside the eligibility for the SGUnited Traineeships. This means the SGUS would exclude SC/PRs who:

a) Graduated or are graduating in CY19 to 21 from ITE, Polytechnics, Universities, and other educational institutions. This includes graduates from private universities as well as overseas institutions; and

b) Graduated from the educational institutions mentioned in (a) but just finished serving their National Service (NS) in CY19 to 21 and are entering the labour force.

5. What are the bridging modules under the SGUS and how long do they last? How do trainees know if they would have to take them?

Trainees who need additional support in building up their foundational competencies (e.g. in workplace literacy, numeracy, and digital literacy) may be referred to take on bridging modules covering these skills as part of the SGUS programme. These modules could last up to 3 months, depending on the competency levels of the trainees. Individuals can approach the SGUS training providers for more information.

6. Why is the programme duration so long?

The SGUS programme is intended to help trainees acquire industry-relevant skills and enhance their employability to take on job roles in the sector as the economy recovers. While the programme is for six to 12 months, the training will be conducted in a modular format so that participants can have the flexibility to exit the programme once they find jobs.

7. Will the SGUS come with job placements?

As the SGUS programme operates on a Train-and-Place model, training providers will provide career advisory and employment assistance to help trainees in their job search in relevant sectors. However, there is no guarantee of a job placement and trainees would need to be open to the job opportunities available. The programme is also conducted in a modular format which allows trainees the flexibility to leave the programme should they gain employment before the end of the full programme.

8. How will the SGUS courses be conducted?

The training modality varies according to the different courses, and generally includes a combination of in-person training, online learning and/or project work with companies. In view of the COVID-19 situation, SkillsFuture Singapore (SSG) has advised training providers that online learning should remain the default delivery mode wherever feasible, during this period.

9. Am I allowed to take part-time jobs to supplement by income?

SGUS trainees are required to commit to full-time training over the programme duration, and must achieve minimum 75% attendance or 60 hours of training/project work (whichever is higher) per month during the duration of the programme to qualify for their applicable Training Allowance.

10. Do individuals have to pay for the programmes? If yes, how much?

The nett fee after Government subsidy ranges from $500 for a 6-month programme, $750 for a 9-month programme and $1,000 for a 12-month programme. Fees have been kept affordable as the programme is targeted at unemployed individuals. In most cases, Government subsidies for such courses will cover more than 95% of the course fees. Trainees can offset the nett course fees using their SkillsFuture Credit, including the top-ups announced in the 2020 Unity Budget.

11. Do individuals pay the full amount of nett fees upfront or at the end of the programme?

The nett fees are to be paid upfront.

12. Can trainees have advance use of their SkillsFuture Credit top-up and additional SkillsFuture Credit (Mid-Career Support)?

Yes, trainees can use their SkillsFuture Credit top-up and additional SkillsFuture Credit (Mid-Career Support) for SGUS programmes once they are enrolled, even before 1 Oct 2020 when those top-ups will be available for use across a wider set of programmes.

13. Is the nett course fee for the SGUS programme inclusive of GST?

Yes.

14. Is this programme open to permanent residents?

Yes, the SGUS programme is open to Singapore Citizens (SC) and Singapore Permanent Residents (PR) who meet the eligibility criteria.

15. Why are fresh graduates ineligible for the SGUS?

Fresh graduate jobseekers are encouraged to consider the jobs and traineeship opportunities available under the SGUnited Jobs & Skills Package, as these initiatives allow fresh graduates the opportunity to apply their skills in job-specific roles. In particular, the SGUnited Traineeship positions are reserved for those who graduated or completed their full-time National Service in 2019 to 2021 (both years inclusive).

SC/PR fresh graduates from the Autonomous Universities, polytechnics and ITE who wish to upskill should consider the free CET modules offered by their alma maters, of which some modules can be stacked into micro-credentials.

The SGUS is designed to cater to mid-career jobseekers who require support.

16. Will trainees have to possess certain academic qualifications to sign up for the SGUS programme?

Trainees will be assessed by the training provider on their suitability for the selected courses prior to enrolment. Academic qualifications are but one of several assessment criteria.

17. Will existing trainees under other programmes be allowed to join the SGUS programme?

As the SGUS is a full-time training programme, existing trainees and jobseekers should not apply for the programme if they are unable to commit to full-time training over the six to 12-month training duration.

18. Will trainees, who drop out of the programme midway, be penalised or required to refund the course fee subsidy?

The programmes allow trainees to exit without penalty if they are successfully placed into a job or have secured a job on their own accord while undergoing training. However, trainees who exit the programme without a valid reason may be asked to return the course fee subsidy that they have received.

19. Will trainees who fail the programme be required to refund the course fee subsidy?

Similar to existing requirements for other training grants administered by SkillsFuture Singapore (SSG), trainees must fulfill minimum attendance requirements and pass the assessments to qualify for course fee subsidies. Trainees who are unable to meet these requirements may be asked to return the course fee subsidies that they have received.

20. Will SSG allow trainees, who did not manage to find a job after completing a course, take up another course under the SGUS programme?

In order to provide opportunities for as many Singaporeans and Permanent Residents as possible, individuals can only enrol in the SGUS once.

21. Where can prospective trainees find the list of SGUS training courses available? How can they apply for the courses?

The list of courses offered under the SGUS and their respective training providers are published on the MySkillsFuture portal progressively from 1 July 2020. Interested participants can apply directly to the training providers. More courses and training places will be added over time.

22. Which sectors will the SGUS programme be rolled out in?

SGUS courses are offered in sectors that can provide job opportunities as the economy recovers. Some examples include ICT and manufacturing.

23. Who can trainees contact if they need advice on suitable courses to take?

In addition to the MySkillsFuture portal, trainees can receive more personalised skills and training advice via the various SGUnited Jobs and Skills events. Trainees can sign up for one-to-many sectoral webinars, and/or short one-to-one consultation sessions with SSG Skills Ambassadors. Registration details are available on MySkillsFuture portal.

24. What are the supporting documents required to be submitted by the trainees?

As part of the application, trainees will be required to furnish their personal particulars and contact details, as well as any document requested by the training provider for assessing the trainee’s suitability for the respective course.

25. How is the training allowance determined?

The training allowance under SGUS is intended to help cover basic expenses incurred by the trainees over the duration of training. The rates of other schemes that provide income relief support, such as the COVID-19 Support Grant (CSG) and the Self-Employed Person Income Relief Scheme (SIRS), were considered in determining the SGUS training allowance amount. The quantum is higher than under the CSG and SIRS in recognition of the training commitment involved.

26. How to be eligible for the monthly Training Allowance?

To be eligible for Training Allowance, Trainees must achieve minimum 75% attendance or 60 hours of training/project work (whichever is higher) per month during the duration of the programme to qualify for their applicable Training Allowance

 27. How do trainees apply for the training allowance? What are the supporting documents needed?

Trainees can apply for the training allowance with the training provider offering the SGUS courses, as part of the enrolment process. The training provider will help submit the completed training allowance application to SSG on the trainees’ behalf. Trainees should consult their respective training providers to understand the course requirements, and conditions for receiving the training allowance.

28. Will trainees be eligible for training allowance if they do not complete the programmes?

Trainees will only be eligible for training allowance for the months in which they attend training and meet the minimum attendance requirement. The training allowance will be discontinued once the trainee leaves the programme, including early exit due to job placement.

There is no proration of the training allowance for trainees who leave after completing a partial month of training.

29. When and how will trainees receive their monthly training allowance?

Trainees will receive their training allowance within a week from the 7th of each month via PayNow.. Trainees will need to have a PayNow account linked to their NRIC. Prior to payment, training providers will also need to verify that the trainees have fulfilled the minimum attendance requirement for each month.

For training programmes that commence in the middle of the calendar month, the training allowance for the first and last calendar months of the programme will be pro-rated as follows:

30. Will recipients of existing subsidies and grants such as Self-Employed Person Income Relief Scheme be allowed to take part in the SGUS programme?

Recipients of the COVID-19 Support Grant (CSG) and the Self-Employed Person Income Relief Scheme (SIRS) are also encouraged to participate in the programmes to enhance their employability. Trainees who are concurrently receiving CSG or SIRS payouts will receive a lower training allowance as they are already receiving income relief.

31. Will trainees on the SGUS be eligible to apply for CRG or CRG-T?

Individuals who are already on the SGUS will not be eligible for CRG and CRG-T.

32. Will trainees on the SGUS be eligible for the hourly training allowance under the NTUC Training Fund (SEPs) (previously known as Self-Employed Person Training Support Scheme) and Workfare Skills Support Scheme for the courses taken under the programme?

As monthly training allowances are already provided to trainees under the SGUnited Skills Programme, they will not be eligible for the hourly training allowance under the NTUC Training Fund (SEPs) nor the Workfare Skills Support Scheme (WSS).

33. If I drop out from the programme mid-way, will I be penalised or required to repay the training allowance and training grants?

SGUS is designed to allow you to exit the programme without penalty if you are successfully placed into a job related to the training by NTUC LHUB (as part of the SGUS programme), or if you are able to find a job on your own while undergoing training.

34. Can the I exit the programme prematurely without securing any job?

A: The programme allows trainees to exit without penalty if they are successfully placed into a job or have secured a job on their own accord while undergoing training. However, trainees who exit the programme without a valid reason may be asked to return the course fee subsidy that they have received.

35.Will SSG allow trainees who did not manage to find a job after completing a SGUS programme, take up another SGUS programme?

In order to provide opportunities to as many Singapore Citizens and Permanent Residents as possible, individuals can only enrol in SGUS programme once.

36. Upon programme commencement, is it possible for me to switch to another SGUS Programme mid-way?

No. In order to provide opportunities to as many Singapore Citizens and Permanent Residents as possible, individuals can only enrol in SGUS programme once. Upon programme commencement, trainee is prohibited from transferring to another SGUS programme, either with NTUC LearningHub Pte Ltd and/or with any other training provider offering SGUS programmes.

37. Is the Enhanced Hiring Incentive applicable to the SGUS programme?

Yes, the SGUS programme is eligible for the Enhanced Hiring Incentive, which was first introduced as part of the SkillsFuture Mid-Career Support Package in the February 2020 Unity Budget and expanded under the Fortitude Budget.

The incentive has been expanded to cover workers of all ages, with higher support for those aged 40 and above. Employers who hire SGUS trainees aged below 40 can receive 20% salary support for 6 months (capped at $6,000 in total), while those who hire trainees aged 40 and above can receive 40% salary support for 6 months (capped at $12,000 in total).

This information was updated on 11th Sep 2020.