Enhanced Training Support for SMEs (ETSS)
The Enhanced Training Support for SMEs (ETSS) helps small and medium enterprises build stronger, more capable teams without the heavy costs usually tied to training. By offering higher course fee subsidies, ETSS eases both the financial and operational burden of sending staff for training. As part of SkillsFuture Singapore's suite of support for businesses, ETSS empowers companies to upskill their workforce and stay competitive across industries. ETSS provides up to 90% course fee subsidies for eligible certifiable courses, making training affordable by covering course fees and giving SMEs access to a wide range of eligible courses. This is an enhanced subsidy layered on top of the baseline subsidy that all locally-registered businesses receive. The enhanced subsidy applies to Singapore Citizens, Permanent Residents, and LTVP+ holders employed by qualifying SMEs.
Eligibility Criteria
- 01
Registered or incorporated in Singapore
- 02
At least 30% local shareholding by Singapore Citizens or Singapore Permanent Residents
- 03
Employment size of not more than 200 (at group level) OR annual sales turnover of not more than $100 million (at group level)
- 04
Employees must be Singapore Citizens, Permanent Residents, or LTVP+ holders
- 05
Courses must be fully paid for by the employer
- 06
Must have employer-employee relationship with CPF contribution
How to Apply
1. Find a course — Browse eligible courses on the SkillsFuture for Business Course Directory 2. Register staff — Sign up employees directly with the course provider 3. Get support — Course fee subsidies are applied upfront automatically; no separate application needed 4. Pay only the nett course fee + GST to the training provider 5. After course completion, claim Absentee Payroll Funding via SSG portal when notified by training provider
Claims and Disbursement
Course fee subsidy: Automatically deducted from the full course fee at registration. Employer pays nett fee + GST only.
Absentee Payroll: 1) Inform training provider about AP funding 2) Training provider starts claim process upon course completion 3) Employer receives email notification to complete AP application 4) Log in to SSG portal, navigate to AP Funding tab, declare salary info 5) If approved, funding disbursed to corporate PayNow within 2.5 weeks after submission
Frequently Asked Questions
A business registered in Singapore with at least 30% local shareholding, and either not more than 200 employees OR annual sales turnover ≤ S$100 million (at group level).
Yes — part-time Singaporean and PR employees are eligible, as long as the employer contributes to their CPF.
Subsidies are applied upfront automatically upon course registration. You only pay the nett course fee and GST to the training provider. No separate application is needed.
Yes. The nett course fee (after ETSS subsidy, excluding GST) is the out-of-pocket expense. SFEC can then cover up to 90% of that remaining amount.
$4.50 per hour of attended training, capped at $100,000 per enterprise per calendar year.
No. Only Singapore Citizens, Permanent Residents, and LTVP+ holders qualify for SkillsFuture course subsidies.
If approved, AP funding is disbursed to corporate PayNow within approximately 2.5 weeks after submission.
Related Grants
Capability Development Grant
National Arts Council
Up to 90% funding cap (enhanced from 15 April 2022)
The NAC Capability Development (CD) Grant encourages and supports continuous professional development of people working in Singapore's arts and culture sector. The grant covers training activities or programmes up to 12 consecutive months, supporting both professional training/skills development and on-the-job training. This grant is part of NAC's comprehensive support framework for the arts sector, updated with enhanced funding rates from April 2022. Key changes in December 2024 include updated submission deadlines, eligibility criteria, training allowance rates, and financial reporting requirements.
Capability Transfer Programme (CTP)
Workforce Singapore
Co-funding on case-by-case basis, support levels determined by WSG with sector agencies
The Capability Transfer Programme (CTP) aims to improve local-foreign workforce complementarity by facilitating transfer of capabilities from foreign specialists to locals. The programme encourages a culture of pervasive capabilities transfer across all sectors and entities, and supports companies/associations/professional bodies to develop and acquire new capabilities in Singapore by ensuring sufficient supply of locals with the requisite skillsets. The CTP complements existing capability development programmes administered by other Government agencies, to plug capability gaps quickly in today's fast-changing global market. This is a bespoke programme with no standard application form or fixed funding percentage - all project proposals are evaluated on a case-by-case basis.
Professional Capability Grant (PCG) — Open Grant
NCSS
Single agency: up to 80% of approved cost, max $100,000. Multi-agency: up to 100%, max $200,000. Clinical supervision: up to 80%, max $100,000 over 2 years.
The Open Grant empowers initiatives within the social service sector to enhance professional capabilities through diverse projects, including clinical supervision. It supports agencies in engaging external consultants for clinical supervision, fostering the growth of social workers, case workers, counsellors, and psychologists. Projects must be one-off and non-recurring. Multi-agency collaborative projects receive higher funding caps.
Enterprise Sustainability Programme (ESP)
Enterprise Singapore
Up to S$180 million total programme budget (individual grants via EDG framework)
The Enterprise Sustainability Programme (ESP) was launched on 4 October 2021 to support Singapore companies, especially SMEs, in building sustainability capabilities and capturing opportunities in the green economy. Enterprise Singapore has allocated up to S$180 million for the programme, expected to benefit at least 6,000 enterprises over four years across all sectors. The programme operates on three levels: developing enterprises' capabilities through subsidized training workshops and enhanced EDG support; strengthening sector-specific capabilities through partnerships with Trade Associations and Chambers; and fostering a vibrant sustainability ecosystem through green financing (EFS-Green), training, certification, and standards development. ESP recognizes that sustainability is increasingly a compliance and competitiveness requirement for companies in global supply chains.
Part-Time Re-Employment Grant (PTRG)
Ministry of Manpower
S$2,500 per resident senior worker (age 60+), maximum S$125,000 per company (up to 50 senior workers)
The Part-time Re-employment Grant (PTRG) provides funding to employers who offer part-time re-employment, other flexible work arrangements (FWAs), and structured career planning (SCP) to senior workers. The grant aims to provide more flexible work options to attract and retain senior workers and encourage them to stay in the workforce. PTRG was introduced as part of the Senior Worker Support Package in 2020 and has been extended until 2027. The Singapore National Employers Federation (SNEF) is the sole appointed Programme Partner for the PTRG, and the grant incentivises employers to create comprehensive support structures for senior workers.
Company-Led Training Programme (CLT)
Infocomm Media Development Authority
Full salary support for up to 12 months during training
IMDA's Company-Led Training (CLT) programme is designed to accelerate the professional development of fresh professionals, mid-career professionals and mature PMETs in the tech and media sectors. It provides on-the-job training to equip trainees with competencies for jobs in demand by industry, especially those supporting digital economy sector transformation efforts. The programme covers in-demand job roles in emerging areas such as Artificial Intelligence, Infrastructure, Product Development, Software Engineering, Cyber Security, Data Analytics, Virtual Production and more. Trainees gain employment and receive a salary while being equipped with in-demand tech and media skills, working on projects guided by experienced mentors.