SkillsFuture Work-Study Programmes
The SkillsFuture Work-Study Programmes (WSPs) are offered by Institutes of Higher Learning (IHLs) and SkillsFuture-appointed private training providers. WSPs provide fresh graduates and mid-career individuals a head-start in careers related to their discipline of study through work-study arrangements within organisations. Employers participate as host employers by opening their workplace and offering structured training to WSP trainees. Take-up has increased steadily: enrolled trainees in Work-Study Diploma programmes (ITE) increased from 500 in 2021 to around 1,300 in 2024, while Work-Study Degree programmes grew from 300 in 2021 to around 800 in 2023. Based on recent surveys, approximately 7 in 10 graduates stayed with the company that hired and trained them, demonstrating strong retention outcomes.
Eligibility Criteria
- 01
Companies, societies, and non-profit organisations registered or incorporated in Singapore
- 02
Must provide full-time employment with defined job role and competitive starting salary
- 03
Must assign mentor for quality mentorship and provide structured on-the-job training
- 04
Must provide 2-year career development plan with career advancement pathway
- 05
Must provide full sponsorship of course fees (for WSPostDip/WSDip programmes)
- 06
Trainees must be Singapore Citizens or Singapore Permanent Residents
- 07
Fresh graduates: Within 3 years of graduation from ITE/Polytechnics or ORD
How to Apply
For employers: 1. Express interest — Contact the relevant IHL or training provider offering the WSP in your sector 2. Open your workplace — Agree to provide structured training, mentorship, and career development 3. Recruit trainees — Suitable candidates are matched with jobs related to their field of study 4. Provide structured training — Including on-the-job training, work-based projects, and mentorship 5. Claim grants — Submit claims to SSG for the applicable employer grants
For trainees: 1. Apply through the IHL or training provider offering the programme 2. Go through the recruitment screening process 3. Be matched with a participating employer 4. Start full-time employment combined with structured learning
Claims and Disbursement
Employers submit claims to SSG for grants upon successful placement and completion of programme milestones. Grants are disbursed based on Terms and Conditions set by SSG. Specific claim timelines and documentation requirements vary by programme type — consult the relevant IHL or training provider for detailed procedures.
Frequently Asked Questions
Up to $15,000 per eligible trainee (Singapore Citizen or PR) — comprising mentor grant ($5,000), OJT blueprint development grant ($5,000), administrative grant ($2,000), and overseas attachment training grant (up to $8,000).
Trainees (WSCert Modular/WSQ, WSDip, WSPostDip) receive a $5,000 sign-on incentive.
WSCert: 12–18 months; WSDip: 36 months; WSPostDip: 12–18 months; WSDeg: 3–4 years (varies by university programme).
Based on recent MOE surveys, approximately 7 in 10 graduates stayed with the company that hired and trained them.
Yes. Suitable candidates are matched by the IHL/training provider, but the employer makes the final hiring decision.
WSCert short programmes (Digital Marketing, Engineer 4.0, Customer Service Associate) are specifically designed for mid-career individuals. WSDeg also accepts working adults.
For WSPostDip and WSDip, yes — employers typically provide full sponsorship of course fees. For WSDeg, sponsorship packages vary by company and may include tuition, stipends, and sign-on bonuses.
Full-time employment, competitive salary, assigned mentor, structured OJT, a 2-year career development plan, and full course fee sponsorship (for WSPostDip/WSDip).
Related Grants
Progressive Wage Credit Scheme (PWCS)
IRAS
40% co-funding for 2025, 20% co-funding for 2026 (enhanced rates from Budget 2025)
The Progressive Wage Credit Scheme (PWCS) provides transitional wage support for employers to adjust to mandatory wage increases for lower-wage workers covered by the Progressive Wage Model (PWM) and Local Qualifying Salary (LQS) requirements, and to voluntarily raise wages of lower-wage workers. The Government co-funds eligible wage increases for Singapore Citizens and Permanent Residents from 2022 to 2026. Budget 2025 enhanced the co-funding rates for 2025 and 2026. The PWCS is administered by IRAS and requires no application from employers — payouts are automatically computed and disbursed based on CPF contribution data.
Mid-Career Pathways Programme (MCPP)
Workforce Singapore
Attachment allowance: $1,800-$3,800/month. Government funds 70% of allowance.
The Mid-Career Pathways Programme (MCPP) is designed to support mid-career individuals in their skills development and career transition journey. NOTE: Specific programme details are not readily available. Broader job redesign support is now available separately through WDG(JR+) under the Enterprise Workforce Transformation Package (EWTP), launched from March 2026.
Career Conversion Programmes (CCP)
Workforce Singapore
Up to 90% salary support (enhanced for long-term unemployed or mature workers aged 40+). Course fee subsidies up to 90% for SC/PR.
Career Conversion Programmes (CCP), also known as Place-and-Train and Job Redesign Reskilling programmes, are sector-specific programmes supported by Workforce Singapore that help mid-career workers reskill into new occupations or new sectors with good prospects. Employers hiring or reskilling Singapore Citizens and Permanent Residents receive salary support during the conversion period. Note: Enhanced job redesign support is provided separately through the SkillsFuture Workforce Development Grant (Job Redesign+), or WDG(JR+), under the Enterprise Workforce Transformation Package (EWTP), launched from March 2026.
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.
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.
TechSkills Accelerator (TeSA)
IMDA
Salary support grants for trainees (up to 12 months), course fee grants for CCPs, full-time 6-month programme for PAIP, enhanced internship and apprenticeship funding for TIP Alliance
TechSkills Accelerator (TeSA) is a SkillsFuture initiative driven by IMDA in collaboration with SkillsFuture Singapore (SSG), Workforce Singapore (WSG), the National Trades Union Congress (NTUC), and the industry. It aims to build and develop a skilled Information and Communications Technology (ICT) workforce for Singapore's digital economy. TeSA takes an integrated approach to ICT skills acquisition and practitioner training, enabling professionals to acquire relevant in-demand skills. TeSA comprises several key programmes: (1) Company-Led Training (CLT) — a structured on-the-job training programme for fresh, mid-career, and mature professionals to acquire tech skills for in-demand roles; (2) Career Conversion Programmes (CCP) — for PMETs and mid-career switchers to undergo skills conversion into new tech occupations; (3) Pinnacle AI Industry Programme (PAIP) — for frontier companies to upskill local AI talent in LLM development; (4) TeSA for ITE and Polytechnics (TIP) Alliance — placing and training Polytechnic and ITE graduates in tech roles; (5) Jobs Transformation Map — mapping the future of tech jobs; and (6) Skills-Based Hiring — encouraging employers to hire based on skills rather than qualifications.