Tapping On The Enhanced Training Support Package (ETSP) To Train Your Staff

Recognising that companies will be affected by the COVID-19 downturn, the Enhanced Training Support Package (ETSP) was introduced by Deputy Prime Minister (DPM) Heng Swee Keat earlier in the year. 

What Is The Enhanced Training Support Package (ETSP)?

When it was first announced, the ETSP provided time-limited enhancements to 1) up to 90% fee subsidies for eligible courses to companies in the hardest-hit sectors and 2) Absentee Payroll (AP) funding rates of 90% hourly basic salary (capped at $10/hour) for companies in all sectors, for courses starting before 1 January 2021. 

In the latest DPM Heng Swee Keat’s latest October 2020 Ministerial Statement on 5 October 2020, a six-month extension to 30 June 2021 was announced, along with the inclusion of the marine and offshore sector (to the existing list of aerospace, air transport, arts & culture, food services, point-to-point (taxi and private hire) and private bus companies, retail, and tourism sectors). However, during the extension phase the Absentee Payroll (AP) funding rate will be lowered to 80% capped at $7.50 an hour.

Read Also: October 2020 Ministerial Statement: 5 Government Schemes Updates That Businesses Should Know

In addition to this support measure, companies can also leverage on the $10,000 SkillsFuture Enterprise Credits (SFEC) to further offset up to 90% of the remaining out-of-pocket expenses. They will also continue to enjoy other government subsidies such as the Jobs Support Scheme (JSS) and Senior Employment Credit (SEC).

In essence, the Enhanced Training Support Package (ETSP) serves multiple purposes, helping companies retain and train their employees during their idle time rather than to cut numbers. The enhanced training subsidies makes it affordable, while the Absentee Payroll (AP) funding covers a chunk of salaries. The end-result may also be that it enables companies to keep and upskill their workforce, positioning them to take advantage of the economic recovery when it comes.

How To Make Use Of The Enhanced Training Support Package (ETSP)?

The Enhanced Training Support Package is only for Singaporeans and Permanent Residents (PRs).

Eligible courses by SSG-appointed CET Centres (SSG: SkillsFuture Singapore) or certifiable courses by other SSG-approved training providers. Employers are advised to check with the training providers on the courses that are eligible for absentee payroll funding.

Eligible courses typically focus on priority and emerging skills that the sector requires. Some examples of courses include:

1. Deep domain skills:

Tourism Foster Service Innovation, Quality Visitor Experience through Immersive Technology, Cultural Savviness & Diversity Service Inclusion and Understanding Visitors
Air TransportDangerous Goods Handling, Perishables Handling, International Travel Regulations
RetailCustomer Experience Innovation, Productivity Management, Digital Marketing, Immersive Technology
Food & BeverageCulinary Arts, Process Innovation, Managing Cost and Quality Control, Search Engine Advertising 
Arts & CulturePedagogy for Performing Arts Instructors, Digital Media (art- making and outreach), Audience Engagement, e-Commerce Campaign Management
Point-to-Point Transport and Private Hire Bus TransportUnderstanding of Electric Vehicles, Vehicle Safety and Maintenance, Safe & Defensive Driving
AerospaceQuality & Safety Management System in Aerospace, WSQ Perform Aircraft General Maintenance
Marine & Offshore Electrical Power Engineering, Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG) Bunkering, and Shipyard Safety

Source: SkillsFuture

2. Emerging digital skills, through programmes such as SkillsFuture for Digital Workplace.

Typically, PMET (Professionals, Managers, Executives and Technicians) employees will be eligible for lower funding rates than non-PMET employees. Self-employed persons are also eligible for ehanced course fee subsidies, but are not eligible for Absentee Payroll funding. 

Read Also: Absentee Payroll Funding: How You Can Get Reimbursed 90% Off  Employee Training Costs

Who Can Qualify For The Enhanced Training Support Package (ETSP)?

Enterprises (both SMEs and non-SMEs) are eligible for funding under the ETSP if they send their employees for training which commence within the following periods.

Table: Eligibility for Enhanced Course Fee Subsidy and Enhanced Absentee Payroll

SectorsCourse Commencement DateEligible for enhanced course fee funding?Eligible for enhanced absentee payroll (AP) funding?
Tourism Between 1 Mar 2020 and 31 Dec 2020Yes, for selected sector-specific programmesYes
Air Transport
Food & BeverageBetween 1 Apr 2020 and 31 Dec 2020
Retail
Land Transport
Arts & Culture 
AerospaceBetween 1 Sep 2020 and 31 Dec 2020
All other sectorsBetween 1 May 2020 to 31 Dec 2020NoNo

* Includes tourist guides who are self-employed persons. AP funding is not applicable to tourist guides.

How To Apply For The Enhanced Training Support Package (ETSP)?

Enterprises with registered business activities in the six sectors listed below can sign up for courses with the appointed training partners and apply for enhanced AP (Absentee Payroll).

These companies only need to pay the net course fees and the appointed training partners will disburse the enhanced AP to eligible companies once their employees have completed the training and passed the assessment.

SectorAppointed Training Partners 
Tourism1. Ascott Centre for Excellence
2. IBM
3. Nanyang Polytechnic
4. Ngee Ann Polytechnic
5. NTUC LearningHub Pte Ltd
6. SHATEC Institutes
7. Singapore Institute of Hospitality
8. Singapore Polytechnic
9. Temasek Polytechnic
10. Republic Polytechnic
Air Transport1. NTUC LearningHub Pte Ltd
2. SATS Academy
3. Singapore Aviation Academy
4. Temasek Polytechnic
F&B1. Asian Culinary Institute
2. IBM
3. Nanyang Polytechnic
4. Ngee Ann Polytechnic
5. NTUC LearningHub Pte Ltd
6. SHATEC Institutes
7. Singapore Polytechnic
8. Temasek Polytechnic
9. Republic Polytechnic
Retail1. IBM
2. Nanyang Polytechnic
3. Ngee Ann Polytechnic
4. NTUC LearningHub Pte Ltd
5. Republic Polytechnic
6. Singapore Institute of Retail Studies
7. Singapore Polytechnic
8. Temasek Polytechnic
Arts & Culture1. NTUC LearningHub Pte Ltd
2. Nanyang Polytechnic
3. Ngee Ann Polytechnic
4. Temasek Polytechnic
5. Republic Polytechnic
Point-to-Point / Private Bus Companies1. Ngee Ann Polytehnic
2. Republic Polytechnic
3. Singapore Polytechnic
4. NTUC LearningHub Pte Ltd
Aerospace1. NTUC LearningHub Pte Ltd
2. National University of Singapore
3. SIA Engineering Company Ltd
4. Temasek Polytechnic
5. ST Engineering Aerospace Ltd

Enterprises in all other sectors may follow the current process of applying for AP via the SkillsConnect system from May to June 2020 for courses completed before June 2020. From July 2020 onwards, enterprises can apply for AP via the new Training Grants System. 

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