 The NTUC Company Training Committee (CTC) Grant stands as a cornerstone of Singapore’s workforce transformation strategy, bridging enterprise development with worker advancement through collaborative training initiatives. This grant is a nationally administered program, reflecting Singapore’s commitment to strengthening both business capabilities and worker outcomes as key drivers of economic competitiveness.
A. Country of Origination The NTUC CTC Grant originates from Singapore. It is managed by the National Trades Union Congress (NTUC) through its Employment and Employability Institute (e2i), ensuring alignment with national workforce development objectives. B. Brief Description The grant is a government-supported funding scheme enabling organizations to implement transformation plans that enhance business capabilities and worker outcomes. Launched after a government allocation of $100 million in February 2022 for scaling up Company Training Committees, the grant targets entities that have formed CTCs to drive both enterprise and workforce transformation. The initiative fosters collaboration between management and union representatives to upskill and reskill workers in line with business transformation needs. Operating on a dual-transformation model, the grant requires projects to demonstrate both enterprise transformation—such as enhanced business capabilities, innovation, and productivity—and workforce transformation, including better career prospects and wages for local workers. This approach ensures that funding supports sustainable economic development while prioritizing worker advancement and job security. C. Max Supportable Amount The program operates under a $70 million funding pool available for distribution between 1 August 2022 and 31 July 2026. While individual project caps remain flexible, the total grant quantum per application is determined by a dual assessment: business transformation potential (40% weight) and worker outcome cost-effectiveness (60% weight). This structure ensures optimal allocation of public funds while maintaining enterprise flexibility. D. Max Supportable Percentage The NTUC CTC Grant provides funding support of up to 70% of qualifying costs. This percentage applies to various supportable components, including equipment/software, consultancy services, and training programs tied to transformation projects. For in-house training, the grant provides funding at a rate of $9 per hour, while external non-SSG supported courses are funded up to 70% of the course fee. E. Maximum Project Duration Approved projects must be completed within 12 months from the date the Letter of Award (LOA) is issued. This strict timeline supports Singapore’s rapid business transformation objectives and requires detailed project planning during the application stage. All supportable components must be purchased and implemented within this period, with no retroactive funding for pre-LOA expenditures. F. Upfront Reimbursement Available? The grant operates on a reimbursement basis rather than upfront funding. Organizations must implement their approved projects and achieve committed outcomes before submitting claims for reimbursement. Applicants must meet the committed worker outcomes as stated in the LOA to be eligible for claims disbursement. G. Reimbursement Milestones The reimbursement process follows a three-phase structure:
The NTUC CTC Grant maintains an open application period till 2028. All applications must be submitted through the e2i Grant Portal, with this online submission requirement effective from 1 January 2023. This application window gives organizations ample time to develop comprehensive transformation plans and establish the necessary Company Training Committees. I. Eligibility Criteria Organizational Requirements: Eligible entities must be legally registered or incorporated in Singapore. This includes companies, societies, non-profit organizations such as charities and social service agencies, restructured hospitals, autonomous universities, and social enterprises. Government bodies, statutory boards, organs of state, and wholly-owned subsidiaries of government are explicitly excluded from eligibility. CTC Formation Requirement: A fundamental prerequisite is the formation of a Company Training Committee (CTC). For unionized companies, CTCs are established through collaboration with existing unions, while non-unionized companies must work with NTUC to form CTCs. The CTC serves as a collaborative platform between management and union/NTUC representatives to develop effective transformation plans. Worker Impact Requirements: Projects must demonstrate impact on local workers, specifically Singapore Citizens and Singapore Permanent Residents. Applicants must commit to at least one of the following worker outcomes: wage increases, recurrent skills allowance or one-time allowance, or implementation of a Career Development Plan communicated to staff. Foreign workers are excluded from funding consideration. J. Assessment Rubric The grant assessment framework evaluates applications based on two primary criteria:
Applicants must develop and validate transformation and training plans with their CTC senior management representative and NTUC/worker representative. The application process requires engagement with e2i officers for non-unionized companies and submission through the e2i Grant Portal. For unionized companies, additional documentation may include incorporation of CTC formalization within Collective Agreements, while non-unionized entities may require a Memorandum of Understanding between senior management representatives, NTUC/worker representatives, and other partners. When preparing for the official application, applicants need to prepare the following:
The grant now recognizes four transformation pathways:
The grant timeline follows a structured multi-phase process. Organizations begin by forming CTCs and developing transformation plans with appropriate stakeholder validation. Applications are submitted through the e2i Grant Portal after engaging with e2i officers for review and guidance. Following approval and receipt of the Letter of Award, organizations implement their projects and work toward achieving committed outcomes. The claims phase requires submission within four weeks of the project end date specified in the LOA, followed by assessment and approval processes leading to disbursement notification. N. Statistics & Industry Trends Analysis of anonymized application data reveals:
O. Real Case Examples A representative manufacturing case involved: Successful CTC Grant Application Example 1 Equipment
Consultation & Customised Digital Solution
Successful CTC Grant Application Example 3 Cloud-based System
Successful CTC Grant Application Example 4 Digital Solutions
Key Takeaways from the Examples
P. Recent Updates and Policy Changes August 2024 Training Expansion: A significant policy update occurred in August 2024, expanding eligible training components to include in-house training and non-SSG supported external courses. This change reflects program responsiveness to applicant needs and recognition of diverse training delivery models that support transformation objectives. Enhanced Funding Specifications: The August 2024 updates also introduced clearer funding specifications, with in-house training funded at $9 per hour and external courses funded up to 70% of course fees. These specifications provide greater clarity for applicants in budgeting and planning their transformation initiatives. Q. Additional Notes Union and Non-Union Pathways: The grant accommodates both unionized and non-unionized organizations through different CTC formation pathways. This inclusive approach ensures broad accessibility while maintaining the collaborative principles underlying the CTC concept. Local Worker Focus: The program’s exclusive focus on local workers (Singapore Citizens and Permanent Residents) aligns with national workforce development priorities. This targeting ensures that government investment directly benefits the local workforce while supporting economic competitiveness. Transformation Integration: The requirement that all supported activities be tied to transformation projects ensures strategic alignment between funding and business development objectives. This integration distinguishes the grant from generic training subsidies by requiring comprehensive transformation planning. Strategic implementation insights: Successful applicants typically engage e2i consultants during the blueprint development phase. The average lead time observed between CTC formation and grant approval is around 9 months, and 78% of funded projects incorporate three-year workforce transition roadmaps. R. FAQs Can foreign companies apply? Only companies legally registered or incorporated in Singapore are eligible, regardless of foreign ownership. Is unionization required? No, non-unionized companies can form CTCs with NTUC to become eligible. What is the minimum worker impact? Projects must commit to a minimum number of local workers, though specific numbers are determined case-by-case. How is a Career Development Plan defined? A CDP is a structured progression pathway covering job roles, skills, and wages, with predetermined training leading to enhanced productivity and calibrated remuneration. How are worker outcomes verified? Post-implementation audits compare actual versus committed outcomes:
Yes, provided programs focus on change management capabilities, demonstrate direct transformation leadership outcomes, and comprise 20% or less of the total project budget. S. Sources and References This report is informed by official sources from Singapore’s Employment and Employability Institute (e2i) and NTUC documentation, including the official e2i website and comprehensive FAQ documentation. While this analysis provides comprehensive coverage based on available official sources, potential applicants are encouraged to engage directly with e2i officers for the most current updates and personalized guidance on application requirements and processes. Call to Action Are you considering applying for the NTUC Company Training Committee (CTC) Grant but unsure where to start? Our team at RIC is here to help you navigate the application process, from CTC formation to project implementation and claim submission. Visit our Contact Us page on the RIC website to get in touch and learn how we can support your grant application journey. Let’s work together to unlock funding for your business transformation and workforce development needs. Sources & References
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