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The Enhanced Training Support Package (ETSP) was first introduced by DPM Heng Swee Keat in the Stabilisation and Support Package and supplementary Resilience Budget to help sectors which were directly and severely affected by COVID-19. Enterprises (SMEs and non-SMEs) in the (1) tourism, (2) air transport, (3) retail, (4) food and beverage (F&B), (5) point-to-point transport and private hire bus transport, (6) arts & culture, (7) aerospace, and (8) marine & offshore sectors, would be eligible for the ETSP, comprising enhanced Absentee Payroll (AP) funding rate and enhanced course fee subsidies. This is to support enterprises who send their workers for selected sector-specific training programmes by SSG-appointed training partners for courses starting before 1 Jan 2021. AP funding is not applicable for self-employed persons (SEPs), as there are other government schemes supporting SEPs e.g. COVID-19 Recovery Grant (CRG). From 1 May 2020, the enhanced absentee payroll rates was extended to cover all sectors. In Oct 2020, the ETSP was extended by six months to cover eligible courses starting before 1 July 2021. During the Committee of Supply Debate 2021, it was announced that ETSP will be further extended for another six months to cover eligible courses starting before 1 January 2022. Companies in the selected sectors will continue to enjoy enhanced course fee subsidies at up to 90% of course fees for selected sector-specific programmes. Companies in all sectors will be eligible for absentee payroll funding at 80% of hourly basic salary, capped at $7.50 per hour*. *This applies to all courses that are eligible for absentee payroll funding today, e.g. selected courses by SSG-appointed CET Centres 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.
The ETSP will be time-limited to cover eligible courses starting before 1 Jan 2022. Enterprises (both SMEs and non-SMEs) are eligible for funding under the ETSP if they send their employees for training courses which commence within the following periods:
Sectors
Funding period (course start dates) for ETSP
Eligible for enhanced
course fee subsidy?
absentee payroll (AP) funding#?
Tourism*
1 Mar 2020 to 31 Dec 2021
Yes, for selected sector-specific programmes
Yes
Air Transport
Food & Beverage
1 Apr 2020 to 31 Dec 2021
Retail
Point-to-Point and Private Hire Bus Transport*
Arts & Culture*
Aerospace
1 Sep 2020 to 31 Dec 2021
Marine & Offshore
5 Oct to 31 Dec 2021
All other sectors
1 May 2020 to 31 Dec 2021
No
* Includes tourist guides and point-to-point drivers who are self-employed persons. AP funding is not applicable to tourist guides and point-to-point drivers.
#For course commencement before 1 Jan 2021, the absentee payroll funding rate is at 90% of hourly basic salary, capped at $10 per hour. For course commencement between 1 Jan 2021 to 31 Dec 2021, absentee payroll funding is at 80% of hourly basic salary, capped at $7.50 per hour.
What does it cover?
All employers are advised to check with the training providers on the courses that are eligible for funding under ETSP. All employers can tap on the enhanced absentee payroll funding for eligible courses. Employers in the eight (8) selected sectors (Tourism, Air Transport, F&B, Retail, point-to-point transport and private hire bus transport, Arts & Culture, Aerospace and Marine & Offshore sectors) can also enjoy the enhanced course fee funding for selected sector-specific courses.
The training will focus on priority and emerging skills that each sector requires. Examples of these courses include:
Tourism
Point-to-Point Transport and Private Hire Bus Transport
Arts & Culture
Enterprises with registered business activities in the eight (8) sectors listed above can sign up for courses with the appointed training partners and apply for enhanced AP.
These companies only need to pay the nett course fees (i.e. course fees after the enhanced SSG subsidy), and eligible companies will receive the enhanced AP from the appointed training partners, once their employees have completed the training and passed the assessment.
Interested enterprises may approach the following training providers for more information.
Sector
Appointed Training Partners (as at 5 Oct 2020)
Tourism (i.e. Hotel & Accommodation Services, MICE, Attractions, Tour & Travel and Tourist Guides)
Point-to-Point and Private Hire Bus Transport
Enterprises in all other sectors may apply for the enhanced AP via the Enterprise Portal for Jobs & Skills (EPJS).
Click here for the FAQs.