Last updated: 11 November 2026
Funding for training in Singapore comes from several schemes, and each has its own rules. Some are for individual learners, some are for employers, and a few can be combined on the same course. The table below lists the main ones.
| Scheme | Who it is for | What it does |
|---|---|---|
| SSG/SWDA course fee subsidy | Learners and employers on approved courses | Lowers the course fee before other schemes apply |
| SkillsFuture Credit (SFC) | Singapore Citizens aged 25 and above, with a mid-career credit from age 40 | Pays course fees that remain after the subsidy |
| UTAP | Full NTUC members | Pays 50% of the fee left after other funding, up to a yearly cap |
| PSEA | Singapore Citizens with a Post-Secondary Education Account, until the year they turn 31 | Pays for approved programmes at approved institutions |
| Absentee Payroll funding | Employers | Contributes S$4.50 per training hour towards staff time |
| SkillsFuture Enterprise Credit (SFEC) | Employers with credit under the scheme | Covers up to 90% of out-of-pocket costs on supportable programmes |
| Enterprise Innovation Scheme (EIS) | Businesses in Singapore | Up to 400% tax deduction or 20% cash payout on qualifying training fees |
What funding can individuals use?
The SSG/SWDA subsidy comes first. SSG is SkillsFuture Singapore, now part of the Skills and Workforce Development Agency (SWDA). GoBusiness lists funding of up to 70% for courses at Continuing Education and Training (CET) Centres and up to 50% for certifiable courses, and the fee left afterwards is your net fee. Our guide to the SSG/SWDA course fee subsidy and net fee shows how to read it.
SFC is next. According to the MySkillsFuture portal, Singapore Citizens aged 25 and above receive S$500 that does not expire and can be used on top of course fee subsidies. Citizens aged 40 and above also receive a S$4,000 mid-career credit for selected courses. Our SkillsFuture Credit guide walks through the claim. Other schemes for learners aged 40 and above, such as the SkillsFuture Mid-Career Enhanced Subsidy, apply to selected courses only, so ask the provider whether a course qualifies.
Full NTUC members can add UTAP, which pays 50% of the fee left after other funding. Singapore Citizens who hold a Post-Secondary Education Account can use the PSEA for approved programmes at approved institutions.
What funding can employers use?
Employers benefit from the same SSG/SWDA subsidy, and three more schemes sit on top:
- Absentee Payroll funding pays S$4.50 per training hour, up to S$100,000 per organisation per calendar year, when the employer pays the course fee in full for a Singapore Citizen, Permanent Resident or LTVP+ trainee.
- The SkillsFuture Enterprise Credit is a one-off S$10,000 for employers that qualified under the scheme. Enterprise Singapore’s FAQ says it covers up to 90% of out-of-pocket costs on supportable programmes, with S$7,000 as the cap for enterprise transformation, and the credit applies automatically to supportable programmes. Ask Enterprise Singapore whether your company still has credit.
- The Enterprise Innovation Scheme gives a business up to a 400% tax deduction on the first S$400,000 of qualifying training fees in a year of assessment, or a 20% cash payout on up to S$100,000 of converted spend.
How do the schemes combine?
For an individual learner the order is the subsidy, then SFC, then UTAP. NTUC calculates UTAP on the fee that remains after the subsidy and any credit. The PSEA can pay approved fees from its own balance.
For an employer, the subsidy lowers the fee first. Absentee Payroll funding works on staff hours, so it is separate from the fee. The EIS works on the amount the company pays, because IRAS calculates qualifying spend net of any government grant or subsidy.
The example below uses invented figures for an individual learner and does not describe a real course.
| Step | Amount |
|---|---|
| Full course fee | S$2,000 |
| After a 50% subsidy | S$1,000 |
| After S$500 of SFC | S$500 |
| After UTAP at 50% | S$250 |
The figures above leave out GST. GST is based on the full course fee at 9% and is not covered by subsidies, so on a S$2,000 course the GST is S$180, payable on top.
Which scheme should you check first?
Learners should start with the course listing on the MySkillsFuture portal and the provider’s fee breakdown, then check SFC, UTAP and PSEA in that order. Employers should confirm that the course is funded, then look at Absentee Payroll funding and the EIS together. Our checklist for confirming a course is funded lists the questions to put to a provider.
Get help with funding from our team
QD Academy’s courses are taught by practitioners and funded for eligible learners. Our team checks which schemes apply to you and helps with the paperwork and claims for our own courses. See the Grants and Subsidies page for our calculators, or open a course page: Developing an Effective Customer Journey Map Using AI and Automation, AI-Powered Productivity Strategies for the Modern Workplace or Mastering AI for Sales Growth and Team Dynamics. Check the course page for the latest dates, fees and funding.
Which funding can an individual use for a course?
An individual can use the SSG/SWDA subsidy, SkillsFuture Credit if they are a Singapore Citizen aged 25 or above, UTAP if they are a full NTUC member and the PSEA if they hold an account. Each scheme has its own conditions, so check the course and the scheme before you enrol.
Can a company get funding for staff training?
Yes. Employers can use the SSG/SWDA subsidy, Absentee Payroll funding, the SkillsFuture Enterprise Credit if they hold credit, and the Enterprise Innovation Scheme as a tax deduction or cash payout.
Can I use more than one scheme on the same course?
Often yes. SkillsFuture Credit is used on top of the SSG/SWDA subsidy, and UTAP is calculated on the fee left after both. Employer schemes work on different parts of the cost, but each has its own conditions, so confirm them before you rely on a combination.
Where do I check my SkillsFuture Credit balance?
Log in to the MySkillsFuture portal with Singpass to check your available credit and submit a claim. The claim is submitted online before the course start date.
Does QD Academy help with funding paperwork?
Yes. Our team checks which schemes apply to you and helps with the paperwork and claims for our own courses.