Top Hiring Grants in Singapore and How Companies Can Qualify for Them

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Hiring the right people is one of the most important factors in helping Singapore businesses grow. But for many SMEs, rising manpower costs, increasing training needs, and a limited pool of experienced workers make hiring a challenge. To support companies in building a strong and competitive workforce, the Singapore government offers multiple hiring grants that reduce salary costs, subsidise training, and encourage companies to recruit local talent confidently.

In this article, we explore the top hiring grants available in Singapore and explain how companies can qualify for each one. Whether you are growing your team, transforming your business, or redesigning job roles, understanding these grants will help you take full advantage of available support.

1. Why Hiring Grants Matter for Singapore Companies

Before diving into the specific grants, it’s important to understand why hiring grants are such a powerful tool for businesses, especially SMEs.

1.1 They Reduce Manpower Costs

Hiring grants offset a portion of salaries or training costs, helping businesses expand without facing immediate financial pressure.

1.2 They Improve Hiring Confidence

With grants supporting part of the employee’s salary, SMEs feel more comfortable hiring mid-career individuals, fresh graduates, or trainees.

1.3 They Support Long-Term Skill Development

Many grants include structured training components, which build stronger workforce capabilities.

1.4 They Strengthen Talent Pipelines

By using hiring grants effectively, companies can attract:

  • Mid-career switchers
  • Fresh graduates
  • Senior employees
  • Persons with disabilities

This widens the available talent pool and supports business expansion.

2. Top Hiring Grants in Singapore

Below are the hiring grants most relevant to Singapore SMEs today. Each one serves a different purpose and targets a different segment of the workforce.

2.1 Career Conversion Programme (CCP)

The Career Conversion Programme (CCP) is one of the most popular hiring grants in Singapore. It helps companies hire mid-career individuals who are switching industries or roles.

What Support Does CCP Provide?

  • Up to 70% salary support for the training duration
  • Up to 90% salary support for mature or long-term unemployed workers
  • 3–6 months of structured training, depending on job type

Why CCP Is Valuable

Many industries face talent shortages, especially in digital, tech, logistics, healthcare, and engineering roles. CCP helps companies onboard mid-career individuals with reduced financial risk.

How Companies Qualify

  1. The employee must be a Singapore Citizen or PR.
  2. The employee must be new to the role, meaning they are switching careers or industries.
  3. The company must commit to a structured On-the-Job Training (OJT) plan.
  4. The job role must be of reasonable duration and salary.
  5. Companies must apply before the employee starts training.

2.2 Career Trial

Career Trial is designed for companies that prefer to assess a candidate’s fit through a short-term trial before offering full-time employment.

What Support Does Career Trial Provide?

  • Salary support of up to $300 per month for employers
  • Trial duration: 2 weeks to 3 months
  • Training allowances for jobseekers

Why Career Trial Is Useful

It helps companies avoid mismatched hires, reducing turnover and hiring risks.

How Companies Qualify

  1. The company must offer a real job opportunity after the trial.
  2. The job must meet training requirements and working hours.
  3. The trial must be conducted under proper supervision.
  4. Employers must register for Career Trial before starting the candidate.

2.3 SGUnited Mid-Career Pathways Programme (SGUP)

This programme provides attachment opportunities for mid-career individuals to gain industry experience.

What Support Does SGUP Provide?

  • Funding support for allowances provided to trainees
  • Up to 90% subsidy for mature trainees
  • Flexible attachment durations (4–9 months)

Why SGUP Is Valuable

  • No obligation for employers to hire after attachment
  • Companies can try out potential employees
  • Useful for testing new job roles or projects

How Companies Qualify

  1. The company must provide structured training and supervision.
  2. The role must be meaningful and beneficial for skills development.
  3. Companies must apply through the appointed programme partners.

2.4 SkillsFuture Work-Study Programmes (WSP)

These programmes help companies hire fresh graduates from polytechnics and ITEs through a structured learning pathway.

What Support Does WSP Provide?

  • Up to $15,000 in grant support per trainee
  • Structured training curriculum co-developed by training providers
  • Mentorship support
  • Improved talent retention among youths

Why WSP Is Effective

Fresh graduates receive both academic and on-the-job training, making them more capable and reliable employees.

How Companies Qualify

  1. Offer a suitable full-time role to eligible graduates.
  2. Provide structured on-the-job training based on programme requirements.
  3. Ensure proper mentorship is available.
  4. Work closely with SkillsFuture Singapore-appointed institutions.

2.5 Enabling Employment Credit (EEC)

The Enabling Employment Credit helps employers who hire persons with disabilities (PWDs).

What Support Does EEC Provide?

  • Up to 20% wage offset, capped at $6,000 per year
  • Additional support for senior employees with disabilities

Why EEC Matters

It encourages companies to adopt inclusive hiring practices while also expanding the available workforce.

How Companies Qualify

  1. Hire a person with disabilities who is a Singapore Citizen or PR.
  2. Pay the employee CPF contributions.
  3. Submit regular payroll details for claim processing.

2.6 Senior Employment Credit (SEC)

Senior Employment Credit supports employers who hire or retain senior workers aged 55 and above.

What Support Does SEC Provide?

  • Wage offsets of varying percentages
  • Support is automatically disbursed (no application needed)

Why SEC Is Beneficial

Experienced senior workers bring stability and valuable knowledge to SMEs.

How Companies Qualify

  1. Hire eligible senior workers who are Singapore Citizens.
  2. Pay CPF contributions accordingly.
  3. Maintain proper payroll documentation.
  4. Ensure salary levels fall within qualifying limits.

2.7 Part-Time Re-employment Grant (PTRG)

This grant supports companies in offering more flexible work arrangements for senior workers.

What Support Does PTRG Provide?

  • Funding support to companies implementing flexible re-employment practices
  • Helps employers retain experienced workers

How Companies Qualify

  1. Implement approved part-time re-employment processes.
  2. Provide fair and reasonable terms to eligible senior employees.
  3. Apply through MOM/WSG channels when the grant period is open.

3. How Companies Can Qualify for Hiring Grants: A Complete Checklist

While each grant has its own eligibility criteria, most hiring grants share common requirements. Below is a full checklist to help SMEs ensure they qualify.

3.1 Company Eligibility Requirements

Most grants require the company to:

  • Be registered in Singapore (ACRA)
  • Be financially stable and able to pay employee salaries
  • Provide legitimate employment opportunities
  • Maintain proper HR and payroll systems
  • Have no outstanding government funding issues

3.2 Employee Eligibility Requirements

Depending on the grant, the employee must typically be:

  • A Singapore Citizen or PR
  • Either a fresh graduate, mid-career worker, senior employee, or a person with disabilities
  • Fulfilling criteria like career-switching (for CCP)

3.3 Job Role Requirements

The job must:

  • Offer structured training
  • Offer market-competitive wages
  • Be full-time or structured part-time depending on the grant
  • Provide career progression opportunities
  • Include on-the-job or external training

3.4 Training Requirements

Many hiring grants require training that is:

  • Documented
  • Structured
  • Relevant to the job
  • Verified through attendance or performance records

Companies must be prepared to show:

  • Training schedules
  • Curriculum
  • Performance reports
  • OJT attendance records

3.5 Application Requirements

For CCP

  • Apply before starting training or employment
  • Provide job descriptions, company profile, and training plan

For Career Trial

  • Register the job role in the Career Trial portal
  • Conduct trial training within approved guidelines

For SGUP Attachments

  • Submit project scopes and supervision plans
  • Provide training updates

For WSP

  • Collaborate with ITE/polytechnic training partners

For EEC & SEC

  • Ensure payroll and CPF submissions are accurate
  • Claims may be automated depending on programme

4. Tips for SMEs to Maximise Hiring Grant Benefits

Hiring grants can be extremely valuable, but only if used strategically. Here are some best practices to help companies maximise benefits:

4.1 Match the Right Grant to the Right Role

Different positions are better suited to different grants.
Examples:

  • Tech roles → CCP
  • Retail/service roles → Career Trial
  • Fresh grad roles → Work-Study Programmes
  • Inclusive hiring → EEC

4.2 Start the Application Early

Some grants require approval before hiring or before training begins. Starting early avoids delays.

4.3 Build a Structured Training Framework

A good training plan helps:

  • Improve employee performance
  • Meet grant audit requirements
  • Increase staff retention

4.4 Keep Proper Documentation

Grant claims often require:

  • Employment contracts
  • Training logs
  • Salary slips
  • CPF contribution records

Good HR documentation ensures smooth grant disbursement.

4.5 Combine Grants (Where Allowed)

Certain grants can be used alongside others, such as pairing CCP with the Senior Employment Credit.

4.6 Review Your Manpower Plans Regularly

As your business grows, you may qualify for new grants or need different types of roles.

Conclusion

Hiring grants in Singapore offer businesses a powerful opportunity to strengthen their workforce while managing manpower costs. With grants like the Career Conversion Programme, Career Trial, SGUnited Mid-Career Pathways, Work-Study Programmes, Enabling Employment Credit, and Senior Employment Credit, SMEs have access to a strong support framework to hire confidently and grow sustainably.

By understanding how each grant works, qualifying criteria, and application steps, companies can strategically tap into available support to build skilled teams, reduce financial pressures, and accelerate business expansion.

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