In Singapore, hiring grants are designed to encourage businesses to hire and train Singaporean workers, particularly fresh graduates, mid-career switchers, and mature workers. While the specific eligibility criteria may vary slightly between different schemes, most hiring grants in Singapore share several common basic requirements:
Basic Requirements for Most Hiring Grants in Singapore
1. Registered Business in Singapore
- The company must be registered with ACRA (Accounting and Corporate Regulatory Authority).
- The business must be physically operating in Singapore.
2. Financially Viable and Active
- The employer should be financially stable, with no ongoing liquidation, bankruptcy, or major legal disputes.
- Most grants require that the company be actively hiring and not just registered as a shell entity.
3. Hiring of Singapore Citizens or PRs
- The grants are only applicable to local hires—i.e., Singapore Citizens and Permanent Residents (PRs).
- Employment of foreigners does not qualify for most government hiring grants.
4. CPF Contributions
- The employer must make CPF contributions for the employee, reflecting that the employment is legitimate and properly accounted for.
5. Job Must Be Meaningful and Pay Market-Rate Wages
- The job role must offer relevant on-the-job training or structured upskilling.
- Wages offered should meet minimum salary thresholds (varies by grant) and be commensurate with market norms.
6. Employment Type
- The role must usually be full-time and permanent, or at least contractual with a minimum duration (e.g., 12 months).
- Part-time or freelance roles typically do not qualify unless stated otherwise.
7. Training Commitment (if applicable)
- For training-based hiring grants like Career Conversion Programmes (CCP) or SkillsFuture Career Transition Programme (SCTP), the employer must:
- Offer structured training and supervision.
- Collaborate with WSG-accredited training providers (if required).
8. No Retrenchment or Redundancy
- The employer must not have conducted retrenchments shortly before or after applying for the grant.
- The grant should not be used to offset or replace existing headcount.
Additional Criteria Depending on the Grant
| Grant Scheme | Additional Key Requirements |
|---|---|
| Career Conversion Programme (CCP) | Role must involve significant reskilling; salary support is up to 90% for mature workers (aged 40+) |
| Job Growth Incentive (JGI) (when active) | Employer must increase overall local headcount and maintain existing local employees |
| SGUnited Mid-Career Pathways Programme | For candidates aged 40+, employer offers structured attachment (often 4–6 months) |
| Enabling Employment Credit | For hiring persons with disabilities or senior workers aged 55+ |
| Productivity Solutions Grant – Job Redesign | Must result in significant job transformation and improved productivity; often paired with HR tech tools |
Tips for Employers
- Keep proper hiring and training records: Grant audits may require employment contracts, CPF submissions, and training plans.
- Apply before or shortly after hiring: Some grants require pre-approval or prompt application (e.g., within 90 days of hiring).
- Stay updated with Workforce Singapore (WSG) or Enterprise Singapore: They administer most hiring-related grants and publish guidelines regularly.