Enhanced Training Support for SMEs in Singapore 2026
Singapore SMEs qualify for enhanced training subsidies through the Enhanced Training Support for SMEs (ETSS) scheme. This means 90% course fee subsidies for all employees regardless of age, higher Absentee Payroll rates, and priority access to SkillsFuture Enterprise Credit. Here is how to maximise your SME training budget.
- Company registered in Singapore with annual turnover ≤ $100 million or ≤ 200 employees
- Employees must be Singapore Citizens or Permanent Residents
- Courses must be SSG-funded and delivered by approved providers
- For SFEC: at least 3 Singapore Citizens/PRs earning $750+/month
- Enhanced subsidy auto-applied — no separate ETSS application needed
- Verify SME status on SSG Enterprise Portal (usually auto-determined)
- Check SFEC eligibility and accept if available
- Select SSG-funded courses for your employees
- Enrol — 90% ETSS subsidy auto-applied at registration
- Apply SFEC credits to cover remaining course fees
- Employees attend training
- Submit Absentee Payroll claims through Enterprise Portal
What Is Enhanced Training Support for SMEs?
The Enhanced Training Support for SMEs (ETSS) is SSG's recognition that smaller companies face greater barriers to investing in employee training. ETSS levels the playing field by giving SMEs access to the same enhanced subsidy rates that larger companies only get for employees aged 40+.
Under ETSS, every employee in your company — whether aged 25 or 55 — receives up to 90% course fee subsidies. This is the same rate that non-SMEs only get through the Mid-Career Enhanced Subsidy for workers over 40.
Do You Qualify as an SME?
SSG defines an SME as a company that meets either of these criteria:
- Annual sales turnover of not more than $100 million, OR
- Employment size of not more than 200 workers
Most companies in Singapore qualify. If you have fewer than 200 employees, you almost certainly meet the ETSS criteria.
Additional Requirements
- Company must be registered or incorporated in Singapore
- Employees being trained must be Singapore Citizens or Permanent Residents
- Training must be conducted by an SSG-approved training organisation
- Courses must be listed in the SSG course directory
ETSS Benefits Compared to Standard Rates
| Benefit | Standard (Non-SME) | SME (ETSS) |
|---|---|---|
| Course fee subsidy (under 40) | 70% | 90% |
| Course fee subsidy (40+) | 90% (MCES) | 90% |
| Absentee Payroll | $4.50/hr | Enhanced rates |
| SFEC eligibility | Criteria-based | Often auto-eligible |
| Annual AP cap | $100,000 | $100,000 |
The key advantage: Under ETSS, your 25-year-old employee gets the same 90% subsidy that a non-SME employee would only get at age 40+.
How to Access ETSS Subsidies
Step 1: Verify Your SME Status
Log in to the SSG Enterprise Portal with CorpPass. Your company's SME status is typically auto-determined based on ACRA records.
Step 2: Select SSG-Funded Courses
Browse the course directory for relevant training. AI, digital skills, and productivity courses are particularly relevant for SMEs looking to compete with larger companies.
Step 3: Enrol Employees
The enhanced 90% subsidy is automatically applied at enrolment. No separate ETSS application is needed — if you qualify as an SME, the rate is applied by default.
Step 4: Claim Absentee Payroll
After training, submit AP claims through the Enterprise Portal. SMEs receive enhanced rates to further offset salary costs.
Maximising Your SME Training Investment
Stack All Available Subsidies
An SME sending 5 employees to a $3,000 AI course:
| Component | Per Employee | Total (5 pax) |
|---|---|---|
| Course fee | $3,000 | $15,000 |
| ETSS subsidy (90%) | -$2,700 | -$13,500 |
| Remaining | $300 | $1,500 |
| SFEC credit | -$300 | -$1,500 |
| Absentee Payroll (40hrs) | -$180 | -$900 |
| Net cost | $0 | $0 + $900 AP |
By stacking ETSS + SFEC + AP, your company trains 5 employees for free and receives $900 in Absentee Payroll reimbursement.
Prioritise High-Impact Training
Focus training investment on:
- AI and automation — Multiply productivity without hiring more staff
- Digital marketing — Compete online against larger companies
- Data analytics — Make better decisions with data
- Leadership development — Develop managers from within
How Pertama Partners Helps SMEs
Pertama Partners specialises in AI training for SMEs across Singapore and Malaysia. We handle the subsidy paperwork, design programmes around your business needs, and ensure maximum funding utilisation.
Frequently Asked Questions
Frequently Asked Questions
ETSS is an SSG scheme that provides SMEs with 90% course fee subsidies for all employees regardless of age. Non-SMEs only get 90% for employees aged 40+. SMEs are defined as companies with turnover up to $100 million or up to 200 employees.
Companies with annual turnover up to $100 million or up to 200 employees automatically qualify. The enhanced rate is applied when you enrol employees in SSG-funded courses — no separate application needed.
SMEs receive up to 90% course fee subsidies for all employees, Absentee Payroll funding of $4.50+ per hour, and up to $10,000 in SkillsFuture Enterprise Credit. By stacking these, many SMEs train employees at zero net cost.
Yes. Under ETSS, all employees in qualifying SMEs receive 90% course fee subsidies regardless of age. This is a significant advantage over non-SMEs where only employees aged 40+ get the 90% rate.
Eligible SMEs are notified by SSG through the Enterprise Portal. Accept the offer, then apply the $10,000 credit when paying for SSG-funded training courses.
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