Funding Assistance for Union Members
Union members who initiate training on their own could be eligible for the following funding assistance:

• Enjoy 50% of unfunded course fee, capped at $500 each year subject to $1000 over 3 years for courses under Union Training Assistance Programme (UTAP)
• Up to 80% course fee funding from the government for courses under NTUC-Surrogate Employer’s Programme (NTUC-SEP)
• Training allowance of $5/hr for low-wage trainees under NTUC-Surrogate Employer’s Programme (NTUC-SEP)

What is UTAP?

UTAP (Union Training Assistance Programme) is a training benefit for union members to encourage more to upgrade their skills. From 1 January 2012, NTUC Members can enjoy 50% of unfunded course fee, capped at $500 each year subject to $1000 over 3 years.

Illustration:

Mr. Chan, 42, Admin Manager (Signed up for Instructional Design & Development Course)

Mrs. Ganesan, 48, Childcare Assistant (Signed up for Diploma in Early Childhood Care & Education)

Note:

· Members must ensure paid-up union member throughout whole course duration and at the point of claim.

· Members cannot claim for courses that are entirely funded through company sponsorship or other types of funding.

· The minimum claim is $10.

· Claim should excludes miscellaneous fees such as GST, registration fee and etc.

· Member must achieve a minimum of 75% attendance for each application and sat for all prescribed examinations (if any).

· Claim must be for a course pre-approved by UTAP.

How do I apply for UTAP?

Please visit our website at https://skillsupgrade.ntuc.org.sg/search_course.asp to view the full list of approved courses by the training providers. Once you have enrolled for the course with the training provider, submit your UTAP application via our website at http://skillsupgrade.ntuc.org.sg before course starts or no later than 6 months from your course end date inclusive of exams etc.

Please click here for step-by-step Online Application Guide.

ABOUT NTUC-SEP

1) What is NTUC-SEP?
NTUC-SEP is referring to Surrogate Employer’s Programme (SEP) is a programme whereby NTUC as a Surrogate Employer assists employed union members, who are unable to get their employer sponsorship to obtain course fees funding support for certificate training. To be eligible for funding assistance under NTUC-SEP, all members must meet the following criteria:

• Singaporean or Singapore permanent resident
• Gainfully employed throughout course duration (including exams)
• Must be a first time application for this course. NTUC-SEP will not fund courses which were previously funded through company sponsorship or other types of funding.
• Paid-up union membership fees throughout whole course duration and at the point of claim
• Attend only ONE course at any ONE time
  Note: All the above criteria must be fulfilled.

2) How much will I be eligible under NTUC-SEP?

(i.) Course Fee Funding

(ii.) Funding from UTAP
From 1 January 2012, NTUC Members can enjoy 50% of unfunded course fee, capped at $500 each year subject to $1000 over 3 years.

(iii.) Training Allowance (Applicable for Low-Wage Members only)
Training Allowance is funded at $5 per course hour, capped at $9,000 per year. This is only applicable for low-wage members who fall under any of the following categories:
* Earn a monthly gross salary of S$1,700 and below;
* Earn a monthly basic salary of S$1,400 and below;

3) How can I apply for funding assistance under NTUC-SEP?
Submit application via http://skillsupgrade.ntuc.org.sg at least 30 days but not more than 60 days before course start with the following documents:

• Copy of NRIC (Front & Back)
• Copy of Bank Account
• Copy of Latest Payslip
• Copy of Temporary membership pass (if you are a new member)

Before submission of application, please do inform the training provider that you are applying NTUC-SEP funding.
Note: Late applications will be rejected.

4) How do I know whether my application is approved?
You will receive a notification stating the funding items you are eligible for, upon application approval. You will only need to pay the net course fees to the training provider upon confirmation of your course enrolment.

5) When can I receive the funds under NTUC-SEP?
Your course fee support will be paid directly to the training provider. However, you will receive UTAP (and training allowance if eligible) after the course has ended.

Upon course completion, your training provider will assist to file claim with NTUC-SEP on your behalf, usually within 1 month from course end date. Reimbursement will be made within 3 months from the date of claim, on basis that all necessary information has been submitted.

6) Who can I contact for further enquiries?