Field note · Funding

The Complete SME Guide to the NTUC CTC Grant

Up to 70% funding for business and workforce transformation. This guide addresses the specific questions around worker employment status, duration, and wage increments — so you can advise your clients accurately.

The NTUC Company Training Committee (CTC) Grantis a powerful, flexible funding tool for transformation projects. Administered by NTUC's e2i, it covers up to 70% of costs — including software, consultancy, and training.

Unlike many other grants, this scheme does not require you to use “pre-approved” vendors. It focuses on holistic business and workforce transformation.

Part 1 · Vendor eligibility

You are not limited to a vendor list.

• Can the vendor be an individual? Yes. You can hire individuals (sole proprietors, freelancers, experts) or corporations.
• The criteria. The government does not “license” vendors for this grant. As long as your vendor is a legally registered business entity in Singapore (they must have a UEN to issue a valid tax invoice), they are eligible.
• Your strategy. Ensure your vendor provides a clear, itemised quotation that separates software, consultancy, and training. This transparency is vital for the approval process.

Part 2 · Worker outcomes & eligibility

The grant co-funds because you commit to workforce upliftment.

1. Who counts as an “eligible worker”?

• Citizenship. The workers benefiting from the outcomes must be Singapore Citizens or Permanent Residents.
• Employment type. Part-time and fractional staff are eligible, provided they are legally employed by the company (i.e. you are making regular CPF contributions for them).
• Employment duration. There is no strict “minimum tenure.” The workers must be current, active employees at the time of the project and the claim — the individuals whose roles are being transformed by your project.

2. How much of a wage “bump” is required?

• No fixed minimum. There is no government-mandated dollar amount or percentage.
• The principle of commensuration. The wage increase or allowance must be commensurate with the scale of your grant funding and the productivity gains realised.
• How to prove it. Submit payroll records (CPF statements or payslips) to prove the new, higher salary or the disbursement of the allowance.

Example — a $50,000 project that results in a $10 “one-time token” reward for a staff member will be rejected. Best practice: aim for a meaningful increase (e.g. ~5% of base salary or a substantial skills allowance) that clearly shows e2i the worker is sharing in the value created by the AI implementation.

Part 3 · Step-by-step claiming process

Sequence matters more than anything else here.

1. 01Form a CTC. Email e2i.sg/ctcenquiries to form a committee. An officer will guide you.
2. 02Develop & endorse. Create a transformation plan with your vendor. Get it signed by your management and the NTUC / Worker Representative.
3. 03Apply via portal. Submit the application on grants.e2i.com.sg.
4. 04Accept LOA. Upon approval, accept the Letter of Award in the portal.
5. 05Execute & pay. Implement the project. Pay your vendor in full (100%).
6. 06Claim. Within one month of project completion, submit your claim.

For the claim, you will need:

• Invoices & bank statements. Proof that you paid the vendor in full.
• Outcome report. Evidence the project achieved its productivity goals.
• Evidence of worker outcomes. Payroll records (for wage increases) or signed Career Development Plan (CDP) documentation.

Part 4 · Insider tips to reduce hurdles

Small moves that keep the file moving.

• Pre-submission review. Before submitting on the portal, email your draft to your assigned e2i officer. They will tell you if your proposed wage bump or CDP is sufficient to meet their approval threshold.
• Avoid vague costs. Clearly separate software vs. consultancy vs. training in your quote. Bundled into one “lump sum,” processing is significantly delayed.
• Bank records are proof. Use your corporate bank account to pay the vendor. Cash payments or personal transfers are generally not accepted as valid proof of payment for government grants.
• Meaningful CDP. If you choose a Career Development Plan over a wage increase, make the document formal: a clear before-and-after role description, evidence of training, and the worker's written acknowledgment of their new career path.

This is a general reference, not grant or financial advice, and cerolab is not a pre-approved vendor for any scheme. Rules and thresholds change — verify current details with your assigned e2i officer and at e2i.com.sg. Figures and timelines above reflect general practice, not a guarantee of approval.