In an ever-evolving job market, Singapore has consistently prioritized skills development to keep its workforce competitive. The Workfare Skills Support – Basic (WSS – Basic) scheme plays a pivotal role in this mission by helping lower-income Singaporeans gain access to affordable training. This initiative acknowledges the challenges faced by older workers, individuals with special needs, and low-wage earners, ensuring that financial constraints do not stand in the way of professional growth.
The scheme delivers multi-faceted benefits, including direct financial support through training allowances, rewards for course completion, and employer support incentives. WSS – Basic is inclusive—whether you’re self-employed or employed under a company, the support structure is designed to help you upskill without compromising your income or job. It promotes not just education but long-term employability and resilience.
As part of the government’s broader workforce strategy, this scheme is tailored to drive up participation in continuous learning. It not only motivates individuals to learn but also supports employers in their efforts to train staff. With enhancements planned under Budget 2025, Singapore is clearly laying strong groundwork for future-ready skills development.
Overview of the WSS – Basic Scheme
WSS – Basic is a part of Singapore’s broader Workfare Skills Support framework aimed at incentivizing low-wage citizens to enhance their job skills. The scheme is structured around three main components:
- Training Allowance (TA): Supports learners during training.
- Training Commitment Award (TCA): Offers cash rewards for successful course completions.
- Absentee Payroll (AP): Reimburses employers for wage loss when staff attend training.
These pillars work collectively to empower both individuals and businesses to embrace skills upgrading.
Eligibility Criteria for WSS – Basic
To qualify, applicants must:
- Be Singapore Citizens.
- Be aged 30 and above, or at least 13 if they have special needs.
- Be employed or self-employed with income documentation.
- Earn a gross monthly income of $2,500 or less over the past 12 months (increasing to $3,000 from July 2025).
- Reside in a property with an annual value below $21,000.
- Own no more than one property.
- If married, jointly own no more than one property, and the spouse’s income must be under $70,000 from the previous year.
Eligibility can be checked via the Workfare eService using Singpass.
Training Allowance (TA): Earn While You Learn
Self-sponsored individuals can receive $6 per training hour, up to a cap of 180 hours annually. This allowance is applicable only for outcome-based training or those aligned with the Progressive Wage Model (PWM) and must be taken during the eligibility period. This helps ensure income continuity while focusing on upskilling.
Training Commitment Award (TCA): Rewards for Finishing Strong
WSS – Basic also offers rewards for course completion, structured as:
- $800 for completing a full WSQ or Academic CET qualification.
- $100 each for two shorter certifiable courses (up to $200 total), such as WSQ Statements of Attainment or modular CET certificates.
This tiered system is designed to reward both comprehensive training and smaller skill-building efforts.
Absentee Payroll (AP): Incentives for Employers
For employer-sponsored employees, companies can claim up to 95% of the trainee’s basic hourly salary, with a cap of $13 per training hour. This benefit ensures that businesses—especially SMEs—can continue supporting staff training without impacting productivity or bearing excessive wage burdens.
Application Process: Automatic for Employees, Simple for Self-Employed
Employees do not need to apply individually—their employers or training providers will handle the process. Self-employed individuals, however, must submit a claim form along with:
- Proof of self-employment (e.g., contracts, ACRA documents).
- Course information (title, dates, provider name).
Applications can be submitted via this link, and employers can use the Enterprise Portal for Jobs and Skills to apply online.
What’s Next? WSS (Level Up) in 2026
Announced in Budget 2025, WSS Level Up will launch in early 2026, expanding the support even further:
- Up to $18,000/year for full-time learners.
- Up to $3,600/year for part-time learners.
These enhancements reflect a strategic investment in long-term, structured learning for all Singaporeans.
Contact and support
For inquiries, call the WSS hotline at 1800 536 8333 or visit the Enterprise Portal for detailed guidance.