Singapore Fact-File Part 6:
Individual Business Employment Issues

6.3 Singapore Apprenticeship and Work Experience Schemes

Apprenticeship schemes

For those looking to enter the technical industries, the Institute of Technical Education (ITE) offers a range of full and part time courses, in addition to traineeships in a number of areas, which combine both ‘on the job’ practical training in an employment environment, and ‘off the job’ technical training, either at an ITE college, or an approved training centre.

For local students and graduates looking to enter other areas, the Management Associate Partnership (MAP) and the Enterprise Internship Programme are available.

In the case of the MAP, local university graduates are matched with fast-growing SMEs for an 18-month period, during which the graduate is taught the various aspects of the business. Qualifying SMEs can receive up to SGD15,000 to defray the costs associated with employing and training the graduate.

Under the EIP, students at Singapore-based polytechnics and universities can work with SMEs under short-term internships; SPRING Singapore co-funds the weekly stipend for the student (SGD200 for polytechnic students, and SGD300 for university students)

Work experience schemes

It is possible to undertake work experience or internships in Singapore; a number of universities and placement agencies both nationally and internationally have agreements in place with employers.

Different passes will be required, depending on the situation of the applicant:

The Work Holiday Programme permit is likely to be of most interest to undergraduates (and those undertaking post-graduate study) aged 17-30, and from an approved university in Australia, France, Germany, Hong Kong, Japan, New Zealand, the United Kingdom, and the United States. The permit is valid for a six-month period, and because of the short duration, there are no restrictions on the areas in which the applicant can work.

The Training Employment Pass should be applied for by those foreign undergraduates or workers seeking to undertake practical training in relation to professional, specialist, managerial, or executive jobs. Where the applicant is an undergraduate (from an approved university), the attachment should be an essential part of their degree course.

Other requirements are that the applicant either holds an appropriate tertiary or professional qualification, or that they earn a fixed monthly salary in excess of SGD2,500.

The Training Work Permit is suitable for unskilled or semi-skilled foreign trainees, and for foreign students seeking to study in private educational institutions in Singapore. This type of permit is valid for six months.

For local students and graduates, the Management Associate Partnership (MAP) and the Enterprise Internship Programme are available.

In the case of the MAP, local university graduates are matched with fast-growing SMEs for an 18-month period, during which the graduate is taught the various aspects of the business. Qualifying SMEs can receive up to SGD15,000 to defray the costs associated with employing and training the graduate.

Under the EIP, students at Singapore-based polytechnics and universities can work with SMEs under short-term internships; SPRING Singapore co-funds the weekly stipend for the student (SGD200 for polytechnic students, and SGD300 for university students).

Introductory Guides

Fact-File

Part 1: Singapore Business Formation for Individuals

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