Do I need to be unionised to get the NTUC CTC Grant?

No. The CTC Grant is open to both unionised and non-unionised companies. Non-unionised SMEs form a Company Training Committee through NTUC's SME Partners route, where NTUC provides the worker representative. Staff are not required to join a union.

How much does the NTUC CTC Grant cover?

Up to 70% of qualifying project costs, covering consultancy services, training (in-house training at $9 per hour per worker and external non-SSG-supported courses at up to 70%), and equipment and software needed for the transformation. The actual quantum is assessed per project by e2i.

What is the deadline for the CTC Grant?

The application window has been extended to 31 March 2028, as confirmed by e2i, the grant administrator. Projects run up to 12 months from the Letter of Award.

What projects qualify for the CTC Grant?

Business or workforce transformation projects that benefit local employees — for example adopting AI and digital tools with redesigned job roles, implementing ISO management systems as part of an operational transformation, or structured upskilling programmes. The project must commit to worker outcomes: a wage increase, a career development plan, or a skills allowance for impacted staff.

Can a consultant apply for the CTC Grant on my behalf?

No — e2i rejects third-party submissions. Your company submits the application directly on the e2i Grant Portal. A consultant such as Sage Shield can prepare the transformation plan, costings and documentation with you, so that submission is a formality.

NTUC CTC Grant Singapore — Fund 70% of Your Business Transformation

Name: Sage Shield Safety Consultants Pte Ltd
Price range: $$

The NTUC Company Training Committee (CTC) Grant funds up to 70% of business transformation projects — consultancy, training, equipment and software — for every Singapore-registered company, unionised or not. It is one of the most generous and least-known grants available to SMEs, with the application window confirmed open until 31 March 2028.

What the CTC Grant covers

Consultancy services — transformation planning and implementation, including ISO management systems, digitalisation and AI adoption projects.
Training — in-house training funded at $9/hour per worker; external courses at up to 70% of the fee (courses must not be SSG-supported).
Equipment & software — systems and tools needed for the transformation, including AI and digital tooling.

Who qualifies

Any legally registered Singapore entity — there is no minimum headcount or revenue. The two real requirements:

Form a Company Training Committee (CTC) — a joint management–worker committee set up with NTUC. Non-unionised SMEs use NTUC’s SME Partners route, where NTUC provides the worker representative. No union membership is required — this is the most common misconception about the grant.
Commit to worker outcomes. The project must benefit your local (Singaporean/PR) employees through at least one of: a wage increase, an implemented career development plan, or a skills allowance. This commitment is written into the Letter of Award and checked at claim.

How the application works — five steps

Form your CTC with NTUC (we guide you through this — it is a committee, not a union agreement).
Build the transformation plan — project scope, costings, and worker-outcome commitments in the format e2i expects.
Free pre-submission review — e2i officially offers a review before you file.
Submit on the e2i Grant Portal — applications must come from your company directly; the Letter of Award typically follows in about 4–6 weeks.
Deliver and claim — projects run up to 12 months from award; claims are filed within one month of completion.

What kind of projects get funded

NTUC has committed over $13 million to more than 100 AI-related projects alone, alongside hundreds of broader transformation projects. Typical SME projects we scope:

AI and digital adoption with redesigned job roles — document automation, customer-service AI, workflow tooling, paired with staff upskilling. See our AI governance services.
ISO management system implementation as part of an operational transformation — ISO 9001, ISO 45001, ISO 27001.
Structured workforce upskilling — including corporate safety and compliance training (our courses are non-SSG-supported, which is exactly what the CTC Grant funds).

How Sage Shield helps

We prepare the groundwork; you submit and receive the funding. Specifically: CTC set-up guidance and NTUC introductions, the transformation plan and costings, worker-outcome framing that meets grant criteria, and delivery of the funded consultancy and training itself. e2i rejects applications submitted by third parties — so we make sure yours is ready, and you click submit.

CTC Grant vs PSG vs EDG

The three schemes fund different things and can be combined on different cost lines of the same initiative — the same cost can never be funded twice. PSG funds pre-approved off-the-shelf solutions (our PSG guide); EDG funds larger custom projects with certified consultants (our EDG solutions); the CTC Grant funds transformation projects with committed worker outcomes — and is the only one of the three that funds non-SSG training at 70%.

Frequently asked questions

Do I need to be unionised?

No. Non-unionised SMEs qualify via NTUC’s SME Partners route, and staff are not required to join a union.

How much is covered?

Up to 70% of qualifying costs — consultancy, non-SSG training, equipment and software. Quantum is assessed per project by e2i.

When does it close?

The window is confirmed to 31 March 2028.

Can Sage Shield apply for me?

No one can — e2i rejects third-party submissions. We prepare everything; your company submits directly on the e2i Grant Portal.

Can I fund a project that has already started?

No — costs must be incurred after the Letter of Award start date. Scope the grant around your next phase, not past spending.

Grant approval and funding quantum are at the discretion of e2i/NTUC and assessed per project. Information correct as at August 2026 per e2i.com.sg and ntuc.org.sg.

Ask us whether your project qualifies