In a positive turn of events, approximately 4,500 employees are set to receive a pay increase averaging 5% above their annual increment through the NTUC Company Training Committee (CTC) Grant scheme. These workers, representing a total of 6,000 staff members across 260 companies benefiting from CTC grants, are poised to gain not only a financial boost but also structured career development opportunities under the Career Development Plan (CDP).
NTUC’s initiative aims to support companies undergoing transformation by co-funding up to 70% of qualifying costs to enhance productivity, job redesign, and overall staff prospects. This proactive step by the National Trades Union Congress offers companies the flexibility to utilize grant funds for in-house and external training, consultancy services, or equipment-related training.
Since its inception in 2019, NTUC has successfully established over 2,700 CTCs, surpassing its initial target of 2,500 by 2025. NTUC secretary-general Ng Chee Meng expressed optimism, stating, “Three in four will have better wages with improved productivity, and the others can look forward to better work prospects.”
Companies eligible for the grant commit to providing workers with a skills allowance, whether recurrent or one-time, acknowledging their dedication to upskilling efforts. NTUC customizes the allowance based on project needs, ensuring a tailored approach for each case.
A prime example of this initiative in action is Raffles Hotel Singapore, planning to transition from a decade-old server-based system to a modern cloud-based, paperless procurement platform. This overhaul aims to streamline operations, enhance productivity, and eliminate manual processes for tasks like food and beverage ingredient procurement for the hotel’s Long Bar and Butcher’s Block restaurant.
Raffles Hotel Singapore purchasing manager, Terence Lim, highlighted the benefits of the new system, stating, “In the hotel, we can receive real-time notifications from suppliers and make payment without using physical documents.” This transition will involve training nearly 100 employees, some of whom will undergo job redesign and upskilling to adapt to the upgraded system post its 2025 implementation.
With the NTUC CTC Grant paving the way for enhanced wages and upskilling opportunities, both companies and employees stand to benefit from long-term growth and development.
