The SkillsFuture Enterprise Credit (SFEC) is one of the most straightforward government grants available to Singapore employers — a one-off S$10,000 credit that can be used to offset the out-of-pocket costs of workforce transformation programmes. Yet many eligible businesses either do not know it exists or have not yet used it before it lapses.

This guide explains what SFEC is, who qualifies, what you can use it for, how to apply it, and what happens if you do not use it in time.

I. What Is the SkillsFuture Enterprise Credit?

The SkillsFuture Enterprise Credit (SFEC) is a one-off government initiative that provides eligible employers with S$10,000 in credits to encourage investment in workforce transformation. It was introduced as part of Singapore’s broader SkillsFuture movement and is administered jointly by the Enterprise Singapore and the SkillsFuture Singapore agency.

SFEC can be used to cover up to 90% of the out-of-pocket expenses of qualifying workforce training and business transformation programmes, with no dollar-for-dollar matching required. This makes it one of the most straightforward grants for Singapore SMEs — there is no competitive application, no complicated proposal to write, and no project milestones to report.

II. Who Qualifies for SFEC?

To be eligible for the SFEC, a Singapore-registered employer must meet the following criteria:

  • The business is registered or incorporated in Singapore
  • The business has at least three Singapore Citizens or Permanent Residents on its payroll who have been contributing to CPF for at least six months in the qualifying period
  • The business has not been debarred from government grants or assistance

Sole proprietorships, partnerships, and companies all qualify, provided they meet the CPF-contributing employee threshold. Charitable and non-profit organisations registered with the Commissioner of Charities may also be eligible.

Unlike many other Singapore government grants, there is no requirement for the business to demonstrate a specific project or innovation initiative. The SFEC is automatically credited to eligible employers — you do not need to apply for the credit itself.

III. How Does SFEC Work?

The Credit Is Pre-Loaded

Eligible employers do not apply for SFEC in the traditional sense. Enterprise Singapore automatically assesses eligibility and pre-loads the S$10,000 credit into the business’s account on the Business Grants Portal (BGP). You can check your credit balance by logging in to BGP with CorpPass.

Offset Against Qualifying Programmes

You use the SFEC credit by paying for qualifying programmes through the approved channels, and then claiming the reimbursement through BGP. SFEC can be applied against out-of-pocket expenses for approved programmes such as:

  • Enterprise development and transformation programmes approved by Enterprise Singapore (including the EDGE grant, which consolidates PSG, EDG, and MRA)
  • Workforce transformation programmes under the Skills Development Fund (SDF)
  • SkillsFuture courses and IHL-linked programmes
  • Other programmes approved by Enterprise Singapore or the relevant agency

SFEC covers up to 90% of the out-of-pocket cost after other subsidies. If a programme already has a high government co-funding rate, the remaining out-of-pocket component may be small — but SFEC can still cover 90% of that remainder.

Cannot Be Stacked with Some Grants

SFEC can generally be stacked alongside other grants (such as the EDGE grant), as long as the total funding claimed does not exceed the actual cost of the programme. However, you cannot claim SFEC reimbursement for the same dollar that has already been fully subsidised by another grant. See our guide on how to stack Singapore government grants for more on this.

IV. What SFEC Cannot Be Used For

The SFEC credit cannot be used to pay for:

  • General operating expenses (rent, utilities, salaries)
  • Equipment purchases unrelated to workforce training
  • Non-approved training providers
  • Programmes that have already received full government co-funding with no out-of-pocket cost

V. SFEC and the EDGE Grant: Using Both

Many Singapore businesses wonder whether they can use SFEC and the EDGE grant simultaneously. The answer is yes — they cover different cost components. The EDGE grant (which consolidated the EDG, PSG, and MRA from 2026) supports the qualifying project costs of your transformation initiative. SFEC then offsets up to 90% of your remaining out-of-pocket portion.

For example: if a qualifying EDGE project costs S$50,000 and the EDGE grant covers 50% (S$25,000), your out-of-pocket cost is S$25,000. SFEC can cover up to 90% of that remaining S$25,000 (i.e., up to S$22,500) — but subject to your S$10,000 SFEC credit balance. This means SFEC can almost fully offset your share of a qualifying project.

This stacking strategy is perfectly legitimate and widely used by well-advised Singapore SMEs. For sound business investment planning, mapping out your grant strategy before committing to major capability-building projects is strongly advisable.

VI. SFEC Expiry: Use It Before It Lapses

The SFEC is a one-off credit and has an expiry date. Businesses that do not use their credit before the deadline will forfeit it — there is no extension and no cash alternative. The expiry dates differ depending on when your business received its credit allocation.

Log in to BGP to check your SFEC balance and expiry date. If you have a remaining SFEC balance, prioritise using it by identifying qualifying programmes you were already planning to attend or implement.

For the latest Singapore grant updates, including any extensions or changes to SFEC deadlines, there are regularly updated resources for business owners.

VII. Other Workforce-Related Grants That Complement SFEC

SFEC works well alongside other grants for Singapore employers. You may also wish to explore:

  • Career Conversion Programmes (CCPs): Co-fund up to 90% of salary costs during job redesign and re-skilling
  • Workforce Singapore (WSG) Place-and-Train programmes: For hiring and training mid-career workers
  • Skills Development Levy (SDL): The levy you pay funds the SkillsFuture ecosystem, and courses funded through SDL can qualify for SFEC reimbursement

See our Singapore Company Compliance Calendar for a full overview of grant application deadlines and other key business dates.

If you need guidance on legal aspects of employment arrangements tied to grant-supported workforce transformation, we can point you in the right direction.

VIII. How Raffles Corporate Services Can Help

Raffles Corporate Services advises Singapore businesses on grant strategy, including SFEC, the EDGE grant, and other Enterprise Singapore programmes. We can help you check your SFEC eligibility, identify qualifying programmes, and submit claims via BGP.

To speak with the team at Raffles Corporate Services, you can email [email protected] or call, SMS, or WhatsApp +65 8501 7133. We are happy to assist with any queries.

— The Editorial Team, Raffles Corporate Services