PROPOSED REVISION TO THE TALENT ASSISTANCE GRANT SCHEME

Changes to the Local Work Attachment Grant

1          Change of Name

The Local Work Attachment Grant will be renamed the Hire & Train (HiT) Grant to provide clarity that the grant aims to encourage the hiring and retention of fresh media graduates and mid-career switchers.

2          Changes to Eligibility Criteria

As of 1 June 2015, the eligibility criteria will be extended to include fresh media graduates from Private Education Institute (PEIs) as detailed below:

• Completed academic studies within the last twelve (12) months with an Institute of Higher Learning (IHL) or obtained at least a diploma from a local Private Education Institute (PEI) registered with the Council of Private Education (CPE)​​¹ that is either EduTrust Certified by CPE​​² or a Workforce Development Agency (WDA) accredited Continuing Education and Training (CET) centre​​³; or

• Completed NS within last twelve (12) months and completed academic studies with an IHL or obtained at least a diploma from a local PEI registered with the CPE that is either EduTrust Certified by CPE or a WDA accredited CET centre.

  
  

3          Changes to salary cap and disbursement schedule

As of 1 June 2015, the monthly cap will be revised to S$2,000 (from current S$1,400), which means that MDA will provide a grant support of up to 70% of the candidate's monthly salary, or up to SS$2,000 (whichever is the lower amount), for a fixed period of six (6) months.

The grant will be disbursed only upon the successful completion of the candidate’s six (6) months of hire, subject to MDA’s satisfactory acceptance of all the deliverables

Upgrades to Enhanced Apprenticeships

4          Changes to duration of funding

As of 1 June 2015, the duration cap of funding support will be increased to six months from the current maximum duration of 5 months (using 182 calendar days as the basis for calculation) to enhance support for the industry.

Only organisations can apply to send their employees for Local Enhanced Apprenticeships. The grant will be disbursed only upon the successful completion of the candidate's local apprenticeship, subject to MDA's satisfactory acceptance of all the deliverables.

5          Changes to funding quantum for Overseas Enhanced Apprenticeship

For Overseas Enhanced Apprenticeships, the grant has been further enhanced such that current cap of $3,800 would be removed. Funding for airfare and living allowances would vary according to cost of living for the country of apprenticeship. The grant will be disbursed in two tranches:

• First payment milestone upon the applicant's acceptance of the Letter of Offer; and

• Second payment milestone upon completion of the apprenticeship.

6          Removal of Insurance as a cost item

In addition, from 1 June 2015, the purchase of personal insurance will no longer be funded under Overseas Enhanced Apprenticeship. However, fund recipients are strongly encouraged to purchase insurance for their own protection.

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​^​1Please refer to this link for the list of local PEIs registered with CPE: https://www.cpe.gov.sg/for-students/registration-status-of-private-education-institutions-peis-in-singapore.

​^​2Please refer to this link for the list of local PEIs that are EduTrust Certified by CPE: https://www.cpe.gov.sg/for-students/edutrust-certification-status-of-peis.

​^​3Please refer to this link for the list of WDA accredited CET centres: http://www.wda.gov.sg/content/wdawebsite/L101-ForIndividuals/L220A-004CETFullList.html.

​​About Media Development Authority of Singapore (MDA) 
The Media Development Authority of Singapore (www.mda.gov.sg) promotes the growth of globally competitive film, television, radio, publishing, music, games, animation and interactive digital media industries. It also regulates the media sector to safeguard the interests of consumers, and promotes a connected society. MDA is a statutory board under the Ministry of Communications and Information (www.mci.gov.sg).