A grant for employers who take on experienced mid-career individuals, aged 40 and above, on a full-time training attachment before hiring them.
As a company, you host them and provide a structured development plan, and receive financial support of up to $3,800 per month. You can then convert them to full-time employees if you wish.
The Mid-Career Pathways Programme is for experienced individuals aged 40+ joining your company on a 4 - 6 month attachment, with a view to being hired full-time.
Your trainee must be a Singaporean or PR. If your trainee is a foreigner, they do not qualify for this grant.
Your trainee must be aged 40 or above. This programme is built for mature, experienced talent.
Your trainee joins you on attachment first. You get 4 to 6 months to see how they perform before converting them to a full-time employee.
The programme operates as follows:
The funding you receive is 70% of the allowance you offer the trainee.
For a trainee on the maximum $3,800 monthly allowance, $2,660 of it is co-funded every month. Over a 6-month attachment, that's $15,960 you could be claiming back.
Attachments run for 4 to 6 months. That gives you ample time to see how your trainee performs before committing to a permanent hire.
The Mid-Career Pathways Programme (MCPP) provides funding support of the allowance that you offer the trainee. We advise you on how it works for your specific role and candidate.
Up to 70% of monthly salary for CCP training duration, capped at $5,000 per month
Up to 90% of monthly salary for CCP training duration, capped at $7,500 per month
Up to 90% of monthly salary for CCP training duration, capped at $7,500 per month
Up to 90% of monthly salary for CCP training duration, capped at $7,500 per month for up to 3 months (age limits apply)
Six straightforward qualification criteria.
Registered or incorporated in Singapore.
For new hires, you have to offer a full-time role on permanent terms or on a contract of at least 1 year.
Commits to the training arrangements selected for the new employee.
The grant aims to help mature individuals gain industry-relevant skills and move into a full-time role. Does your candidate qualify?
Here's how much one company can save by hosting a mid-career trainee.
The above are illustrative examples. Actual support depends on the approved application, salary caps and support duration.
Typical timelines to expect when applying for the Mid-Career Pathways Programme grant.
Small teams don't have an HR department to research schemes, decode criteria and sanity-check timelines.
That's the gap we fill: we advise on this grant every week, so you get a clear answer in one conversation instead of a weekend lost to government websites.
Free 30-minute consult, no obligation
Straight answers — including "this grant isn't right for you," when it isn't
Independent advisory: we consult and guide; the application is always yours
Fill in your details and an advisor will get back to you within 1 business day with a free eligibility consult. No obligation.
We're here to answer questions you may have on the Mid-Career Pathways Programme (MCPP).
Is this a government programme? Are you the government?
Yes, the Mid-Career Pathways Programme (MCPP) is a Singapore government initiative administered by the Skills & Workforce Development Agency (SWDA). However, we are an independent, private advisory firm, and we are not a government agency nor do we represent one. We consult and advise businesses on how the programme works and what to expect when applying.
Must the candidate be unemployed to be eligible for this programme?
No, they can be employed, but they must be able to commit full time should they be selected for the attachment.
Can the trainee leave the attachment after the attachment begins?
Yes, if there are strong or good reasons for them to do so. However, they are encouraged to complete the attachment.
What happens when the trainee completes the attachment?
Trainees will cease their training. If their performance is deemed satisfactory during the attachment, the your company is required to hire the trainee upon completion of the programme with a full-time employment of at least 12 months.
Does my company have to provide specific benefits, such as annual leave or medical leave, to trainees?
Your host company is not obliged to offer employee benefits to trainees. However, you may choose to offer non-monetary benefits, such as paid annual leave or medical leave, on a discretionary goodwill basis. However, you may not offer monetary benefits.
Does my company have to pay CPF?
Your host company will not make CPF contributions to the trainee, as there is no employer-employee relationship.
Are there candidates who won't qualify?
Yes, in general, candidates should not be ex-staff, or shareholders of the employer's company or its related entities. They should also not be related to individuals in the employer's company who have the authority to make decisions in relation to the MCPP application. Finally, they should not have been offered an employment contract by the organisation (or had the employment offer withdrawn).
How long does MCPP application take to get approved?
Approval timelines are set by the administering agency, not by us. In general, it takes a few weeks. In your consult we'll give you a realistic picture of the process and documents involved so there are no surprises.
Do you submit the application for me?
No, the application is made by your company. Our role is purely advisory, where we help you understand the criteria, conditions and process so you can apply with confidence.
