The National Trades Union Congress (NTUC) has unveiled the SME Partners Multiplier Programme, a new initiative designed to support small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) in Singapore with transformation, workforce upskilling, and business growth. Launched on 11 September 2025, the programme will see NTUC collaborating with industry associations, trade bodies, and business clans—collectively known as multipliers—to provide comprehensive support to SMEs.
The multipliers involved include the Singapore Furniture Industries Council, the Singapore Manufacturing Federation, the Singapore Building Material Suppliers’ Association, and the LIN Chamber of Commerce. These organisations will assist SMEs in accessing training and upskilling opportunities for workers, as well as grants and digitalisation support for employers to drive transformation efforts.
SMEs participating in the programme can benefit from the NTUC Company Training Committee (CTC) framework, which offers joint capability-building and transformation initiatives. The NTUC CTC Grant covers up to 70% of qualifying costs for workforce and business transformation projects, providing practical support in areas such as job redesign, digitalisation, and human capital advisory.
For SME workers, the programme promises smoother career transitions, enhanced employability through skills upgrading, and clearer progression pathways.
Additionally, the programme aims to strengthen SME advocacy at the national level by providing ground-level insights to inform NTUC’s policy-shaping efforts.
