The Singapore Workforce Skills Qualifications (WSQ) is a national credential system that trains, develops, assesses and certifies skills and competencies for the workforce aimed to:-

  • Promote recognition of skills and competencies to facilitate progression, mastery and mobility;
  • Promote holistic development of the workforce through technical and generic skills and competencies;
  • Support economic development by professionalising skills and competencies to drive industry transformation, productivity and innovation efforts; and
  • Encourage lifelong learning.

SRA is a provider of WSQ Courses which are developed under the WSQ system based on skills and competencies validated by employers, unions and professional bodies. This ensures existing and emerging skills and competencies that are in demand are used to inform training and development under WSQ. The WSQ system also adopts the skills and competencies covered in the Skills Frameworks launched in 2016. The WSQ programmes are funded and quality-assured by SkillsFuture Singapore, which awards the WSQ certifications. Key features of WSQ courses are:-

  • Relevant
    • A competency-based system, designed to develop job role-specific skills and competencies, as well as generic skills and competencies that are required across job roles.
  • Accessible
    • Does not require academic pre-requisites for entry and recognises prior learning, such as work experience and credentials. Available in bite-sized modules leading to the award of a Statement of Attainment, which an individual may acquire leading up to a full WSQ qualification.
  • Progression
    • Makes available skills and qualification pathways which align to the Skills Framework for the respective sectors.
  • Authority
    • Statements of Attainment and qualifications are quality assured and awarded by SkillsFuture Singapore and/or in partnership with established awarding bodies.

The Tripartite Cluster for Retail Industry (TCR) released its recommendations for the introduction of Progressive Wage Model (PWM) for the retail sector on 15 August 2022.  The recommendations outlined the wage and career progression as well as training for retail assistants, cashiers and assistant retail supervisors and which will cover 46,000 full-time and part-time resident retail employees. Implementation took effect on 1 September 2022 which we hope will encourage more jobseekers to join the retail industry.

Key Recommendations of the Retail Progressive Wage Model:

  • Sustainable Wage Increases: Compound Annual Growth Rate of between 8.4% and 8.5% for baseline gross wages from 1 September 2022 to 31 August 2025, to provide better income security and gain ground on the median wage.
  • Better Skills: Minimum training requirements for all Retail PWM job roles to ensure retail workers have the necessary competencies to carry out their work.
  • Better Work Prospects: A clear career progression pathway comprising frontline operational and supervisory positions is mapped out to highlight the career opportunities in the sector and attract and retain talents in the retail industry.

The PWM will be a key initiative for the retail sector to build a future-ready workforce, transforming retailers into employers of choice and retail jobs into fulfilling long-term career options for local jobseekers. All retail employees in the affected PWM job roles must undergo a minimum of one (1) WSQ training module. SRA is pleased to offer 7 such PWM – WSQ training modules, which are available ONLINE and IN-PERSON.

Please see the table below the training modules and course fees applicable (inclusive of 9% GST WEF 1 Jan 2024):

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   COURSE TITLE

(Click on the Course Titles below for course content details)

Full Fees (before SSG subsidy)

Nett Fees Payable (Singaporean/PR)

Nett Fees Payable (Singaporean/PR)

After 50% SSG subsidy (Nett Fees Payable to SRA)

After 50% SSG subsidy & Absentee Payroll*

After 70% SSG subsidy under MCES** for individuals ≥ 40 years old (Nett Fees Payable to SRA)

After 70% SSG subsidy under MCES** for individuals ≥ 40 years old & Absentee Payroll*

1 Promote Customer Centric Culture for Quality Service (RET-CEX-3014-1.1)

$457.80

$247.80

$175.80

$163.80

$91.80

2 Manage Service Operations for Service Excellence (RET-CEX-3016-1.1)

$457.80

$247.80

$175.80

$163.80

$91.80

3 Support Retail Business with Marketing Campaigns (RET-PCM-3005-1.1) $490.50     $265.50      $193.50      $175.50      $103.50
4 Manage Marketing Mix for Retail Growth (RET-BRM-4005-1.1)

$675.80

$365.80

$293.80

$241.80

$169.80

5 Develop Quality Service for Retail Operations (RET-CEX-4016-1.1)

$708.50

$383.50

$311.50

$253.50

$181.50

6 Manage Customer Relationships for Retention and Loyalty (RET-CAR-4002-1.1)

$708.50

$383.50

$311.50

$253.50

$181.50

7 Effective Management of Visual Merchandising Presentation (RET-VDS-4005-1.1)

$817.50

$442.50

$370.50

$292.50

$220.50

* Absentee Payroll will be disbursed by SSG to companies after full completion of the course.

** MCES – Mid-Career Enhanced Subsidy

Note:

  • All applications for training grant are subjected to SSG’s final approval
  • SSG funding is applicable till 2025

These WSQ courses are also eligible for the following grant/funding support:

For self sponsored individuals:

For company sponsored employees:

Contact Michele Ng at M: 9186 7938 | E: michele.ng@sra.org.sg  for more details.

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WSQ CERTIFIED COURSES