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A Guide To NTUC UTAP Funding

by Arthur Yang  December 1, 2023
A Guide to NTUC UTAP Funding

All of Hustle’s courses are now eligible for the NTUC Union Training Assistance Programme (UTAP). 

Courses are not cheap, and as a upskiller, you should aim to utilise all of the available funding resources, including SkillsFuture and UTAP.  

This guide will tell you all you need to know to get the best subsidy for your next course!

Here is a rundown of our ultimate guide to the UTAP programme.

1. What is NTUC’s Union Training Assistance Programme (UTAP)?

2. What is the eligibility criteria for UTAP?

4. Where do I find courses eligible for UTAP?

3. How to use UTAP balance?

5. How to check UTAP claim status?

6. How is it different from SkillsFuture?

7. Best Courses for UTAP Funding

8. Conclusion

Let’s start!

Guide to UTAP Claims

Guide to UTAP Claims

Guide to UTAP Claims

Guide to UTAP Claims

Guide to UTAP Claims

What Is NTUC’s Union Training Assistance Programme (UTAP)?

UTAP Cost Breakdown Example

NTUC’s Union Training Assistance Programme is a training benefit to encourage union members to go for upskilling courses.

The programme provides 50% course fee support after applicable government subsidies capped at $250 per year.

Members aged 40 and above will be eligible for the Enhanced UTAP, increasing the maximum claimable amount per year from $250 to $500. 

What is the eligibility criteria for UTAP?

All NTUC members are eligible to apply for UTAP. However, applicants must meet the following criteria to qualify for UTAP:

  • Maintain paid-up union membership before the course begins, throughout its duration, and at the time of making a claim.
  • Ensure that the course offered by the training provider is supported under UTAP, and the training must commence within the specified supported period.
  • Confirm that the course is not entirely funded through company sponsorship or other forms of financial support.
  • Applicant must not be blacklisted by SSG for training grants.
  • Attain the minimum attendance required for the course, adhering to existing government regulations, and complete all prescribed examination(s) if applicable.
  • Submit the UTAP application within six months after completing the course.

 Where do I find courses eligible for UTAP?

Screenshot of course search

Head over to the NTUC UTAP Course Search page here.

Select the funding type that you would like to apply for (e.g. UTAP).

Take note that only courses taken within the supported period (i.e. between Effective Date & Expiry Date) are eligible for UTAP.

UTAP utilisation is calculated based on the year the course commenced. 

This means if your course commencement date was in the previous year, you would be utilising the previous year’s UTAP balance.

How to use UTAP balance?

Hustle student taking up digital art with procreate course

To apply for a UTAP claim, you should register for the course under a training provider directly and complete the training.

Remember to apply for the UTAP claim no later than 6 months after the course completion.

Log in to your U Portal account here and submit a UTAP claim.

NTUC/e2i may request for proof of payment (e.g. course invoice / receipt) and a proof of completion (e.g. certificate / result slip) for verification purposes. 

Do note that you cannot choose the reimbursement amount. 

The reimbursement through UTAP is set at 50% of the paid out-of-pocket course fees, with a cap of either $250 or $500 per calendar year, depending on the eligibility of the member.

After completing the application successfully, you can expect to receive your reimbursement within 4-6 weeks by GIRO or cheque.

How to check UTAP claim status?

Midjourney – A Basic Guide For Beginners

If you do not receive your claim within 4-6 weeks, you can log in here to check.

Select “E-Services” and log in with Singpass or U Portal account.

Click on ‘eStatement’ and you will be directed to a page where you can view your UTAP balance and UTAP transaction.

How is UTAP different from SkillsFuture?

The key difference is that UTAP is only available for NTUC Union members while SkillsFuture is available to all Singapore Citizens.

If you would like to sign up for NTUC Union membership, head to their sign up page here.

Additionally, the reimbursement limit for UTAP renews annually, so you can continue to take up upskilling courses every year. 

Best Courses for UTAP Funding?

Keep in mind that the reimbursement limit refreshes annually.

If you have not used any UTAP funding this year, make sure to use them before the end of the year.

Make good use of your UTAP benefits before they expire by enrolling in our courses below.

1) Photography

Delve into the world of photography with this comprehensive workshop covering fundamental concepts like composition, lighting techniques, and photo editing using just your smartphone.

Whether you’re an aspiring photographer or simply someone who appreciates visual storytelling, this workshop is designed to provide you with a holistic toolkit.

By the end, you’ll not only be capable of capturing images that tell compelling stories to your audience but also adept at editing them for impactful presentation.

2) Mobile Videography and Video Editing

Immerse yourself in the realm of video creation, an integral part of our daily experiences.

Videos play a pivotal role in captivating, engaging, and delighting audiences, potentially transforming them into valuable customers.

To achieve this, mastering filming and video editing skills is essential.

This workshop is designed to provide learners with a comprehensive understanding of videography techniques, covering the planning and shooting of a concise video.

Participants will then apply technical video editing using mobile applications, incorporating effects and transitions into their creations.

3) TikTok Marketing

Known for its unique appeal in enabling newcomers to create and share potentially viral content, TikTok has become an attractive space for users eager to express their creativity.

Throughout this workshop, participants will delve into various aspects of TikTok, including gaining insights into the diverse world of TikTok pages and learning how to create dedicated pages tailored to specific marketing goals and objectives.

You will also learn about filters, effects, stickers, and text, to seamlessly craft engaging and visually appealing content.

Moreover, the workshop aims to guide participants in developing strategic TikTok videos geared towards encouraging and cultivating an organic following.

Designed with those new to TikTok in mind, this workshop serves as a comprehensive guide, empowering learners to leverage the social media impact of platforms like TikTok and Instagram as emerging marketing channels for their business endeavours.

4) Graphic Design with Midjourney

With Artificial Intelligence (AI) as your steadfast partner, the fusion of efficiency and innovation knows no bounds.

In this course, learners will learn all about the modern applications of Artificial Intelligence on the Graphic Design industry.

From AI generated artworks and graphics to AI-assisted image editing, this course will equip learners with the skillsets to leverage on popular AI tools (e.g. Midjourney, Canva, ChatGPT) to create professional graphic outputs for marketing, content or even business objectives.

By the end of this workshop, learners will be equipped with the skills to produce compelling images and graphics using professional design tools, augmented by the transformative power of Artificial Intelligence.

5) Digital Art with Procreate

Embark on a journey to transform your creative visions into striking digital artworks. Immerse yourself in the captivating realm of digital art, where a new generation of illustrators and artists bring their craft into the digital medium.

Discover the boundless potential of Procreate, a powerful digital tool utilised by professionals worldwide. From lifelike brush strokes to enchanting colour blends, witness the incredible possibilities at your fingertips.

Whether you’re an aspiring artist or simply eager to explore a new dimension of creativity, this course is tailored for individuals of all skill levels.

6) Peranakan Cuisine Cooking Class

Peranakan cooking is the result of blending Chinese ingredients with various distinct spices and cooking techniques used by the Malay and Indonesian communities, the result of which is one of Southeast Asia’s most delicious and mouth-watering recipes.

In this 3-day Peranakan masterclass, you will learn to master a variety of dishes ranging from basic to advanced, such as Nonya Nasi Goreng, Udang Lemak Nengs and Ayam Kapitan Kari.

7) Data and Digital Analytics

Embark on a practical journey with Excel, SQL, and Python, where you’ll translate raw data into essential decision-making models for informed choices in your professional setting.

Acquire expertise in tools such as MS Power BI, MS Spreadsheet/Excel, Orange Data Mining, and MySQL.

Tailored for beginners, this 4-day Data & Digital Analytics Course by Bells Institute of Higher Learning offers an immersive and hands-on learning experience, laying a robust foundation for you to evolve into a skilled data analyst.

Conclusions

If you are a NTUC Union member, you are eligible for UTAP funding.

Make good use of it before they refresh by enrolling in our courses!

You can also contact us via the chatbot or simply drop us a DM on our Instagram page if you’d like.