FAQ on SDF EasyNet

General Questions on Easynet

Q1. What is the SDF EasyNet ?
Q2. How do I register as a SDF EasyNet User ?
Q3. Is SDF EasyNet available 24 hours a day ?
Q4. Do I need to pay for the use of SDF EasyNet ?
Q5. Is the website secured ?
Q6. Where to download the technical preparation guidelines for the IE browser ?

General Questions on Eligibility Criteria for SDF Assistance

Q7. Can my company, which is not liable for the Skills Development Levy(SDL), apply for SDF assistance ?
Q8. Can the trainee co-share the cost of training with company ?
Q9. Can my company receive funding assistance if we sponsor sub-contract workers for training?

General Questions on Application Procedures for Approved (SDF EasyNet) and Non Approved (Form 1) Courses

Q10. How does my company know whether the course that we are applying for SDF assistance is approved under the SDF EasyNet ?
Q11. How does my company apply for assistance if the course is not approved under the SDF EasyNet ?
Q12. Do we need to fill up Form 1 if the course is approved under the SDF EasyNet ?
Q13. If we had incorrectly submitted Form 1 for a course approved under SDF EasyNet, what should we do ?
Q14. If my company's EasyNet account is not activated yet and the training course is commencing soon, what should we do ?
Q15. Why must the application form (Form 1 or SEN form) be signed by my company CEO ?
Q16. My company CEO is always outstation. How can I submit the application form (Form 1) when he is not around to sign ?
Q17. How does my company apply for assistance under the Programme on Training of Matured Workers ?
Q18. What constitutes the cost of training under the Form 1 ?
Q19. What happens if there are changes after my company has submitted the application form (Form 1) and/or when the letter of offer has already been sent out ?
Q20. Can my company request for postponement of a non approved course after the application has been approved by the SDF ?
Q21. If my company is a course provider and our registration have been approved, what should we do next ?

General Questions on Claim Procedures for Approved (SDF EasyNet) and Non Approved (Form 1) Courses

Q22. Does my company need to submit claims through SDF EasyNet at the end of the approved course ?
Q23. How should my company claim for the training assistance for non approved course submitted under the Form 1 ?
Q24. Can the claim form (CF1) be faxed to Singapore Workforce Development Agency ?
Q25. How long does it take for my company to receive the disbursement of assistance for non approved courses ?
Q26. For a non approved course, can my company submit claims upon the completion of each module or semester ?
Q27. What should my company do if claims were not submitted within the stipulated period? Will the assistance lapse ?
Q28. Who can I contact if I have enquiries on SDF and SDF EasyNet ?
Q29. What are the registration types under Other Unique Establishments (UENO)?

Answers

Q1. What is the SDF EasyNet ?

The SDF EasyNet (SDF Electronic Application System) is an Internet-based application system that electronically links up all users of the system, namely organisations, training providers and the SDF. It is an on-line public service for enquiry on training, enrolment for courses, and application and claim for SDF support.

Q2. How do I register as a SDF EasyNet User ?

A one-time registration is required to obtain an ID and Password. Click on "Register now!" found in the top banner on the SDF EasyNet homepage. Select Company or Provider registration where applicable and complete the on-line registration form.

Q3. Is SDF EasyNet available 24 hours a day ?

Yes, you can use SDF EasyNet 24 hours a day, 7 days a week as long as you are on the Internet.

Q4. Do I need to pay for the use of SDF EasyNet ?

There will be no fees charged for the use of SDF EasyNet until further notice.

Q5. Is the website secured ?

The system provides a high standard of security to safeguard the confidentiality of your organisation account information and secured transactions over the Internet using the proprietary encryption technology of up to 128-bit.

Q6. Where to download the technical preparation guidelines for the IE browser ?

The technical preparation guidelines can be downloaded at the homepage of the SDF Easynet website. Just click on the hyperlink "Forms and e-Guides" at the bottom left hand corner.

Q7. Can my company, which is not liable for the Skills Development Levy (SDL), apply for SDF assistance ?

Yes. There is no link between the collection of SDL and the disbursement of SDF assistance. While the SDL is a tax on the use of inefficient labour, SDF assistance is given as incentives to employers who invest in the skills upgrading of their workers. All companies registered or incorporated in Singapore are eligible to apply for assistance.

Q8. Can the trainee co-share the cost of training with company ?

No. Training must be fully sponsored by companies to be eligible for SDF assistance. This ensures that companies bear the responsibility of training and that the training is relevant to the workplace.

Q9. Can my company receive funding assistance if we sponsor sub-contract workers for training?

Yes, sub-contract workers are eligible for funding assistance with effect from 1st April 2006. Please click here to download the FAQs on Funding of Sub-Contract Workers for further details.

Q10. How does my company know whether the course that we are applying for SDF assistance is approved under the SDF EasyNet ?

If the course is approved under the SDF EasyNet, it can be found under the Library of Courses. Simply do a search using either provider name or course title.

Q11. How does my company apply for assistance if the course is not approved under the SDF EasyNet ?

You are required to fill up Form 1, attach the course contents and send the completed application to Singapore Workforce Development Agency. One application form is required for each course. Application must be submitted for the full course. The completed form should reach us before the course commencement.

Q12. Do we need to fill up Form 1 if the course is approved under the SDF EasyNet ?

No. You are required to make an on-line enrolment for the course via the SDF EasyNet. Simply log into SDF EasyNet using your ID and password and proceed to make the on-line enrolment by clicking "Make Enrolment".

Q13. If we had incorrectly submitted Form 1 for a course approved under SDF EasyNet, what should we do ?

The Singapore Workforce Development Agency will return Form 1 to your company together with a letter. You must enrol for the training course using the on-line enrolment in SDF EasyNet. If the course has already commenced, you have to submit a copy of the SDF letter to the course provider to substantiate that your enrolment is not a late application.

Q14. If my company's EasyNet account is not activated yet and the training course is commencing soon, what should we do ?

You should request for an enrolment form (Form Sen 2) from the course provider. This form must be submitted to the course provider at least one working day before the course commences. The provider will submit the enrolment details on behalf of the company using the SDF EasyNet.

Q15. Why must the application form (Form 1 or SEN form) be signed by my company CEO ?

The form is a legal document and your company CEO is legally accountable for all information in the form. Besides, top management commitment is important to ensure that training is undertaken cost-effectively and in line with the company's business needs.

Q16. My company CEO is always outstation. How can I submit the application for (Form 1) when he is not around to sign ?

We allow for an alternate signatory to sign the application form. To apply for an alternate signatory, the CEO must complete an Alternate Signatory Authorisation Form authorising a person of senior managerial position in the company to be the alternate signatory. We will distribute the form upon request by your company.

Q17. How does my company apply for assistance under the Programme on Training of Matured Workers ?

To be eligible for enhanced assistance,

a) the training course must be certifiable;

b) trainees must be aged 40 years and above with GCE 'A' level qualifications or below;

c) training must be conducted during the trainees' working hours;

d) training course must be at least 7 hours in duration and

e) trainees must be Singapore Citizens or Permanent Residents.

For approved courses under SDF EasyNet, your company need only to submit one enrolment form on-line. The system will compute the assistance for the enrolment based on the trainees' eligibility.

For non approved courses, your company, which have trainees that qualify under the Programme on Training of Matured Workers, should submit two sets of application forms (Form 1) for the same batch of trainees, one under the Training Assistance Scheme and the other under the Programme on Training of Matured Workers if there are trainees who qualify for the Programme on Training of Matured Workers.

Q18. What constitutes the cost of training under the Form 1 ?

The following are the components of the cost of training:

a) Third Party Training Provider
- Course fees
- Copyrighted training materials

b) In-house by Own Instructors
- Training materials
- Instructors' salary

c) Overseas Training
- Airfare
- Allowances
- Accommodation
- Course fees (to third party training provider)

Q19. What happens if there are changes after my company has submitted the application form (Form 1) and/or when the letter of offer has already been sent out ?

The most important thing to note when there are impending changes to the non approved course is to inform the Singapore Workforce Development Agency in writing before the commencement of the course, whether or not it has been approved. Quote the reference number of the SDF's letter of offer if your company has already received it.

A summary of the actions that should be taken by the company in the event of changes in the application(s) is detailed below:

Nature of
Change(s)
Action of Company (to inform Singapore Workforce Development Agency in writing at least one working day before training commences)

Application Approved by SDF
(reference no. to be quoted)

Application pending Approval by SDF

Change in course title/content and/or change in course provider
To inform SDF in writing. Submit new course title/content.

Change in mode of training (from in-house by own trainer to 3rd party training provider)            To submit fresh application if change leads to an increase in course fees. Otherwise, your company needs to inform SDF in writing. To inform in writing.
Changes will be noted and processed accordingly.

Change in course duration

If duration has been reduced, leading to reduced assistance, your company needs to inform SDF in writing.

If duration has been increased, leading to increased assistance, your company has to submit a fresh application. Your previous application will be withdrawn and new assistance will be committed.

To inform in writing. Changes will be noted and processed accordingly.

Change in course fees

To submit fresh application if change leads to an increase in course fees. Your previous application will be withdrawn and new assistance committed.

If course fees have been reduced, your company has to inform SDF in writing. Assistance will be pro-rated accordingly.

Change in number of trainees

To submit fresh application for additional trainees.

To inform in writing. Changes will be noted and processed accordingly.

Change in training dates
(only if it is outside the stipulated period, i.e. 3 months from the scheduled completion date of training)

To inform in writing.

To inform in writing. Changes will be noted and processed accordingly.

Q20. Can my company request for postponement of a non approved course after the application has been approved by the SDF ?

Yes. Your company has to inform the Singapore Workforce Development Agency, stating the reasons for the postponement. Please note that only one postponement is allowed for any application.

Q21. If my company is a course provider and our registration have been approved, what should we do next ?

The Singapore Workforce Development Agency will contact you to schedule a training date during which you will be trained on how to use the SDF EasyNet system.

Q22. Does my company need to submit claims through SDF EasyNet at the end of the approved course ?

No. Your company has paid the nett course fee to the training provider. Your training Provider will be claiming the supportable portion of the course fee on your behalf.

Q23. How should my company claim for the training assistance for non approved course submitted under Form 1 ?

For non approved course, your company should complete the official claim form (CF1). The claim should only be submitted after the completion of the training course.

Q24. Can the claim form (CF1) be faxed to Singapore Workforce Development Agency ?

No. The claim form is a legal and important document and payment of assistance is based on the information stated in the form. Hence, it is important for the Singapore Workforce Development Agency to verify the original claim certified by the authorised signatories.

Q25. How long does it take for my company to receive the disbursement of assistance for non approved courses ?

We take an average of 3 weeks to process and disburse the assistance to companies.

Q26. For a non approved course, can my company submit claims upon the completion of each module or semester ?

No. The claims should only be submitted upon completion of the full non approved course. For some long drawn courses which are offered in modules/semesters, claims can be submitted upon completion of modules/semesters if the course provider offers them on a modular basis and the applications to the SDF had been done on a modular basis.

Q27. What should my company do if claims were not submitted within the stipulated period? Will the assistance lapse ?

If claims were not submitted within the stipulated period, the assistance will be automatically withdrawn. Your company should inform the Singapore Workforce Development Agency before the due date if you are unable to submit your claims on time.

Q28. Who can I contact if I have enquiries on SDF and SDF EasyNet ?

The contact information is as follows :

Singapore Workforce Development Agency
Incentives and Finance Division
No 1 Marina Boulevard
#16-01 ONE Marina Boulevard
Singapore 018989
Fax : (65) 6512 1333

General Enquiry Hotline
(65) 6883 5885
Email: wda_sdf@wda.gov.sg
Operating Hours: Monday to Friday 8:30 am to 5:30 pm, Saturday, 8:30 am to 1 pm

IT Related Enquiry / PIN Mailer Hotline
(65) 6270 1577
Email: WDA-IT.helpdesk@hp.com
Operating Hours: Monday to Friday 8 am to 5:30 pm, Saturday, 8 am to 1 pm

Q29. What are the Other registration types under Other Unique Establishments (UENO)?

For the full listing of entity types under UENO, please click here.