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Higher-Skilled workers for construction sector

Higher-Skilled workers mean lower levy and extended maximum period of employment.

At a glance

Criteria CoreTrade Multi-Skilling Scheme Direct R1 Pathway MBF
Minimum years of experience 4 4-6 No minimum 6
Skills or certification required Yes Yes Yes No
Minimum fixed monthly salary No minimum No minimum $1,600 $1,600

4 ways to upgrade to "Higher-Skilled"

You pay less levy for “Higher-Skilled” construction workers. Workers from NTS and PRC will also be able to work for up to 26 years, instead of just 14 years for “Basic-Skilled” workers.

There are 4 ways to upgrade your construction workers from “Basic-Skilled” to “Higher-Skilled”:

  • CoreTrade
  • Multi-Skilling Scheme
  • Direct R1 Pathway
  • Market-Based Skills Recognition Framework (MBF)

CoreTradeShow

CoreTrade

Years of experience in construction sector Minimum 4 years
Skills or certification required CoreTrade skills assessment
Minimum fixed monthly salary No minimum
More info BCA website

How to upgrade your worker

  1. Register your worker with BCA for training and skills assessment.
  2. If your worker passes the test, BCA will inform us and the new levy rate will take effect on the 1st of next month.
  3. You will also see your worker’s new skill status and levy rate in WP Online.

Multi-Skilling SchemeShow

Multi-Skilling Scheme

Years of experience in construction sector Minimum 4 years
Skills or certification required

With 4 years' experience:

  • SEC(K) in a second trade

With 6 years' experience:

  • 120 hours of training in approved safety-related courses

OR

  • WSQ Advanced Certificate in Workplace Safety & Health

OR

  • One of the following:
    • WSQ Higher Certificate in Landscape (Horticulture and Turf Maintenance)
    • WSQ Certificate in Landscape Operations by NParks (This programme is no longer available and valid only for certification obtained before 10 Feb 2022.)
  • SEC(K) in Construction-Related (Landscape) (by BCA)
  • Employed by a firm that is registered under NParks’ LCR
Minimum fixed monthly salary No minimum
More info BCA website

How to upgrade your worker

  1. Your worker must meet the requirements above.
  2. Register your worker with BCA as a Multi-Skill worker.
  3. If the registration is successful, BCA will inform us and the new levy rate will take effect on the 1st of next month.
  4. You will also see your worker’s new skill status and levy rate in WP Online.

Direct R1 PathwayShow

Direct R1 Pathway

Years of experience in construction sector No minimum
Certification required

Depending on which country they are from, workers must have one of the following certificates:

Malaysia

  • SPM
  • SEC(K)
  • SEC(K) at higher-skill level
  • End-of-course validation of ALP

North Asian source (NAS)

  • SEC(K)
  • SEC(K) at higher-skill level
  • End-of-course validation of ALP

Non-traditional source (NTS) and People’s Republic of China (PRC)

  • SEC(K) at higher-skill level
Minimum fixed monthly salary $1,600
More info BCA website

  • Malaysian and NAS construction Work Permit holders will qualify for the Direct R1 Pathway if they:
    • Earn a minimum fixed monthly salary of $1,600
    • Have one of the following:
      • SEC(K)
      • SPM (for Malaysians only)
      • End-of-course validation of the Accelerated Learning Programme (ALP)
    • Please refer to BCA’s website for more information.

How to upgrade your worker

  1. Ensure your worker’s salary details in WP Online are updated.
  2. Register your worker with BCA for the SEC(K) test.
  3. If your worker passes the test, BCA will inform us, and the new levy rate will take effect on the 1st of next month.
  4. You will also see your worker’s new skill status and levy rate in WP Online.

The R1 eligibility status of a worker is valid for 2 years. To renew the R1 eligibility or check the expiry date of their R1 eligibility, workers can log into the BCA Construction Workforce Registration System (CWRS) – Direct R1 Renewal portal.

Market-Based Skills Recognition Framework (MBF)Show

Market-Based Skills Recognition Framework (MBF)

Years of experience in construction sector Minimum 6 years
Skills or certification required No requirement
Minimum fixed monthly salary $1,600
More info FAQs on MBF for the construction sector

How to upgrade your worker

  1. Ensure your worker’s salary details in WP Online are updated.
  2. The new levy rate will take effect on the 1st of next month.
  3. You will also see your worker’s new skill status and levy rate in WP Online.
What's next

In-principle approval (IPA) for migrant worker