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The NTUC Starter Awards (“Awards”) are bond-free scholarship awards for Singaporean students studying in partner Institutes of Higher Learning (IHLs). The Awards support youth who are interested in leadership development opportunities and in contributing to the Labour Movement.

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As part of the Awards, students will also undergo a one-year leadership development journey, which will provide opportunities to develop their leadership skills, broaden their networks, and gain a deeper understanding of the Labour Movement.

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NTUC Starter members will receive priority consideration when applying for the Awards.

Comparing Notes

About NTUC
Starter Awards

Key Elements​
 

Leadership Skills Development 

Students will build personal confidence and leadership skills through various workshops. They will also gain access to Young NTUC’s career programmes to better prepare them for the workforce.
 

Community Engagement

Students will lead community immersion projects aimed at benefiting vulnerable segments of workers and their families, fostering a sense of care and social responsibility.
 

Personalised Mentorship Programme

Students will participate in a mentorship programme with industry mentors based on their individual career interests.
 

Networking Opportunities

Students will have the chance to connect with peers in the programme and senior management within the Labour Movement, thereby fostering valuable personal networks.
 

Overseas Learning Journey

Students will have the opportunity to travel abroad to gain insights into business and industry trends, as well as the evolving nature of work.  

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Award Quantum for Successful Awardees
 

Institute of Technical Education (ITE)

  • $2,000/ academic year of study
     

Temasek Polytechnic (TP)

  • $3,000/ academic year of study
     

Singapore Institute of Technology (SIT)

  • $4,000/ academic year of study

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Note: For the pilot run in 2024, the NTUC Starter Awards will be opened to selected students in the following partner IHLs: ITE, TP and SIT. Eligibility criteria can be found below.

Leadership Development Programme

Awardees must attend the leadership development programme and achieve at least 75% attendance for the various sessions which includes but is not limited to orientation and teambuilding, community immersion, facilitated training, presentations and an overseas learning journey.​​​

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*Half Day: Time commitment of 6 hours or less.

Note:This schedule above is subjected to changes. NTUC reserves the right to modify the schedule, and will notify Awardees in advance of any changes made.

Study Group
Woman Enjoying a Book
Eligibility Criteria for The NTUC Starter Awards

Applicant must:
 

  • Be a Singapore citizen
     

  • Have demonstrated leadership capabilities through their extracurricular activities
     

  • Have a good academic record
     

  • Be a student at one of the following IHLs:

    • ITE: 3-year Higher Nitec students who are in Year 1 of their programme at point of application

    • TP: Students pursuing a full-time diploma programme who are not in their final year of their programme at point of application

    • SIT: Students pursuing a full-time undergraduate degree programme who are not in their final year at point of application
       

  • Be/Become an NTUC Starter member or NTUC Union member

    • Existing NTUC Starter members will receive priority when applying for the Awards

    • Applicants who are not NTUC Starter members but are assessed to be suitable to receive the Awards will be required to become an NTUC Starter member or an NTUC Union member before accepting the Awards

    • Applicants must remain a member throughout their course of studies. Interested applicants may sign up for NTUC Starter membership here or NTUC Union membership here.

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Key Milestones and Timelines

1

Application period

Applications are open from 2 to 30 September 2024. Students from partner IHLs will need to submit the required documents accordingly in their application and adhere to the terms and conditions.

Shortlisted candidates

Shortlisted candidates will be invited for an interview by end-October 2024.

2

Notification of successful application

All successful applicants will be notified by mid-November 2024, and are required to indicate their acceptance of the Awards before being confirmed as an Awardee.​

3

Documents to prepare for submission

1. Academic transcripts

  • A copy of Transcripts and Certificates from GCE O-Level / GCE N-Level or equivalent onwards, including semester results from applicant’s current IHL
     

2. Write-up of leadership experience (250 words) (e.g. details of positions held and projects helmed)
 

3. Written essay of the below topic - do ensure submission covers both questions (800 words)

  • NTUC’s mission is to help workers to earn a better living and live a better life. As a young leader, what role can you play to support NTUC’s mission? How has your academic or personal journey inspired your passion to help workers?
     

4. Referral letters (optional)

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  • What are the NTUC Starter Awards?
    The NTUC Starter Awards are bond-free scholarship awards for Singaporean students studying in partner IHLs. The Awards supports youth who are interested in leadership development opportunities and in contributing to the Labour Movement. NTUC Starter members will receive priority when applying for the Awards. Those who have successfully received the Awards will undergo a one-year leadership development journey, which will involve leadership skills development, a personalised mentorship programme, an overseas learning journey, and involvement in a ground project relating to the Care sector. Upon completion of the one-year development journey, awardees are expected to continue to actively participate in Young NTUC’s community. Upon graduation from their IHL, awardees who are appointed as Young NTUC leaders will be strongly encouraged to participate in and play an organising role in Young NTUC’s programmes.
  • Can a successful awardee reapply for the NTUC Starter Awards?
    No, a successful awardee of the NTUC Starter Awards can only receive the award once.
  • Is there a list of approved IHLs for the NTUC Starter Awards?
    For the pilot run in 2024, the NTUC Starter Awards are open to selected groups of students in the following partner IHLs: - Institute of Technical Education (ITE): 3-year Higher Nitec students who are in Year 1 of their programme at point of application. - Temasek Polytechnic (TP): Students pursuing a full-time diploma programme who are not in their final year of their programme at point of application. - Singapore Institute of Technology (SIT): Students pursuing a full-time undergraduate degree programme who are not in their final year of their programme at point of application.
  • Why are we limiting the NTUC Starter Awards to three partner IHLs?
    This is a pilot run of the programme and a potential expansion to more IHLs may be considered.
  • How much can I expect to receive from the NTUC Starter Awards?
  • Why are final year students not eligible for the NTUC Starter Awards?
    Applicants must have minimally one academic year left to the completion of study from the point of award in November 2024. This is so that they can complete the mandatory one-year Leadership Programme during the course of their studies.
  • How will I know that I have been successfully shortlisted and offered the scholarship?
    Shortlisted applicants will be invited for a group interview with a panel comprising of management in NTUC. Only shortlisted applicants will be notified for an interview. Successful applicants will be notified and receive an offer by mid-November.
  • What is the penalty if an awardee decides to give up the NTUC Starter Awards mid-way through the course?
    NTUC reserves the right to recover from the awardee all fees and monies which have been paid to the awardee or incurred for the benefit of the awardee.
  • Can recipients of the NTUC Starter Awards accept other scholarship, bursary or financial aid? Do applicants have to inform NTUC of any other scholarship, bursary or financial aid that they are applying for or have received?
    Applicants should inform NTUC of any other scholarship they are applying for or have received. Awardees are not permitted to hold any other scholarships during the tenure of the Award without the approval of NTUC. This is with the exception of the ITE Community Scholarship, which awardees are permitted to concurrently hold together with the NTUC Starter Awards. Awardees are permitted to accept bursaries such as Government and union bursaries and financial aid from other organisations, insofar as the organisation disbursing the money to the awardee is an organisation of good standing, and does not require Awardees to participate in programmes that are at odds with the interests of NTUC, or that conflict with awardees’ ability to fulfil their obligations under the Awards.
  • What is the difference between the NTUC Starter Awards and the NTUC Care Fund (Youth Enable) Award?
    The NTUC Starter Awards are bond-free scholarship awards for Singaporean students studying in partner IHLs. The Awards supports youth who are interested in leadership development opportunities and in contributing to the Labour Movement. There is no gross household income criteria in assessing an applicant’s eligibility. The NTUC Care Fund (Youth Enable) is a grant which aims to provide continual support for youths in IHLs to complete their studies in times of adversity due to sudden and unforeseen circumstances, leading to a loss of income. Gross household income criteria may be used to assess an applicant’s eligibility. Applicants may apply for both the NTUC Starter Awards and the NTUC Care Fund (Youth Enable) Award.
  • What is the difference between the NTUC Starter Awards and the NTUC Scholarship?
    The NTUC Starter Awards are bond-free scholarship awards for Singaporean students studying in partner IHLs. The Awards supports youth who are interested in leadership development opportunities and in contributing to the Labour Movement. Awardees are provided with a fixed allowance per academic year. The NTUC Scholarship is a bonded scholarship with the National Trades Union Congress. Upon graduation, the scholars will serve as an Industrial Relations Officer (IRO) to better understand the Labour Movement and to promote and build good industrial relations to achieve a harmonious industrial relations climate that will bring the maximum benefits to the workers. They can also look forward to mentorship by Labour Members of Parliament (LMP) and developmental programmes to widen their career horizon. During the course of study, besides internship to lay a good foundation in understanding the work of NTUC, scholars will also benefit from living allowance and full coverage of tuition fees and related costs such as hostel and book expenses.
  • What are the NTUC Starter and NTUC Union membership?
    NTUC Starter Membership The NTUC Starter Membership aims to address the work, live and play needs of youths from 18 to up to 25 years old. Members pay $36 for their 12-month membership upfront. You may find out more about the Starter Membership here. NTUC Union Membership The NTUC Union Membership is open to those above the age of 16. NTUC Union Membership fee is $117 per annum ($9 per month from Jan-Nov & $18 in Dec). The NTUC Union Membership offers benefits that focus on five pillars: workplace protection, career development, cost of living, family and health and financial adequacy. Some of the key benefits are summarised below: · Earn *4% FairPrice member benefits in Linkpoints at FairPrice, Unity and participating Cheers stores · Workplace support and up to $500 training credits · Assistance programmes & exclusive insurance coverage · Union member exclusive rewards through the FairPrice Group app You may find out more about NTUC Union Membership here.
  • Is it mandatory to be an NTUC Starter member to qualify for the NTUC Starter Awards?
    Awardees should be holding a valid NTUC Starter or NTUC Union membership during the acceptance of the Award. Awardees are expected to continue to hold a valid NTUC Starter or NTUC Union membership during the entire duration of being an awardee.
  • I do not fall within the membership age range of 18-25 to qualify for Starter membership. Can I still qualify for the NTUC Starter Awards?
    Awardees that are not yet 18 years old are required to sign up to be a Starter member when they turn 18 years old. Successful applicants who are 25 years old and above may be eligible for the Award if they are an NTUC Union member at the time of acceptance.
  • I encountered technical difficulties in the submission of my online application. What should I do?
    Do reach out to NTUC via email (send to starter_awards@ntuc.org.sg), together with a screenshot of the error message. This is necessary to confirm a genuine issue has arisen before the application deadline.
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