CPF Contributions for Apprentices and Interns from Institutes of Higher Learning

Mr Patrick Tay Teck Guan asked the Minister for Manpower whether employers are made to contribute CPF for the hiring of apprentices and interns from (i) ITEs/polytechnics; (ii) autonomous universities; (iii) private education providers/institutions; and (iv) private universities.

In the case of students from ITE, polytechnics or autonomous universities, employers do not need to contribute CPF if the student is employed by them for training that is approved by their institutions.

For students from private education providers or private universities, employers are exempted from making CPF contributions only if the student is (a) enrolled in a full-time programme subsidised by the Ministry of Education (MOE); and (b) employed by them for training that is approved by their institution. The list of such programmes may be found on the MOE website.