As of December 2023, there are approximately 286,300 migrant domestic workers (MDWs) in Singapore, who are crucial for households which require caregiving. They are typically employed to assist with elderly care, childcare, and other domestic responsibilities.
Since the scope and quality demands of caregiving responsibilities have increased in recent years, it is crucial for MDWs to be properly equipped both to provide specialized care for elderly or young children.
Caregivers Training Grant
The Caregivers Training Grant provides $400 worth of credits with annual top ups of $200 in credits. Unused credits can also be carried forward with a cap of $400. These credits can then be used on classes either conducted at home or in a training centre.
In order to be used, there are some requirements:
The care recipient must be a Singapore Citizen or Permanent Resident
The caregiver must be the person in charge of caring for the care recipient
The care recipient must be aged 65 and older, OR have a disability as by a qualified healthcare practitioner
The caregiver must complete the training course and receive a certificate of attendance if there is one
These credits are also meant more towards courses about caring for someone rather than cooking and financial management. The full list of eligible courses are on the agency for integrated care’s website.
Read Also: Grants; Subsidies; And Self-Care: Guide To Being A First-Time Caregiver In Singapore
#1 Cooking Course
Cooking is generally regarded as one of the primary roles that MDWs may have to fulfil for the households that
The Foreign Domestic Worker Association for Social Support and Training (FAST) organizes baking and cooking classes catered towards domestic helpers every Sunday at their clubhouse. The charity organization requires MDWs to be members before being able to join the classes. It will cost $10 and they will need to bring their work permit card.
The classes itself will cost $5 and are held from either 10am to 1pm or 2pm to 5pm. They will need to register via the link from the FAST Facebook page and website or call 65091535. There are limited class registration slots for walk-ins.
#2 First Aid Course
Many MDWs are often employed to either take care of children or the elderly and if an injury occurs to either those they care for or themselves, first aid knowledge will come in handy.
CareHome Nursing provides a 4-hour course on essential wound care skills for MDWs at their venue. It is held every weekday from 9am to 6pm and on Saturdays from 9am to 1pm. They are taught in either English or Mandarin and equip caregivers with essential knowledge, skills and techniques to treat and manage skin wounds.
The course will cost $381.50 and can be claimed under the Caregivers Training Grant.
#3 Eldercare Course
Another reason why MDWs are engaged is to care for the elderly. Although the basics are taught before they start work, certain illnesses may require more specialized care from the MDW. As such, sending them for a course on eldercare may be necessary.
CareHome Nursing also provides a 4-hour eldercare course at their venue. They will be taught on moving, transferring, feeding, body cleaning, vital signs monitoring, medicating and fall prevention techniques for care recipients. The course is held on weekdays from 9am to 6pm and on Saturdays from 9am to 1pm.
It costs $381.50 and can be claimed under the Caregivers Training Grant.
Read Also: Guide To Government Grants For Caregivers Of Elderly Family Members In Singapore
#4 English Course
English may not a MDW’s native language, and this can lead to barriers in communication. This may lead to issues in the future as they may not understand what tasks need to be done. As such, sending them for English lessons will facilitate better understanding and communication.
AAT Training Hub offers a basic English course that will last for 8 hours. It will cover topics such as common words and phrases in Singapore, Singlish and how to use it. They will need to pass a written and oral test before being deemed as competent in the course. It costs $170 before GST.
#5 Financial Management
It is not uncommon to hear of MDWs falling prey to unlicensed money lenders due to poor financial planning. This can cause a ripple effect as employers may suffer from the ‘debt claiming practices. As such, sending them for financial management courses may provide many benefits to both the MDW and their employer.
Aidha has a 6-month course on both budgeting and technical literacy that teaches MDWs how to save, budget and plan along with improve their IT skills on the computer and phone. The course is held every other Sunday from 10am to 1pm or 2pm to 5pm.
Read Also: Guide To Tax Reliefs and Rebates For First-Time Working Mothers
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