From 1 September 2022, retail employers must meet the Retail Progressive Wage Model (PWM) requirements in order to renew existing work passes or apply for new work passes. One of the requirements is “All resident retail workers covered under the Retail PWM are required to attain at least one (1) WSQ training module based on their job role.”
The Government will co-fund wage increases of eligible resident employees (Singapore Citizens or Permanent Residents) from now till 2026. Employers do not need to apply for the PWCS.
Retail Progressive Wage Model (PWM)
- For Singapore Citizens and Permanent Residents
- Full-time or part-time employees in retail job roles on a contract of service
- Five-level career progression model
- Cover retail job roles such as Retail assistant / Cashier, Senior retail assistant / Senior cashier, Assistant retail supervisor, Retail supervisor, Retail manager
Click on the links below for more details.
| A. PWCS Co-Funding Levels | |
| B. Specific Training Requirements | |
| C. Progressive Wages Set at Each Level |
A. PWCS Co-Funding Levels
As announced at Budget 2023, for the year 2023, the government co-funding rate to support wage increases for employees earning up to $2,500 (PWCS First Tier) is 75%, and employees earning more than $2,500 up to $3,000 (PWCS Second Tier) is 45%.
| Qualifying Year | First Tier [Gross Monthly Wage Celling ≤ $2,500] | Second Tier [Gross Monthly Wage Celling > $2,500 and ≤ $3,000] |
|---|---|---|
| 2022 | 75% | 45% |
| 2023 | 75% | 45% |
| 2024 | 30% | 15% |
| 2025 | 30% | - |
| 2026 | 15% | - |
B. Specific Training Requirements
Retail employees are required to undergo at least 1 Workforce Skills Qualification (WSQ) training course based on their job role to ensure obtaining of necessary competencies to carry out their work. Employers will be given a grace period to comply with the retail PWM training requirements:
- For new hires: six months from the new hire’s date of employment
- For existing employees: till 31 August 2023
Please refer to the following list of approved WSQ training courses endorsed by the Tripartite Cluster for Retail Industry (TCR). Click on the course titles for more details:
PWM Job Role: Retail Assistant / Cashier
- Adapt to Change (16 hrs)
- Contribute to Customer Service Over Various Platforms (Customer Experience Management) (8 hrs)
- Demonstrate the Service Vision (Service Leadership)
- Demonstrate the Service Vision (Service Leadership) (Chinese) 展示服务愿景
- Respond to Service Challenges (Service Challenges)
- Respond to Service Challenges (Service Challenges) (Chinese) (Synchronous e-learning) 应对服务挑战 (网络课程)
- Respond to Service Challenges (Service Challenges) (Chinese) 应对服务挑战
- Respond to Service Challenges (Service Challenges) (Synchronous e-learning)
- Solve Problems and Make Decisions at Operations Level (Problem Identification Level 2) (16 hrs)
- Work in a Diverse Service Environment (People and Relationship Management) (16 hrs)
PWM Job Role: Senior Retail Assistant / Senior Cashier
- Adapt to Change (16 hrs)
- Contribute to Customer Service Over Various Platforms (Customer Experience Management) (8 hrs)
PWM Job Role: Assistant Retail Supervisor
- Coach for Service Performance (Service Coaching)
- Coach for Service Performance (Service Coaching) (Chinese) 服务绩效指导
- Respond to Service Challenges (Service Challenges)
- Respond to Service Challenges (Service Challenges) (Chinese) (Synchronous e-learning) 应对服务挑战 (网络课程)
- Respond to Service Challenges (Service Challenges) (Chinese) 应对服务挑战
- Respond to Service Challenges (Service Challenges) (Synchronous e-learning)
PWM Job Role: Retail Supervisor
- Coach for Service Performance (Service Coaching)
- Coach for Service Performance (Service Coaching) (Chinese) 服务绩效指导
- Develop Service Operations (Service Planning and Implementation)
- Manage a Diverse Service Environment (People and Relationship Management)
- Manage Operations for Service Excellence (Service Planning and Implementation)
- Manage Operations for Service Excellence (Service Planning and Implementation) (Synchronous e-learning)
- Respond to Service Challenges (Service Challenges)
- Respond to Service Challenges (Service Challenges) (Chinese) (Synchronous e-learning) 应对服务挑战 (网络课程)
- Respond to Service Challenges (Service Challenges) (Chinese) 应对服务挑战
- Respond to Service Challenges (Service Challenges) (Synchronous e-learning)
- Role Model the Service Vision (Service Leadership)
- Role Model the Service Vision (Service Leadership) (Synchronous e-learning)
- Solve Problems and Make Decisions at Supervisory level (Problem Identification Level 3) (16 hrs)
PWM Job Role: Retail Manager
- Develop Service Operations (Service Planning and Implementation)
- Lead with Service Vision (Service Leadership)
- Lead with Service Vision (Service Leadership) (Synchronous e-learning)
- Manage Operations for Service Excellence (Service Planning and Implementation)
- Manage Operations for Service Excellence (Service Planning and Implementation) (Synchronous e-learning)
- Optimise Workforce for Service Excellence (People and Relationship Management)
- Solve Problems and Make Decisions at Supervisory level (Problem Identification Level 3) (16 hrs)
C. Progressive Wages Set at Each Level
The following table summarise the recommended Retail PWM baseline gross wages (excluding overtime payment) from 1 September 2022 to 31 August 2025 to eligible employees in the Retail sector.
| Job Level | Baseline Gross Wages for Full-Time Retail Employees from 1 September 2022 | Baseline Gross Wages for Full-Time Retail Employees from 1 September 2023 | Baseline Gross Wages for Full-Time Retail Employees from 1 September 2024 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Retail Manager ⬆ Retail Supervisor | Left to market forces | Left to market forces | Left to market forces |
| ⬆ Assistant Retail Supervisor | ≥ $2,240 | ≥ $2,395 | ≥ $2,635 |
| ⬆ Senior Cashier / Senior Retail Assistant | ≥ $2,035 | ≥ $2,175 | ≥ $2,395 |
| ⬆ Retail Assistant / Cashier | ≥ $1,850 | ≥ $1,975 | ≥ $2,175 |
| Job Level | Baseline Gross Wages for Part-Time Retail Employees from 1 September 2022 | Baseline Gross Wages for Part-Time Retail Employees from 1 September 2023 | Baseline Gross Wages for Part-Time Retail Employees from 1 September 2024 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Retail Manager ⬆ Retail Supervisor | Left to market forces | Left to market forces | Left to market forces |
| ⬆ Assistant Retail Supervisor | ≥ $11.75 | ≥ $12.56 | ≥ $13.82 |
| ⬆ Senior Cashier / Senior Retail Assistant | ≥ $10.67 | ≥ $11.41 | ≥ $12.56 |
| ⬆ Retail Assistant / Cashier | ≥ $9.70 | ≥ $10.36 | ≥ $11.41 |
