Basic-Skilled workers for construction sector (2023)

Migrant workers in the construction sector need to attain Basic-Skilled status to work in Singapore.

Migrant workers can qualify as Basic-Skilled construction workers through the Skills Evaluation Certificate (SEC) or Accelerated Learning Programme (ALP). These are initiatives by the Building and Construction Authority (BCA) to raise skills, productivity and safety in the construction sector.

How do workers attain Basic-Skilled status

Depending on which country/region they are from, workers require the following certificates to attain Basic-Skilled status:

• From 7 Feb 2022, BCA and MOM will recognise the end-of-course validation of the Accelerated Learning Programme (ALP) for Malaysian and NAS Construction workers. Employers can submit their application to BCA’s Approved Training and Testing Centres from 7 Feb 2022. Please refer to BCA’s website for more information. For enquiries, please contact BCA.

Getting the certificate

With prior approval:

• When your prior approval (PA) is approved, use the original PA and the attached Form T1 to register the NTS or PRC workers for the SEC(K) test. You should do this as soon as possible at the selected overseas BCA test centres.
• Make sure the PA is valid for at least 2 months from the closing dates of the tests.

Without prior approval:

• Obtain a Request for Approval (RA) from BCA.
• For details on the test fees and registration, call the BCA Academy at 6248 9868or refer to BCA's website.

Note: Upon the workers' arrival in Singapore, you will need to do the following:

1. Make an appointment with BCA to verify their identities and endorse their in-principle letters (IPAs). You should do this within 4 months after the SEC(K) test is taken.
2. Upload the endorsed IPAs on WP Online.

For any queries, please contact BCA.