Enhanced R1 Framework

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Enhanced R1 Framework implementation as of 01 January 2026

Overview

The Government continues to review the Process Sector’s R1 Framework to uplift the sector’s workforce quality and reduce reliance on manpower. The Enhanced R1 framework has been first announced in 2022 and has been implemented on 01 Jan 2026.

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To get the R1 levy rate, all Process Work Permit Holders must meet one of the three pathways from 01 Jan 2026:

Process Work Permit Levy:

For more details on Enhanced R1 Framework, please visit Ministry of Manpower website.

[1} For more details on the PCF certification process, you can contact Singapore Chemical Industry Council Limited (SCIC).

Enhanced R1 Skills Qualifications Criteria (After 01 Jan 2026)

Depending on your workers’ existing skills qualifications attained, please see below for additional skills qualifications needed to meet the Enhanced R1 skills qualifications.

Under the Enhanced R1 Framework, W.E.F. 01 Jan 2026, 

  1. All skillset courses (Level 1 WSQ/CoC, Level 2 CoC) have a validity of 24 months from the course pass date.
  2. For courses completed before 1 January 2026, only those completed on or after 1 April 2024 are recognised as having active validity. This cut-off date was applied during the Enhanced R1 Framework transition period prior to 1 January 2026.
  3. For R2/new WPHs, if the validity of your skills course has expired, worker may take either a brand new Level 1 WSQ or an associated CoC PT&R.
  4. CGM / Composite Assessment for Generic Manufacturing (Process) will be an alternative pathway to attain one Level 1 WSQ skillset and one WSQ Safety
  5. Safety course is once-off and there is no refresher required.
  6. In addition to skills qualifications, workers must meet secondary criteria to qualify for R1 status under the Enhanced R1 framework. These criteria include fixed monthly salary (FMS), period of employment (POE), or Productivity Certification Framework (PCF)
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Criteria for Existing R1-Ready Workers to Retain Their R1-Ready Status Under the Enhanced R1 Framework

All existing R1 WPHs will be required to undergo CoC Proficiency Test and Refreshers (PT&R) for the Level 1 and Level 2 skills courses every 2 years to retain their R1 status.

Courses to take for an existing R1 worker to retain his Enhanced R1-Ready status from 01 Jan 2026: 

  • 2x CoC Level 1 PT&R
  • 1x CoC Level 2 PT&R
  • 1x Safety course*

*Safety course requirement already fulfilled as worker would have taken a relevant safety courses before to achieve his current Enhanced R1-Ready status.

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R2 & New Workers' Criteria To Upgrade To Enhanced R1-Ready Status

All R2s and new WPHs will be subject to the Enhanced R1 Framework criteria to obtain R1 status.

Example 1:

New Worker with NO past training records

Courses to take:

  • 2 x WSQ
  • 1 x CoC Level 2
  • 1 x Safety course

Example 2:

R2 Worker with 1x WSQ Course (eg. Metal Scaffolding) with ACTIVE validity (course pass date within the last 24 months)

Courses to take:

  • 1 x WSQ 
  • 1 x CoC Level 2
  • 1 x Safety course

Example 3:

R2 Worker with 1x WSQ course (eg. Metal Scaffolding) with EXPIRED validity (course pass date more than 24 months ago)

Courses to take (Option A):

  • 2 x WSQ
  • 1 x CoC Level 2
  • 1 x Safety course

OR

Courses to take (Option B):

  • 1 x WSQ
  • 1 x CoC Level 1 PT&R (Metal Scaffolding)
  • 1 x CoC Level 2
  • 1 x Safety course

Example 4:

R2 Worker with

  • 1x WSQ Course (eg. Metal Scaffolding) with EXPIRED validity (course pass date more than 24 months ago),
AND
  • 1x WSQ Course (eg. Rotating Equipment Fitting) with ACTIVE validity (course pass date within the last 24 months)

Courses to take (Option A):

  • 1 x WSQ
  • 1 x CoC Level 2
  • 1 x Safety course

OR

Courses to take (Option B):

  • 1 x CoC Level 1 PT&R (Metal Scaffolding)
  • 1 x CoC Level 2
  • 1 x Safety course
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ASPRI Enhanced R1 Buddy (AI)

ASPRI is excited to launch the Enhanced R1 Buddy 🤖 – your 24/7 self-help chat agent on the Enhanced R1 Framework.

💡 What you can do with it:

  • Ask questions in plain English (or 中文)
  • Get instant answers on R1 training & policy
  • Access support anytime, anywhere

✅ Free to use with a basic ChatGPT account (no payment needed).

⚡ Plus subscribers (optional) may get more refined answers.

❓ Reminder: This is a reference tool only. Please confirm unique cases with ASPRI Secretariat (📧 enhancedr1@aspri.com.sg / ☎️ 6421 3204) or MOM. ASPRI is not liable for misinterpretations.

Access ASPRI ER1 Buddy (AI)
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All information is accurate as of 1 Jan 2026.

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