Informal employee training favoured by 72% of businesses: survey

An average of 5.6 in 10 employees received it.

Informal or non-structured training was the most widely used form of employee development amongst businesses over the past 12 months, according to the Singapore Business Federation’s National Business Survey 2026.

The report showed that 72% of businesses favoured it, with an average of 5.6 in 10 employees receiving such training.

Overall, around seven in 10 businesses, or 71%, invested in training, upskilling, or reskilling their staff over the same period.

Structured training through non-government programmes was provided by 64% of businesses, reaching an average of four in 10 employees.

Meanwhile, 57% of companies provided government-related structured training programmes, with an average of 3.7 in 10 employees receiving training.

Businesses are prioritising specialised job skills as the main area for employee development, cited by 63% of respondents. Leadership and management skills followed at 51%, whilst 47% identified analytical and problem-solving skills as key areas for upgrade.

Large companies showed stronger engagement in employee training than small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), particularly in the use of structured training programmes.

The gap suggests SMEs may face greater cost, manpower, and administrative barriers in accessing structured training.

Over the next 12 months, 72% of businesses cited they plan to continue investing in employee development, with non-structured training remaining the most popular format at 75%.

Amongst businesses planning to provide training, 67% choose to use non-government structured programmes.

Another 62% intend to use government-related structured programmes.