Biodata often list training certificates, from home-country courses to Singapore programmes. Knowing which ones are required and how to read the rest helps you judge a helper's skills fairly.
The programme MOM requires
MOM requires first-time helpers to attend the Settling-in Programme (SIP) within 7 days of arrival, excluding Sundays and public holidays. The IPA letter tells you if your helper must attend. The SIP helps her adjust to working in Singapore, covering topics such as safety, including window cleaning, her rights and responsibilities, and where to get help. Your agency usually books it for you through an approved provider.
For employers, the matching programme is the Employers' Orientation Programme, required for first-time employers.
Other certificates you may see
- Home-country training centre certificates, for example in housekeeping, cooking, childcare or elderly care. Content and length vary widely between centres.
- Language courses, such as English or Mandarin basics.
- Caregiving or first-aid courses, sometimes taken in Singapore during earlier employment.
- Education certificates: MOM requires at least 8 years of formal education with a recognised certificate for a Work Permit.
How to assess a certificate
- Ask for a copy through the agency and check the name, dates and training centre.
- Ask what she learned in the interview, for example "How would you bathe a newborn?" or "How do you help someone move from bed to chair?"
- Weigh experience alongside training. A helper with a short course and two years of real childcare often knows more than one with a long course and none.
- Check the biodata's skill ratings and the agency's notes on interviews.
Training after she starts
- Show her your household's routines in the first weeks; MOM encourages employers to help a new helper settle in.
- Consider a course that fits your needs, such as eldercare or infant care, and agree in writing who pays and when she attends.
- Keep copies of any certificates she earns with you, and return the originals to her.
On SmartMaid you can filter helpers by skills and experience, then compare profiles side by side in the maid search.
Official source: MOM's Settling-in Programme page.
Questions to ask the agency
- Where did she train, for how long, and what did the course include?
- Has she used these skills in a real job, and can the agency share references?
- Is the certificate in her own name and does it match her passport?
- Did the agency interview her in person, by video or by phone?
Clear, specific answers give you more confidence than the certificate alone.
Common questions
Does an experienced transfer helper need the SIP again?
The SIP is for first-time helpers. A helper who has worked in Singapore before does not attend it again.
Are home-country certificates checked by MOM?
MOM checks the education requirement for the Work Permit. Other training certificates are best checked with the agency and in your interview.
Last reviewed: September 2026. Procedures change, so confirm the current steps on mom.gov.sg or with your licensed employment agency.
