CoreTrade Scheme
Discover BCA’s CoreTrade Scheme for skilled construction tradesmen. Explore career progression, eligibility, and registration to boost workforce productivity.
Last updated 6 March 2026
Construction Registration of Tradesmen (CoreTrade) is a registration scheme for both local and foreign skilled and experienced construction personnel in the various key construction trades. Foreign CoreTrade personnel may qualify as a "Higher Skilled" R1 construction worker under the Ministry of Manpower's Foreign Worker Levy Scheme.
This scheme provides Built Environment firms with a structured pathway to develop and recognise their most capable workers, creating a stable foundation for project delivery whilst supporting Singapore's transformation towards a more productive construction sector.
Why CoreTrade Scheme matters for your firm
The CoreTrade Scheme aims to:
Build a core group of competent and experienced workers in key construction trades. This core group will serve to anchor and lead the construction workforce and raise its quality and productivity levels.
Retain high quality and experienced workers by providing a clear construction career progression path and due recognition. Construction workers can move from a basic skilled worker to a registered CoreTrade Tradesman specialising in specific trades, then progress to become a registered CoreTrade Foreman, and eventually a CoreTrade Supervisor. Registration also recognises workers for their competence and experience in their respective trades.
Firms should register their staff for the scheme as it will help to raise quality and productivity levels. Workers should apply for the scheme as it will support them in their career progression.
Career progression path
There are three classes of CoreTrade personnel, each with distinct responsibilities and experience requirements:
Table on the classes of CoreTrade personnel
Table caption
CoreTrade Class | Scope of Work | Years of Local Construction Experience |
|---|---|---|
CoreTrade Tradesman | A worker who is skilled and engaged in a particular trade. | 4 years |
CoreTrade Foreman | A worker who supervises and co-ordinates a group of tradesmen in a particular trade. | 6 years |
CoreTrade Supervisor | A worker who oversees a particular class of construction works. | 8 years |
Who is eligible
Workers who are eligible for registration include locals, as well as longer-staying and experienced foreign workers who have been working in the construction industry in Singapore, who meet the following criteria:
Possess a relevant qualification
Attend a prescribed familiarisation course
Pass the skills assessment
Familiarisation courses and skills assessments are available at:
How to apply
Submit an online application for registration/renewal through the Construction Workforce Registration System (CWRS).
The following documents are required for online registration:
NRIC (front & back) (for Singaporean) (in PDF)
Valid work permit / employment pass (front & back) (for non-Singaporean) (in PDF)
Relevant trade qualifications (in PDF) such as:
Trade Diploma, Skills Evaluation Certificate / Skills Evaluation Certificate (Knowledge)
Valid crane operation license, plumbing or electrician licence
Certificate of Successful Completion (for other construction plant operation)
Other supervisory, technical, trade or academic qualification to support the application
Worker's employment details (for work permit holder) obtained via "Work Permit Online" at MOM website to support worker's years of local construction experience (in PDF)
A non-refundable application fee of $15 (inclusive of GST) will be required for the application and renewal of CoreTrade registration.
CoreTrade applications will be processed within 7 working days upon submission of complete documents.
CoreTrade categories and qualifications
The trade categories available for registration are comprehensive and cover the key construction trades:
Table of CoreTrade Personnel and respective Trade Category
Table caption
CoreTrade Personnel | Trade Category |
|---|---|
Tradesmen & Foremen | Structural Trades: Reinforced Concrete Works, Structural Steel Works |
Architectural Trades: Cladding & Curtain Wall Installation, Doors & Windows Installation, Drywall Installation, Glazing Works, Joinery Works, Suspended Ceiling Installation, Tiling, Stone Laying & Floor Finishing Works, Waterproofing Works | |
Mechanical & Electrical (M&E) Trades: Air-conditioning Ducting Installation, Electrical Works, Fire Protection Works, Gas Pipefitting Works, Lift Installation, Plumbing And Piping Works | |
Construction Plant Operation (for Tradesmen only) | |
Supervisor | Architectural Works, Structural Works, and Mechanical & Electrical (M&E) Works |
Download the complete CoreTrade Recognised Qualifications document (PDF) for detailed information on accepted qualifications for each trade category.
Online registration portal
The Construction Workforce Registration System (CWRS) is an online portal for CoreTrade and multi-skilling registration and the renewal of Direct R1 eligibility. This streamlined system makes it simple for both employers and workers to manage registrations and renewals efficiently.
Deployment requirements
All projects yet to attain Temporary Occupation Period (TOP) will not be required to comply with CoreTrade deployment requirements (for the remaining project period) until further written notice from Commissioner of Building Control (CBC).
Information on the deployment requirements can be found in the following documents:
Related workforce development pathways
The CoreTrade Scheme is one of four pathways available for upgrading "Basic Skilled" R2 Work Permit Holders to "Higher Skilled" R1 workers:
Table of pathways
Pathway | Overview | Minimum Years of Experience | Skills or Certification Required | Minimum Fixed Monthly Salary |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Registration scheme for experienced workers in the various key construction trades, who have passed the stipulated skill assessments by BCA. | 4 years | Yes | No minimum | |
Allows the upgrading of WPHs who have at least 4 to 6 years of construction experience in Singapore and are certified in 2 or more trade skills. | 4 to 6 years | Yes | No minimum | |
Allows the upgrading of workers who pass the SEC(K) at Direct R1 higher skills standards and draw a fixed monthly salary of $1,600 or more. | No minimum | Yes | $1,600 | |
Allows the upgrading of workers who have at least 6 years' construction experience in Singapore and earn a fixed monthly salary of $1,600 or more. | 6 years | No | $1,600 |
Continuing Education and Training (CET) requirements
Personnel registered under the CoreTrade, Multi-Skilling and Direct R1 Eligibility schemes are required to attend Continuing Education and Training (CET) courses under their respective registered trade category in order to renew their registration or their R1 eligibility.
The CET courses are available at BCA Academy and the appointed BCA Approved Training and Testing Centres (ATTCs).
Getting started
Ready to register your workforce for the CoreTrade Scheme? Start by:
Identifying eligible workers in your organisation based on experience and trade qualifications
Enrolling workers in familiarisation courses at BCA Academy or ATTCs
Scheduling skills assessments for eligible candidates
Submitting registration applications through the Construction Workforce Registration System (CWRS)
For more information about CoreTrade qualifications and application procedures, visit the BCA Approved Training and Testing Centres page or contact BCA directly.