Data & Insights
From the ground, into policy.
Collect and translate SME ground insights and workforce trends to inform internal planning and external policy advocacy.
SME insightsWorkforce trendsPolicy
An ASME Committee
Building stronger SMEs
through better work design and people systems.
HCAG, the Human Capital Action Group, is an industry-led committee under ASME. We help SME leaders move from headcount hiring to stronger people systems, and from resource staffing to capability-building as a business advantage.
Why human capital matters more than ever
For SMEs, people problems quickly become business problems.
For SMEs, people problems quickly become business problems. Hiring takes longer, good people leave, managers are stretched too thin, and too much depends on the SME owner or a few key staff.
Rising business costs, tighter labour markets, changing workforce expectations, and faster capability shifts mean SMEs need stronger people systems, not just more headcount.
Better hiring, clearer roles, stronger managers, workplace learning, and visible career growth improve productivity, client service, retention, and business resilience.
About HCAG
People systems as a growth engine.
The Human Capital Action Group (HCAG) helps SMEs strengthen their people systems so they can grow with more confidence. Through programmes, partnerships, and industry engagement, we help SMEs access the right support, solutions, and opportunities to strengthen capability that translates into practical business outcomes.
Our focus: Helping SMEs turn people challenges into business strength. Human capital should be an SME's growth engine, not an administrative function.
What we do
- Translate SME ground insights into practical people systems.
- Connect SMEs to capability development that builds long-term leadership and workforce depth.
- Develop scalable, ready-to-use resources and templates SMEs can act on.
Strategic pillars
Five workstreams, one operating model.
From data to capability to resources to visibility, with a separate lane for special projects that don't fit the regular cadence.
Capability Development
Long-term leadership and workforce depth.
Curate and activate targeted training partnerships to build long-term SME leadership and growth of workforce capabilities.
Training partnershipsLeadershipWorkforce
Resources & Tools
Practical, ready-to-use, scalable.
Develop and curate scalable, ready-to-use resources and templates that help SMEs take action on their own terms.
TemplatesSelf-serveAction-ready
Positioning & Visibility
How talent perceives SMEs.
Create targeted initiatives to help SMEs enhance market presence and improve how they are perceived by current and potential talent.
Employer brandTalent attractionMarket presence
Special Projects
Pilots, partnerships, future bets.
Organise strategic pilots and programmes, external collaborations, and future-oriented initiatives with deeper design and cross-stakeholder involvement.
PilotsCross-sectorFuture of work
Our programmes
Bring practical capability to your SME.
Two flagship programmes today. Both deliver capability without the cost of full-time senior hires.
Live
Fractional Leaders Programme
Senior expertise, sized to fit.
Government-funded matching of senior talent to SME problems.
A government-funded initiative designed to match senior, mature professionals with SMEs to solve specific business problems.
The programme aims to bridge talent gaps by allowing professionals to adopt new working models while providing SMEs with high-level expertise without the cost of a full-time senior hire.
Live
SME Peer Circles
Real problems. Honest conversations. Actionable takeaways.
Peer-to-peer spaces for SME leaders to learn from each other.
Trusted peer-to-peer spaces that help business owners and leaders gain useful perspectives, stronger networks, and practical ideas they can apply immediately.
Sessions are organised around priority business issues and current challenges faced by SMEs, ensuring discussions stay relevant, timely, and grounded in real business needs.
SMEs facing similar operational or people challenges come together to share experiences, discuss real issues, and explore practical solutions in a structured setting. Discussions are supported by experienced facilitators and domain experts, including fractional leaders.
Useful schemes for SMEs
Government support, curated for SME owners.
Quick access to the trusted government schemes that most SME owners don't know all six of. Updated for 2026.
CCP
Career Conversion Programme
Supports employers reskilling mid-career new hires or existing employees into growth job roles with good longer-term prospects.
Salary support through Place-and-Train, Attach-and-Train, and Job Redesign Reskilling pathways.
EWTP
Enterprise Workforce Transformation Package
New in 2026
Expanded support for workforce transformation, including Job Redesign+, advisory support, and up to 70% funding under the new Workforce Development Grant.
Enterprises connect to Programme Partners for tailored advisory and customised recommendations.
SFEC
SkillsFuture Enterprise Credit
Redesigned, Dec 2026
A redesigned S$10,000 credit launching from December 2026, easier for SMEs to offset workforce transformation and capability development costs.
Eligible businesses can offset up to 90% of out-of-pocket expenses on supported programmes.
SEC
Senior Employment Credit
Extended to 2027
Wage support for employers who hire and retain senior Singaporean workers, extended through 31 December 2027.
Up to 7% wage offset for Singaporeans aged 60 and above earning up to S$4,000/month.
MCCP
Mid-Career Pathways Programme
A full-time attachment programme for mid-career individuals aged 40 and above to gain industry-relevant skills with a host organisation.
Attachments typically last 4 to 6 months. Conversion to full-time employment may follow if performance is satisfactory.
SCTP
SkillsFuture Career Transition Programme
Supports mid-career individuals acquiring industry-relevant skills to improve employability and pivot to new sectors or job roles.
Train-and-place programme, part-time or full-time, 3 to 12 months, delivered by CET Centres with employment facilitation support.
Resources & tools
Practical, self-service, ready to use.
Templates and playbooks SMEs can pick up and apply. Three resources currently in development.
In development
OJT Blueprint+
Proven structure and template to help SMEs design workplace learning that builds capability and growth potential through real work, not just formal training courses.
In development
Career Building Playbook for SMEs
A practical guide to creating growth pathways in an SME context that improve performance, progression, and leadership development.
In development
Job Kits for Common Roles
Ready-reference role kits that help SMEs define expectations, improve hiring quality, and support better onboarding and development.
Events
Working sessions, briefings, and peer circles.
HCAG events are practical, time-boxed, and focused on what SME owners can apply this quarter.
Upcoming · 25 May 2026
TAFEP Briefing on Navigating Workplace Fairness (SME session)
SME employers, are you prepared for the Workplace Fairness Act?
With the Workplace Fairness Act (WFA) coming into force, employers need to move from intent to action. Join TAFEP for a practical session designed for busy SME employers and HR teams who need clear guidance, fast.
For: SME Employers, HR Practitioners, and Line Managers / Supervisors with hiring responsibilities.
Past events
- 22 Apr 2026
Leveraging the Fractional Workforce Amidst Global Disruptions (AfA Workshop 2)
As business uncertainty intensified, this workshop focused on how SMEs can move forward without taking on unnecessary fixed risk.
Discussions explored how fractional leaders can help businesses solve specific capability gaps, strengthen execution, and support transformation without the need for full-time senior hires. The session helped SME leaders understand when fractional talent makes sense, how to start small with the right problem, and how to use the model as a practical strategy for resilience, growth, and business continuity.
- 17 Mar 2026
Internationalisation Without the Guesswork: Strengthen at Home, Scale Abroad (AfA Workshop 1)
This workshop focused on helping SMEs approach internationalisation more strategically by strengthening internal capability before expanding into new markets.
Through structured peer discussions, business owners explored readiness to scale, capability gaps, market entry decisions, and execution risks. Rather than treating internationalisation as a simple growth move, the session centred on building stronger leadership, clearer decision-making, and the operational discipline needed for sustainable expansion.
- 20 Jan 2026
Workplace Fairness Act (WFA) Engagement with TAFEP
A collaboration with TAFEP to conduct deep-dive engagements and closed-door sessions, guiding SMEs through upcoming legislative changes, specifically how the Act impacts hiring and financial compliance.
Governance & leadership
A working committee of business leaders and HR practitioners.
Diverse industry experience, committed to strengthening SME capability through practical human capital solutions.
Chair
Lee Tuck Wai
Connect with HCAG
Ways to get involved.
Whether you want to learn, partner, or build, there's a lane for you. Pick the one that fits.
- Explore a programme
Find a programme that fits your stage, sector, or specific challenge.
- Join SME Peer Circles
Real problems. Honest conversations. Actionable takeaways.
- Tap capability resources
Templates, tools, and curated solutions you can use today.
- Partner with HCAG
Government, training providers, and corporates with offers for SMEs.
Office
167 Jalan Bukit Merah
Connection One (Tower 4)
#03-13 Singapore 150167
Mon to Fri, 9:00am to 6:00pm