The scheme you are applying under
Most employer training in Malaysia is claimed under HRD Corp Claimable Courses, the scheme also known as SBL-KHAS. Almost everything below is that scheme's rules, and the practical implication is that a course has to be registered by the training provider under it. A course that was never registered cannot be claimed no matter how relevant it is to your team.
This is the first question to ask a provider, and the answer should be immediate. If it is not, that is itself the answer.
Condition 1: The course structure
- Minimum total training duration of four hours, excluding lunch. A half-day session that counts the lunch break to reach four hours does not qualify.
- The programme must be registered under the scheme by the provider.
Condition 2: The trainer must be TTT certified
A minimum of one trainer with a TTT or TTT Exemption certificate is required. The part that catches people out: if more than one trainer is registered for the programme, every one of them must be certified. Adding a well-regarded guest speaker to a two-trainer session can disqualify the whole course.
There is one exemption. Foreign based trainers may deliver training without the TTT certificate if they are coming to Malaysia solely to conduct that training and are collaborating with a local training provider.
Condition 3: The format is more flexible than people assume
SBL-KHAS covers 13 training types. Classroom is only part of it, and the participant limits differ by type.
- In-house training: 2 to 50 participants, at your premises, a hotel or an external venue.
- Public training: 1 to 9 participants.
- Online learning, e-learning, blended or hybrid, and remote online learning are all covered.
- Job coaching: minimum 5 participants, no maximum.
- Certification and mandatory industrial training: no participant or fee limit.
- Coaching and mentoring, mobile learning and development programmes: no participant limits.
Teams that assumed they needed to fill a classroom often find a public course for three people, or remote delivery, fits both the rules and the calendar better.
What you can claim beyond the fee
- Course fees
- Meal allowance
- Trainee allowance
- Consumable training materials
- Airfare ticket or transportation, not both
- Internet data, capped at RM100 per group, for remote online learning only
Everything has to comply with the HRD Corp Allowable Cost Matrix. One more thing worth knowing before you sign: a registered provider may request an upfront payment of up to 30% of the total approved course fee.
The disqualifier that has nothing to do with the course
Employers with outstanding levy and interest are not eligible to apply for financial assistance.
This one catches companies that did everything else right. The levy is due on or before the 15th of the following month. Falling behind does not simply create a debt with interest attached. It closes the door to the training fund the levy was paying into, until the arrears are cleared.
If your finance team is unsure of the position, check that before you plan a course rather than after. Details are in how the levy is calculated and forfeited.
Does digital marketing training qualify?
Yes. Digital marketing is a recognised skills area and the conditions are the same as for any subject: registered programme, four hours excluding lunch, TTT-certified trainers, and approval through e-TRiS before it starts.
Disoft is a registered provider and has delivered over 300 hands-on team training sessions in Malaysia. Programmes cover the three metrics that decide whether marketing is working, the full A.R.M. Growth System, and optional one-on-one coaching, and are HRD Corp claimable, up to 100% of the fee*. See the Marketing Training curriculum or compare Packages.
For the full process, read the HRDC claimable training guide, and check why claims get rejected before you submit.