As part of our commitment to keeping Malaysian businesses informed on the latest workforce and compliance updates, MYWave, Malaysia’s best HR and payroll consultancy, is sharing important changes announced by HRD Corp regarding the levy-based training schemes.
The revised training grant application requirements will officially take effect on 15 June 2026 and will impact employers applying for HRD Corp training grants.
What Employers Need to Know
The revision was introduced to strengthen governance, improve efficiency, and ensure all training is properly reviewed and approved before training begins. According to HRD Corp, the changes also aim to give employers sufficient time to plan and conduct training effectively.
The revised requirements apply to these schemes:
- HRD Corp Claimable Courses (HCC)
- Skim Bantuan Latihan (SBL)
- Skim Latihan Bersama (SLB)
- Future Workers Training (FWT)
1. New 14-Day Rule Before Training Can Start
One of the biggest changes is the new training commencement requirement.
Effective 15 June 2026, training can only begin fourteen (14) calendar days after the grant has been approved. Training must also commence within three months of the approval date.
This means employers can no longer conduct training immediately after approval. HRD Corp stated that the 14-day period allows time for verification and compliance checks to ensure training follows the approved terms and conditions.
2. No More Grant Modifications or Appeals
Under the revised policy, employers will no longer be allowed to modify approved grants or submit appeals after 15 June 2026.
If any training details need to be changed after approval, employers must:
- Cancel the existing approved grant
- Submit a completely new application
The new application will then be subject to revised approval timelines and training dates.
3. Confirmed Training Dates Are Required
HRD Corp also clarified that tentative training dates are no longer allowed during submission. Employers must provide confirmed training dates that comply with HRD Corp requirements.
In addition, employers are not allowed to proceed with training while waiting for grant approval. Approval must first be obtained, followed by compliance with the 14-day requirement before training starts.
4. Grant Processing Timeline and Queries
HRD Corp confirmed that the Service Level Agreement (SLA) for processing grant applications is 24 hours from submission, excluding weekends and public holidays.
For submissions made before 5.00 pm on working days, the SLA starts on the same day. Submissions after 5.00 pm will only begin processing on the next working day.
Employers should also note that each grant application is limited to only one query. If HRD Corp raises a query, employers must respond within five calendar days. Failure to do so will cause the application to expire.
5. Important Claim Submission Reminder
HRD Corp emphasised that employers must strictly follow the approved training details during claim submission.
Changes to training dates that were not approved at the grant stage will result in claim rejection. Only trainee details such as names, IC numbers, or positions may be amended during claim submission.
Final Thoughts
These revisions will require employers and training providers to plan training schedules much earlier and manage grant submissions more carefully to avoid compliance issues or rejected claims.
Businesses that regularly utilise HRD Corp levy-based training schemes should review their internal training approval processes before the new requirements take effect on 15 June 2026.
At MYWave, Malaysia’s best HR and payroll consultancy, we continuously share the latest HR, payroll, and compliance updates to help Malaysian employers stay informed and operationally prepared. If your business requires support with HR processes, payroll management, or workforce administration, our team is ready to assist.
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