Investing in your team's development through team-building activities is a vital part of business success. Eligible Malaysian companies can claim the costs of these programmes through the Human Resources Development Corporation (HRD Corp), formerly known as HRDF, utilizing the levy funds they contribute. 

This article provides an overview regarding HRDF claimable, why it’s important to leverage it, and step-by-step guide on how to successfully claim HRD Corp (under the Skim Bantuan Latihan (SBL) or SBL-KHAS Scheme) for your team-building initiatives.

HRDF Claimable refers to the training and development expenses that Malaysian companies registered with HRD Corp (Human Resource Development Corporation, formerly known as HRDF) can get reimbursed or subsidised from the levy they contribute monthly.

To put it briefly, here’s how it works: 

Levy Contribution: Eligible Malaysian employers (those with a specified number of local employees in certain sectors) are mandated to contribute a monthly Human Resources Development (HRD) levy (typically 1% of the employee's basic salary plus fixed allowances) to the fund.

The Fund: This levy forms a pool of money specifically designated for workforce upskilling and reskilling.

The Claim: The company can then claim the costs of approved training programs, conducted by HRD Corp-registered training providers, back from their own levy balance. Claimable expenses usually include course fees, trainer fees, and sometimes allowances or logistics.

Leveraging HRDF is critical for Malaysian companies because it turns a mandatory contribution (a cost) into a strategic investment (a benefit).

1. Financial Cost Recovery (Maximising Your Fund)

• Prevent Loss: The levy you pay is your company's dedicated training budget. If you don't use it, you lose it (levy balances can expire or be deducted if unutilised). Leveraging the claim ensures you get a return on this mandatory contribution.

• Reduce Training Cost: It allows you to fund essential staff training, upskilling, and professional development programs (including soft skills, technical skills, and team building) at a significantly reduced out-of-pocket cost, which is crucial for budget management.

2. Enhanced Competitiveness and Productivity

• Address Skills Gaps: HRDF-claimable courses are typically high-quality, relevant programs designed to meet current industry demands. By leveraging them, you can strategically address specific skill gaps in your workforce, leading to improved efficiency and higher overall productivity.

• Future-Proofing: It enables your employees to acquire the new knowledge and certifications needed to keep up with technological advancements and evolving market dynamics.

3. Talent Management and Retention

• Boost Morale: Investing in an employee's professional growth shows that the company values them, which significantly boosts morale and job satisfaction.

• Reduce Turnover: Providing continuous learning opportunities is a powerful tool for employee retention, making your company an attractive place for high-calibre talent and reducing the costly process of recruitment.

TPGR Sdn. Bhd. is a registered training provider under HRD Corp Malaysia. As an HRD Corp–registered training provider, we offer comprehensive, tailor-made training programmes designed to support an organisation’s unique goals while fully complying with HRDC claimable requirements. 

Our programmes are crafted to elevate team performance, enhance workplace culture, and deliver measurable impact. Here’s a list of specialized courses available:

Compliance & Safety Training

• E-Invoicing (English & Mandarin)

• First Aid & CPR Training

• Occupational First Aid / CPR-AED Training

• Making Safety & Health Committee Effective

• Hearing Conservation Training
  
  

HR Law & Audit Readiness

• Kursus HR Math & Pemeriksaan Audit JTK (Akta Kerja 1955)

• Prosedur Penamatan Salahlaku dan Siasatan Dalaman

• Kursus Pematuhan Undang-Undang & Persediaan Pemeriksaan Audit (Akta Kerja 1955)

• Isu & Prosedur Penamatan Kerja (Akta Kerja 1955 & Akta Perhubungan Perusahaan 1967)
  
  

Strategic HR & Soft Skills

• Training Needs Analysis

• Soft Skills Development

• Team Building Retreats

Request for full info here: https://www.tpgr.com/team-building) 

1. Ensure Your Eligibility and Compliance

Before you begin the application, you must confirm that both your company and the training program meet HRD Corp's specific criteria.

Employer Eligibility

• Your company must be a registered employer with HRD Corp (Pembangunan Sumber Manusia Berhad, or PSMB).

• You must be up-to-date with your monthly levy contributions.

• The training must be for your Malaysian employees (full-time employees listed in your company payroll).

Program and Provider Eligibility

• The activity must be considered "training" and focus on developing specific workplace skills such as teamwork, communication, leadership, and problem-solving. Purely recreational trips are generally not claimable.

• The program must have clear learning objectives and a structured agenda (including indoor briefing / debriefing sessions).

• The training must be conducted by an HRD Corp-registered Training Provider or a qualified internal trainer (depending on the scheme). Always verify the provider's registration status.

Note on Scheme: Most team-building activities by registered external providers fall under the HRD Corp Claimable Courses (SBL-KHAS) scheme, where the course fee may be debited directly from your levy account. For in-house training with internal trainers, the Skim Bantuan Latihan (SBL) is typically used, which is a reimbursement scheme.

2. The Application Process: Pre-Training Approval

The most critical step is obtaining prior approval from HRD Corp before the team-building activity commences.

Step-by-Step Submission via e-TRiS : 

1. Go to the e-TRiS portal and login to your HRD Corp account.

2. 1. Find the menu for Application  > Grant > Apply Grant.

3. 2. Select Scheme Code:

   • HRD Corp Claimable Courses (SBL-KHAS) for external registered training providers.

   • SBL (Skim Bantuan Latihan) for a non-registered training providers. 

5. 3. Fill in details of the training - course name, date of training, choice of location, training provider’s details and so on.

6. 4. Fill in details of the trainee : You will need to prepare the full list of employees who will attend the training.

7. 5. Fill in your estimated cost: Course fees, meal allowance, trainee allowance, and other allowable costs (check that they are in compliance with the HRD Corp’s ACM -  Allowable Cost Matrix).

9. 6. Attach required documents:

   • Official quotation from your trainer.

   • A Profile as in the CV or Resume of the trainer.

   • Training agenda / course content (details of learning objectives and breakdown details of the sessions).

   • Complete the declaration, attach all required documents, and submit your application at least a day before the training commences.

3. Training Execution and Documentation

Once your grant is approved, you can proceed with the team-building program. Be sure to document the event including every detail needed to support the claim process later on. Here are the documentations to be collected:

• Signed Attendance Sheets: Must be completed and signed by all participants for every training session as proof of attendance. A minimum attendance percentage (e.g., 75%) is required for a trainee to be deemed complete.

• Invoices and Official Receipts: Proof of payment for all claimable expenses (e.g., course fees, venue rental, accommodation, transportation, etc.).

• Photos/Videos: Evidence of the training activity being conducted (optional but highly recommended).

• Evaluation Forms: Feedback forms completed by the trainees.

• Completion Certificate: Issued by the training provider (if applicable).

4. Submitting Your Claim for Reimbursement

After the training is successfully completed and all payments have been made, you can proceed with the final claim submission.

Final Claim Submission via e-TRiS :

Log in to your e-TRiS account.

Navigate to Applications > Claim > Submit Claims with Grants.

1. Select the Approved Grant reference number for your team-building program.

2. Fill in the Actual Costs: Enter the actual, incurred expenses, along with the corresponding receipts and payment vouchers.

3. Upload Supporting Documents :

   • Signed Attendance Sheets.

   • Official Receipts/Invoices (Proof of Payment)

   • Other required documents as specified in your Grant Approval Letter.

4. Review and Submit: Verify all information, ensure costs align with the ACM, and submit the claim within six (6) months of the training completion date.

HRD Corp will review your submission and, upon approval, the approved amount will be reimbursed to your company's registered bank account (for SBL) or settled with the training provider (for SBL-KHAS).

5. Notes on Allowable Claim Items

While the final amount is subject to HRD Corp’s Allowable Cost Matrix (ACM), typical claimable items include:

• Course Fee - Based on the fee charged by the HRD Corp-registered Training Provider.

• Trainee Allowance - Daily allowance per trainee for training outside of the office.

• Meal Allowance - Per trainee for food during the training.

• Accommodation - For residential training (subject to distance from premises, usually >100km).

• Transportation/Airfare - For trainees and trainers to and from the training venue.

• Consumable Materials - For training purposes (e.g., stationery, props, etc.)

In a nutshell, leveraging the HRDF claim is about ensuring you do not let a dedicated, prepaid investment in your human capital go to waste, while simultaneously building a more skilled, engaged, and competitive team.

You can learn more about Skim Bantuan Latihan (SBL)   and get more updated info or references regarding HRDC and team building program claims via the HRDC official website. 

Checkout TPGR team building event space services and specialized HRDF Claimable training list offered here: https://www.tpgr.com/team-building