HRDCorp Training Grants: How to Fund AI & Cybersecurity Upskilling for Your Team

One of the most common questions I get from HR and L&D leaders in Malaysia isn't "should we train our team on AI and cybersecurity" — most already agree they should. It's "how do we fund it without blowing the training budget." For HRD Corp-registered employers, the answer is often sitting in a levy fund they've already paid into and aren't fully using.

What Is the HRD Corp Levy, and Who Pays It?

Under the Pembangunan Sumber Manusia Berhad (PSMB) Act, most Malaysian employers with a minimum number of employees are required to register with HRD Corp and contribute a monthly levy — typically 1% of monthly wages for mandatory categories, with an optional 0.5% tier for smaller employers. That levy accumulates into a fund the employer can claim back against approved training.

What Counts as Claimable Training

HRD Corp claimable training must generally be delivered by an HRD Corp Accredited Trainer and, in most cases, registered under an approved training scheme or course code. This covers a wide range of programs relevant to modern digital and compliance upskilling, including:

• Artificial Intelligence (AI) literacy and generative AI workplace training
• Cybersecurity awareness and technical upskilling
• ISO 27001 / ISO 42001 awareness and internal auditor training
• Train-the-Trainer (TTT) programs to build internal training capability
• Digital marketing, IT service management, and project management training

How the Claim Process Generally Works

1. Confirm trainer accreditation — verify the trainer or training provider holds current HRD Corp Accredited Trainer status for the relevant scheme.
2. Register the training programme — depending on the scheme used, this may require course registration or approval through the HRD Corp portal before the session runs.
3. Deliver and document the training — attendance records, training content, and assessment where applicable need to be properly documented.
4. Submit the claim — claims are typically submitted through the HRD Corp e-TRiS system with supporting documentation.

Requirements and schemes are periodically updated by HRD Corp, so it's worth confirming current procedures directly with HRD Corp or your training provider before scheduling a programme.

Why This Matters for AI and Compliance Upskilling Specifically

AI and cybersecurity skills gaps move fast — a workforce trained two years ago on generic "digital literacy" is often already behind on generative AI tools, AI governance expectations under ISO/IEC 42001, and evolving cybersecurity threats. HRD Corp funding removes much of the budget friction that otherwise delays this kind of upskilling, making it realistic to train teams annually rather than once every few years.

"HRDCorp-accredited Train-the-Trainer programs (NCS-004:2017) that build internal training capability inside client organizations."