How to Claim HRD Corp Funding for Robotics & Automation Training in Malaysia (Step-by-Step)

As Malaysia accelerates its transition towards Industry 4.0, the demand for skilled professionals in robotics and industrial automation has never been greater. For many organisations, however, the perceived cost of upskilling employees remains a significant barrier. What many Malaysian employers do not realise is that the Human Resources Development Corporation (HRD Corp) , formerly known as HRDF , provides a well-structured funding mechanism that can cover the full cost of approved training programmes, including robotics, PLC and autonomous mobile robot (AMR) courses.

This guide provides a clear, step-by-step walkthrough of how your organisation can claim HRD Corp funding for robotics and automation training, ensuring that your workforce gains critical technical competencies without placing an undue financial burden on your company.

What is HRD Corp and Why Does It Matter?

HRD Corp is a statutory body under Malaysia’s Ministry of Human Resources. It operates under the Pembangunan Sumber Manusia Berhad (PSMB) Act 2001 and collects a monthly levy from registered employers. The purpose of this levy is straightforward: to fund the training and development of Malaysia’s workforce, enabling companies to claim back training costs for programmes that align with national economic and industry goals.

For manufacturing and engineering companies that are investing in automation technologies, this represents a significant financial advantage. Rather than absorbing the full cost of technical training, organisations can utilise their existing levy balance to enrol employees in certified courses, including those offered by Aliran Robotics & Training Centre Sdn Bhd (ARTC).

Who is Eligible to Claim?

Before proceeding, confirm that your organisation meets the following eligibility criteria:

• Your company is registered with HRD Corp as an employer.
• You have a sufficient levy balance in your HRD Corp account.
• The training programme is conducted by an HRD Corp Registered Training Provider.
• The training application is submitted before the training commencement date.
• Your company has no outstanding legal issues with HRD Corp.

Aliran Robotics & Training Centre Sdn Bhd (ARTC) is a fully registered HRD Corp training provider (Serial No: 202501044803), with all five core programmes approved for claim under the SBL-Khas scheme.

Understanding the SBL-Khas Scheme

The Skim Bantuan Latihan Khas (SBL-Khas) is the primary grant scheme most Malaysian companies use for external training. Under this scheme, employers do not need to pay training fees upfront to the training provider, as the payment is processed directly through the HRD Corp system upon grant approval. This significantly reduces the financial burden on your HR and finance departments.

Key conditions of SBL-Khas include: the training session must be at least four hours in duration, a minimum of two trainees is required per session, and the training must be conducted within Malaysia.

Step-by-Step: How to Claim HRD Corp Funding

Step 1 , Select an Approved Training Programme

Begin by identifying the appropriate robotics or automation training programme for your employees. ARTC offers five HRD Corp claimable programmes tailored to different skill levels and job functions:

• AMR Basic Training (3 days) , for engineers and technicians working with autonomous mobile robots.
• PLC Basic Training (2 days) , for technicians and engineers requiring programmable logic controller skills.
• Cobot/Robot Basic Training (3 days) , for staff working alongside collaborative robots.
• AMR + PLC Integration Training (5 days) , a comprehensive programme covering both systems.
• Cobot + PLC Integration Training (5 days) , for teams managing integrated PLC and cobot environments.

For full details on each programme, visit our training courses page.

Step 2 , Register on the HRD Corp eTRiS Portal

All HRD Corp claims are processed through the eTRiS (Electronic Training Information System) online portal at etris.hrdcorp.gov.my. Ensure your company’s HR administrator has an active login and that your levy account is in good standing before proceeding.

Step 3 , Submit a Grant Application Before Training Begins

This is a critical requirement that many employers overlook. Under HRD Corp guidelines, the grant application must be submitted and approved before the training programme commences. Late submissions will not be entertained. Allow at least five to ten business days before the training date for processing.

Step 4 , Attend Training and Collect Documentation

Once the grant is approved, employees attend the training as scheduled. ARTC will provide attendance records, an invoice, and certificates of completion. Ensure all trainees sign the attendance sheet on each day of training, as this documentation is required for the claim submission.

Step 5 , Submit the Claim

After training is completed, the employer submits the claim through eTRiS within six months of the training completion date. Supporting documents typically include the invoice or quotation from ARTC, signed attendance records, and trainer profiles.

Frequently Asked Questions

How much can I claim? The claimable amount is based on the registered training fee. ARTC’s public fee is RM1,200–RM1,500 per participant per day, and the HRD Corp registered fee is RM1,440–RM1,800 per participant per day for approved claimants.

Can I send multiple employees? Yes. The SBL-Khas scheme allows multiple trainees from the same company to attend the same programme, provided the grant application covers all participants.

What if my company is not yet registered with HRD Corp? Companies with five to nine Malaysian employees may register voluntarily. Those with ten or more Malaysian employees are mandatory contributors. Registration can be done through the HRD Corp official portal.

Conclusion

Claiming HRD Corp funding for robotics and automation training is a straightforward process when approached systematically. With Malaysia’s manufacturing sector rapidly adopting Industry 4.0 technologies, investing in the technical upskilling of your workforce is not merely a competitive advantage , it is a strategic necessity. ARTC’s programmes are specifically designed to meet this need, and our team is ready to assist your HR department through the application process.

Ready to enrol your team? Contact us today for a formal training quotation and HRD Corp claim assistance.  → Contact Aliran Robotics