HRD Corp Claimable AI Training in Sabah: A 2026 Guide

If your company in Sabah pays the HRD Corp levy every month, here is a question worth sitting with. When was the last time you actually used it. A lot of employers pay that levy, forget about it, and let it pile up. Meanwhile their team is falling behind on AI, the one skill that is changing how every business runs right now. That is money you already paid, sitting there, waiting to be spent on training that would genuinely move your business forward.

I train teams across Sabah on AI, and this comes up in almost every conversation. So let me explain, in plain language, what HRDC-claimable means, who can claim, and why AI training is one of the smartest things you can put that levy toward in 2026.

What does HRDC-claimable actually mean

HRD Corp is the Human Resource Development Corporation, a body under the Malaysian government that runs the national training levy system. Registered employers contribute a percentage of their employees' wages as a levy each month. That money goes into your training fund. When you send your staff for approved training, you can claim back the cost from that fund. In short, you are not getting free money from the government. You are getting back the money you already put in, used for the purpose it was meant for: developing your people.

The most common scheme employers use for this kind of training is SBL-Khas. Under it, the training provider often deals with HRD Corp on the payment side, which means less cash out of your pocket up front and less paperwork chasing afterwards. The exact mechanics can vary, so always confirm the current rules and your eligibility directly with HRD Corp or with a registered provider like us before you commit.

Who qualifies

Here is the simple version. To claim, you generally need to be a registered HRD Corp employer who is paying the levy. If that is you, you most likely have a fund ready to use. If you are not sure whether your company is registered or how much you have, that is the first thing to check, and it is easy to find out.

• You are a company registered with HRD Corp.
• You are paying the monthly levy on your employees' wages.
• The training you choose is HRD Corp approved and run by a registered provider.
• You apply for the grant before the training takes place, not after.

That last point is the one people get wrong, so I will come back to it. Approval first, training second. Do it in that order and the process is smooth.

Why AI training is a smart use of your levy

You could spend your levy on a lot of things. So why AI. Because the return shows up immediately and across the whole team. When your staff know how to use tools like ChatGPT, Gemini, Claude, NotebookLM, and Gamma, the same people get more done in less time. Emails, quotes, reports, customer replies, content, research, summarising documents, all of it gets faster.

Think about it this way. A typical course teaches one skill. AI training teaches a skill that makes every other task faster. You are not adding one tool to one person. You are speeding up your entire operation. And unlike a one-off motivational seminar that everyone forgets by Monday, AI skills get used the very next day. That is rare value for training spend, and it is exactly why so many Sabah businesses are prioritising it this year.

What to look for in a training provider

Not all training is equal, and your levy deserves better than a slideshow. Before you book anything, here is what actually matters.

• HRD Corp registered, so your training is claimable and the provider can guide you through it.
• Hands-on, not just theory. Your team should be using the tools during the session, not watching from a distance.
• Beginner-friendly. The training should meet your staff where they are, including the ones who feel nervous about technology.
• Practical and relevant to real work, with examples your team can apply to their actual daily tasks.
• Local and accessible, whether that is a public workshop or in-house training brought to your office.
• A provider who helps with the claim paperwork instead of leaving you to figure it out alone.

That last one matters more than people expect. Good providers do not just teach. They walk you through the HRD Corp side so the claim does not become a headache. If a provider goes quiet the moment you ask about claiming, that tells you something.

The general steps to claim

Every situation is a little different, but the broad shape of the process looks like this. Treat it as a map, not gospel, and confirm the current steps with HRD Corp or your provider.

1. Pick approved training. Choose an HRD Corp approved course from a registered provider and confirm the dates.
2. Apply for the grant before training. Submit the application through the HRD Corp system and wait for approval. This must happen before the course runs.
3. Attend the training. Run the workshop, in-house or public, and make sure attendance is properly recorded.
4. Keep your documents. Hold on to the invoice, attendance records, and any required forms.
5. Submit the claim. Complete the claim after training with the supporting documents, often with the provider assisting on their side.

It sounds like a lot written out, but in practice a good provider carries most of the weight with you. Your main job is to apply early and keep your paperwork tidy.

You already pay the levy. The only real waste is letting it sit there while your team falls behind on AI., Edison Chua

The Sabah angle

A lot of training options assume you are in KL. We are not. NextGen Training Academy is based right here in Penampang, Sabah, and we run AI training built for Sabah businesses and professionals. We do public workshops around Penampang and Kota Kinabalu, and we also bring in-house training to companies across Sabah, so your whole team can learn together at your own office. Whether you are a small business owner, an HR manager, or a department head planning your team's upskilling, the help is local.

Where to start

If you are HRD Corp registered, the smartest move this year is simple. Find out what is in your fund, and put some of it toward AI skills your team will use immediately. We help with the claim side so you are not navigating HRD Corp alone. If you want to talk it through, message our team on WhatsApp at 011-3204 4931 and we will help you figure out whether your training can be claimed and how to get your people started.