KUALA LUMPUR (Oct 4): The Human Resource Development Corporation (HRD Corp) said companies can now claim training course fees based on hourly rates, replacing the previous half-day or full-day structures.

The new structure will allow employers to benefit from shorter training programmes, HRD Corp said in a statement. This includes professional development courses and flexible micro-credential offerings.

“Beyond that, HRD Corp will also raise the ceiling for course fees to up to RM1,500 per hour or RM10,500 per day, from the previous RM6,000 per day,” it added. 

The agency, which operates under the purview of the Ministry of Human Resources, noted that this adjustment would enable employers to provide "more high-quality and high-value training programmes" to meet industry needs.

These enhancements to the HRD Corp's Allowable Cost Matrix (ACM) were announced by Human Resources Minister Steven Sim Chee Keong at the Asean Skills Forum, organised by the ministry in collaboration with the International Labour Organisation. 

ACM which provides guidelines to registered employers and training providers on claimable costs, maximum claims and claim eligibility for various training programmes under the human resource development levy.

HRD Corp is tasked with collecting levies from key industries and distributing training grants to registered employers through its internal mechanisms known as the Human Resources Development Fund (HRDF).