HRDF for SMEs: SBL-KHAS Enhanced Subsidies

SBL-KHAS (Scheme Bantuan Latihan Khas) is a special HRDF grant that lets Malaysian SMEs get up to 100% subsidised training, making AI capability-building effectively free or very low cost, even when levy balances are low or exhausted.

It directly addresses the SME AI gap: most SMEs recognise AI as critical but lack budget, skills, and internal training capacity. With SBL-KHAS, SMEs can:

• Remove cost as a barrier (up to 100% subsidy on approved training)
• Get faster approvals (7–14 days vs 14–30 days)
• Enjoy simpler, SME-friendly processes
• Benefit from priority if they are in key sectors (tech, manufacturing, professional services, healthcare, financial services)
• Use flexible formats (weekend, virtual, short intensives, customised programs)

Who Qualifies

SMEs that meet either turnover or employee thresholds:

• Manufacturing: < RM50m turnover OR < 200 employees
• Services/others: < RM20m turnover OR < 75 employees

Plus:

• Active HRDF registration
• Up-to-date levy payments
• Clean compliance and claims history

Training must:

• Solve real business problems
• Align with national digital/AI priorities (e.g. MyDIGITAL)
• Be delivered by HRDF-approved providers
• Have clear, measurable outcomes

Why AI Training Fits SBL-KHAS Perfectly

AI is a national priority skill area, so AI programs typically get:

• Fast-track approval
• High approval rates (≈85–90%)
• Maximum subsidy (often 100% for qualifying SMEs)
• Flexibility in delivery (virtual, weekend, customised, small teams)

HRDF also recognises AI’s long-term impact on productivity, competitiveness, and innovation, so well-structured AI proposals are favoured.

8-Step SBL-KHAS Process (Summary)

1. Verify eligibility (≈30 mins)

   • Check SME size, HRDF status, levy payments, basic documents.

2. Select an approved training provider (1–2 days)

   • Confirm HRDF registration, SME focus, SBL-KHAS track record, flexibility, and post-training support.

3. Define training needs & business case (2–3 days)

   • Describe current challenges, target improvements, skill gaps, and expected ROI (time, cost, revenue).

4. Submit application via e-TRiS (1 day)

   • Upload proposal, company size proof, provider quotation, participant list, and business justification.

5. HRDF review & approval (7–14 days)

   • HRDF checks eligibility, business case, value for money, provider credibility, and alignment with national priorities.

6. Conduct training (within 6 months)

   • Track attendance (≥75%), assessments, photos, feedback, and issue certificates.

7. Submit claim (within 30 days post-training)

   • Provide attendance, certificates, invoice, payment proof, training report, assessments, feedback, photos.

8. Receive reimbursement & implement learnings

   • HRDF pays the approved amount; SME applies AI skills in real projects and tracks impact.

Typical Financial Impact

Because SBL-KHAS can cover up to 100% of training fees, SMEs can:

• Join RM10k–RM18k AI programs with RM0 out-of-pocket training cost
• Realise large annual gains (e.g. RM135k+ savings in manufacturing, RM280k+ extra revenue in professional services, RM195k+ in retail) with effectively infinite ROI (no training cost)

Combining SBL-KHAS with Other Grants

SMEs can stack SBL-KHAS with:

• SME Digitization Grant (SDG) – training via SBL-KHAS + 50% subsidy for AI tools (up to RM5,000)
• Productivity Incentive Grant (PIG) – training via SBL-KHAS + grants to scale productivity improvements
• CRADLE/MaGIC – for startups combining skills development with product funding
• Industry-specific grants (MIDA, MOH, MyCC, etc.) – SBL-KHAS for skills, other grants for implementation

Common Answers

• No levy balance needed – SBL-KHAS is grant-based, not limited by levy.
• Startups can apply – if HRDF-registered and within SME thresholds.
• Borderline SMEs – can still be considered; use the more favourable criterion (turnover OR headcount) and provide supporting documents.
• Multiple applications allowed – as long as content differs and claims are clean.

Pertama Partners’ Role

Pertama Partners specialises in helping SMEs use SBL-KHAS for AI adoption by providing:

• Pre-application support (eligibility check, business case, documentation, proposal drafting)
• SME-focused, industry-specific AI training (2–3 days, virtual/weekend, practical and hands-on)
• Full claim management (e-TRiS submission, HRDF liaison, payment tracking)
• 30-day post-training consulting to implement AI in real operations

They report a 94% approval rate for SME SBL-KHAS applications.

Immediate Next Steps for SMEs

1. Eligibility check (≈15 mins) – share turnover/headcount, industry, and challenges.
2. Business consultation (≈30 mins) – clarify AI needs, outcomes, schedule, and ROI.
3. Application prep (2–3 days) – Pertama Partners drafts and submits your SBL-KHAS application.
4. Training delivery (2–3 days) – tailored AI training for your team.
5. Claim & implementation (within 30 days) – claim submission, payment tracking, and AI rollout support.

Contact Pertama Partners:

• Email: partners@pertamagroup.com
• Phone: +60 11-1107 8568
• Website: pertama-partners.vercel.app/funding/malaysia-hrdf-for-smes

Outcome: Malaysian SMEs can rapidly build AI capabilities, at zero or minimal cost, using SBL-KHAS as the primary funding mechanism and Pertama Partners as an end-to-end implementation partner.

Understanding SBL Khas for Malaysian SMEs

SBL Khas (Skim Bantuan Latihan Khas) is one of the most accessible HRDF schemes for small and medium enterprises in Malaysia. Here is what SME owners and HR managers need to know:

What SBL Khas Covers

• External training courses delivered by HRDF-registered providers
• In-house training programmes with approved trainers
• Conferences, seminars, and workshops related to business skills
• AI, digital transformation, and technology upskilling programmes

SBL Khas Claim Process for SMEs

1. Identify training needs — Determine what skills your team requires
2. Select a provider — Choose an HRDF-registered training provider
3. Attend training — Send employees to the programme
4. Submit claim — Apply through the e-Tris portal within the claim window
5. Receive reimbursement — HRDF processes the claim against your levy balance

Why SBL Khas Suits SMEs

SMEs often cannot wait for lengthy pre-approval processes. SBL Khas allows you to act quickly on training opportunities and claim afterwards, making it the preferred scheme for businesses with fewer than 200 employees.

Understanding SBL Khas for Malaysian SMEs

SBL Khas (Skim Bantuan Latihan Khas) is one of the most accessible HRDF schemes for small and medium enterprises in Malaysia. Here is what SME owners and HR managers need to know:

What SBL Khas Covers

• External training courses delivered by HRDF-registered providers
• In-house training programmes with approved trainers
• Conferences, seminars, and workshops related to business skills
• AI, digital transformation, and technology upskilling programmes

SBL Khas Claim Process for SMEs

1. Identify training needs — Determine what skills your team requires
2. Select a provider — Choose an HRDF-registered training provider
3. Attend training — Send employees to the programme
4. Submit claim — Apply through the e-Tris portal within the claim window
5. Receive reimbursement — HRDF processes the claim against your levy balance

Why SBL Khas Suits SMEs

SMEs often cannot wait for lengthy pre-approval processes. SBL Khas allows you to act quickly on training opportunities and claim afterwards, making it the preferred scheme for businesses with fewer than 200 employees.