"HRD Corp claimable" is an umbrella term — it just means a course is eligible for levy funding in some form. SBL-Khas and SBL are the two main schemes under that umbrella, and they differ in one critical way: who pays first.
What "HRD Corp claimable" actually means
A course is HRD Corp claimable when it has been registered and approved by HRD Corp under one of its funding schemes, and your company is an active, eligible levy contributor. Being "claimable" doesn't by itself tell you the payment flow — that's determined by which scheme the course and grant fall under.
SBL-Khas: the provider is paid directly
Under SBL-Khas (Skim Bantuan Latihan-Khas), the training provider is paid directly by HRD Corp from your levy account once the claim is approved. Your company typically doesn't front the full course fee out of pocket — the cash flow burden is lowest under this scheme, which is why it's the most commonly used route for pre-approved claimable courses.
SBL: the employer pays first, then claims reimbursement
Under SBL (Skim Bantuan Latihan), the employer pays the training provider first — out of company funds — and then submits a claim to HRD Corp for reimbursement from the levy account. This gives more flexibility (useful for training providers or formats not set up for direct billing) but requires the company to manage its own cash flow until the reimbursement lands.
Side-by-side comparison
| SBL-Khas | SBL | |
|---|---|---|
| Who pays the provider first | HRD Corp pays the provider directly | The employer pays, then claims reimbursement |
| Cash flow impact on employer | Minimal — no upfront outlay | Higher — company funds the course until reimbursed |
| Best for | Pre-approved claimable public/in-house courses | Training not set up for direct-bill arrangements |
| Application timing | Before training starts, via eTRiS | Before training starts, via eTRiS |
Which scheme should you choose?
In practice, most employers don't "choose" the scheme independently of the course — the training provider's registration and your grant application on eTRiS determine which scheme applies. What you can control is asking your provider upfront: "Is this course registered under SBL-Khas?" — if yes, your cash-flow exposure is lowest.
How Megabyte helps
Every program on our course catalogue is HRD Corp claimable, and our team can confirm the applicable scheme for your specific grant application. For the full submission workflow, see How to Apply for an HRD Corp Grant on eTRiS, or the condensed HRD Corp Claim Guide.
Frequently asked questions
Is SBL-Khas always cheaper for the employer?
Not cheaper in total cost — but it's easier on cash flow, since HRD Corp pays the provider directly rather than the employer paying upfront and waiting for reimbursement.
Can the same course be claimed under either scheme?
It depends on how the course and the specific grant application are registered with HRD Corp. Confirm with your training provider which scheme applies before committing to a training date.
Do both schemes require the grant application before training starts?
Yes. Both SBL-Khas and SBL require the eTRiS grant application to be submitted and approved before the first day of training.