(HR Update) Revised Training Grant Application Requirement Under HRDF

Introduction

𝗗𝗢 𝗬𝗢𝗨 𝗞𝗡𝗢𝗪…..

HRD Corp has released a new update on training grant applications under the Levy-Based Training Scheme and this is something many SME HR, Accounts and Payroll teams should take note early.

In bigger companies, training matters may be handled by a dedicated Learning & Development team.

But in many SMEs, the same person may be handling HR, payroll, HRD levy, training coordination, claims and admin matters all together.

So when HRD Corp changes the grant application process, it is not just a “training department issue”.

It directly impacts how SMEs plan training, approvals and documentation internally.

𝗪𝗵𝗮𝘁 𝗶𝘀 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗸𝗲𝘆 𝗰𝗵𝗮𝗻𝗴𝗲?

Training can only start 14 calendar days after the grant has been approved.

Meaning:

Employers now need to plan and apply much earlier.

Example:

If your training is scheduled on 16 & 17 June 2026, the grant application should ideally be submitted by 1 June 2026 or earlier.

Why?

Because HRD Corp needs time for approval, and after approval, there must still be a mandatory 14-day gap before the training starts.

Another important point:

If the application is submitted before 5.00 PM on a working day, the 24-hour approval window starts on the same day.

If submitted after 5.00 PM or during non-working days, the approval window only starts on the next working day.

Weekends and public holidays are excluded.

𝗕𝘂𝘁 𝗵𝗲𝗿𝗲’𝘀 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗯𝗶𝗴𝗴𝗲𝘀𝘁 𝘁𝗮𝗸𝗲𝗮𝘄𝗮𝘆:

Approved grants can no longer be modified.

So if there are changes after approval such as training dates or information employers may need to cancel the approved grant and submit a fresh application again.

That means HR teams really need to double-check everything before submitting.

𝗞𝗲𝘆 𝘁𝗮𝗸𝗲𝗮𝘄𝗮𝘆 𝗳𝗼𝗿 𝗦𝗠𝗘 𝗛𝗥 / 𝗔𝗰𝗰𝗼𝘂𝗻𝘁𝘀 / 𝗣𝗮𝘆𝗿𝗼𝗹𝗹:

Don’t arrange training last minute anymore

Apply earlier minimum 15 days before training is safer

Confirm training dates before grant submission

Double-check all grant information before submitting

Ensure quotation, trainer details and course details are complete

Keep proper supporting documents for claim and audit purposes

Honestly, compliance itself is usually manageable.

But last-minute planning is what creates stress.

Sometimes the best preparation is actually very simple:

𝗣𝗹𝗮𝗻 𝗲𝗮𝗿𝗹𝘆.
𝗖𝗵𝗲𝗰𝗸 𝗽𝗿𝗼𝗽𝗲𝗿𝗹𝘆.
𝗦𝘂𝗯𝗺𝗶𝘁 𝗮𝗰𝗰𝘂𝗿𝗮𝘁𝗲𝗹𝘆.
𝗞𝗲𝗲𝗽 𝗯𝘂𝗳𝗳𝗲𝗿 𝘁𝗶𝗺𝗲.

Official HRD Corp Release & References:

HRD Corp Official Circulars - https://lnkd.in/gaxmhWfc

Employer Circular No. 2/2026

(Revisions to the Training Grant Application Requirement for Levy-Based Training Scheme)

https://lnkd.in/geN4jMka

PS : Authored by Ms Angela Fong, our Group HR manager, in her personal LinkedIn post.

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