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Questions & Answers
The questions buyers ask us most
Straight answers on how Carriera's recruitment and HRD Corp claimable training actually work — fees, process, eligibility and how to reach us.
The short answer
Carriera is two companies under one brand: a licensed recruitment agency (JTKSM 615) for permanent hiring, and an HRD Corp Approved Training Provider whose programmes are claimable under SBL-Khas. This FAQ groups the questions employers ask most into Recruitment, Training and General — with WhatsApp the quickest route to a real answer.
Key takeaways
- Two companies, one brand. Recruitment runs under a licensed agency (JTKSM 615); training runs under an HRD Corp Approved Training Provider, claimable via SBL-Khas.
- Training can be levy-funded. Employers with 10+ Malaysian staff pay an HRD levy of 1% of monthly wages; that levy is what funds an SBL-Khas claim, so eligible training need not come out of cash flow.
- We won't quote what we can't honestly fix. No published fee percentage and no fixed time-to-hire — both depend on the role, so we agree terms with you directly.
- Boutique by design. 50+ companies served, every candidate manually screened, and you deal directly with our consultants — not account managers.
- Fastest answer is WhatsApp. Message Steph on +60 17-318 8539 for either a permanent hire or a claimable programme.
§ 01
Recruitment
Hiring with Carriera
Our recruitment arm, Agensi Pekerjaan Carriera Talent Resources Sdn Bhd, places permanent white-collar talent for SMEs and MNCs across Peninsular Malaysia. Here is what employers ask before engaging us.
How does Carriera's recruitment process work?
We run a six-step permanent-placement process. We understand your business, search for best-fit candidates, assess them on qualifications, technical knowledge, experience and soft skills, shortlist the strongest, manage the interview process, then complete the assignment only when an offer is accepted by both client and candidate. See the full breakdown on the recruitment page.
Do I pay Carriera anything upfront to start a search?
We don't publish a recruitment fee percentage online, so we won't quote a number here that could mislead you. Terms are agreed with you directly before any search begins, and they depend on the role and salary band. The honest path is a quick chat — WhatsApp us or email recruitment@carriera.com.my and we'll walk you through how our fees work for your specific hire.
Which sectors and roles does Carriera recruit for?
From management to specialist and technical roles, across a broad set of Malaysian industries. The table below shows the sectors we work in regularly.
| Sector group | Examples |
|---|---|
| Supply chain | Logistics, freight forwarding & warehousing; wholesale & distribution |
| Manufacturing | Medical devices & disposables; electrical & electronics; high-precision; food, plastic & paper packaging |
| Services & finance | Professional services; accounting; corporate & financial services |
| Retail | Retail chains; supermarket chains |
What does JTKSM 615 mean?
It's our private employment agency licence number, issued by JTKSM — Jabatan Tenaga Kerja Semenanjung Malaysia, the Peninsular Malaysia Labour Department under the Ministry of Human Resources. It means our recruitment arm is legally licensed to place candidates with employers in Malaysia. There's a plain-language entry for it in the glossary.
How long does it take to fill a role?
It depends on seniority, how scarce the skill set is, and how clearly the brief is defined — we won't promise a fixed number of days, because honest timelines genuinely vary. Because we screen manually and present quality over volume rather than flooding you with CVs, we focus on the right hire. Share your role on WhatsApp and we'll give you a realistic timeline.
What makes Carriera different from a large agency?
Four things set a boutique apart from a high-volume agency:
- Quality over volume — every candidate is manually screened, no CV flood.
- We know the Malaysian market — salary benchmarks, talent availability and hiring norms.
- Compliance-focused — literate in the Employment Act, LHDN and SST.
- Small team, full attention — you deal directly with our consultants, not account managers.
What industries does Carriera recruit for?
We place permanent white-collar talent across 11+ Malaysian industries — logistics & freight forwarding, medical devices manufacturing, electrical & electronics, high-precision manufacturing, packaging, retail & supermarket, wholesale & distribution, accounting & finance, and professional & corporate services. Each has its own page under our industries hub, so you can see the roles we fill in your sector.
How do I benchmark a salary for a role in Malaysia?
Benchmark against the role's level, the sector and the location — the Klang Valley typically carries a premium. Our Malaysian salary guide sets out five salary bands by seniority and explains what drives pay, so you can set a defensible, market-fair offer. For a specific role, WhatsApp us and we'll give you a current read on the market.
What is the difference between a recruitment agency and a headhunter?
A recruitment agency typically works a broad range of roles on a contingency basis (paid on success), advertising and screening applicants. A headhunter — or executive search firm — proactively approaches specific senior or passive candidates, usually on a retained, confidential basis for harder roles. Carriera does both. We explain the distinction in full in our agency vs headhunter guide.
§ 02
Training
HRD Corp claimable
Our training arm, Carriera Academy Sdn Bhd, is an HRD Corp Approved Training Provider. These are the questions employers ask about claiming their levy.
Are Carriera's training programmes HRD Corp claimable?
Yes. Carriera Academy Sdn Bhd is an HRD Corp Approved Training Provider, and our programmes are claimable under the SBL-Khas scheme. Registered employers who have paid their HRD levy can fund eligible training using that levy instead of paying the course fee upfront from cash flow.
What is SBL-Khas and how does the claim work?
SBL-Khas (Skim Bantuan Latihan Khas) is HRD Corp's claimable-courses scheme. Per HRD Corp, "employers are not required to make an upfront payment for the course fee to the registered training provider, as the course fee will be debited from the employer's account." Employers apply through the e-TRiS portal before training begins, and a Grant Officer evaluates the application (source: supportcentre.hrdcorp.gov.my).
What is the HRD levy and who has to pay it?
The HRD levy is a statutory training levy under the PSMB Act. According to HRD Corp, registration is mandatory for employers with 10 or more Malaysian employees at a levy of 1% of monthly wages, while employers with 5 to 9 Malaysian employees may register optionally at 0.5% (source: hrdcorp.gov.my/registered-employers). That accumulated levy is what funds your SBL-Khas claim.
| Malaysian employees | Registration | Levy rate |
|---|---|---|
| 10 or more | Mandatory | 1% of monthly wages |
| 5 to 9 | Optional | 0.5% of monthly wages |
Rates per HRD Corp, hrdcorp.gov.my/registered-employers. Always confirm current figures and your own eligibility directly with HRD Corp.
“To encourage employers covered under the Pembangunan Sumber Manusia Berhad Act 2001 to retrain and upgrade the skills of their local employees, apprentices and trainees” — the stated objective of the levy, PSMB Act 2001 via hrdcorp.gov.my
How much is my company's HRD Corp levy?
It is 1% of monthly wages plus fixed allowances for mandatory employers (10+ Malaysian employees), or 0.5% for optional employers (5–9 employees). The quickest way to estimate yours is our free HRD Corp Levy Calculator — enter your headcount and monthly wage bill to see an approximate levy and the training budget it funds. Always confirm the exact figure with HRD Corp before you budget.
What is the difference between HRD Corp, the levy, SBL-Khas and "Claimable Courses"?
They're related but not the same. HRD Corp is the agency; the HRD levy is the monthly contribution you pay; SBL-Khas is the scheme that lets you debit an approved course fee from that levy; and "HRD Corp Claimable Courses" is the label for training that qualifies. We untangle all four in HRD Corp vs SBL-Khas vs Claimable Courses.
How do we register for a Carriera training programme?
Browse the current live programmes on the training page and register your interest. Our team confirms your place by email and issues an invoice. If you intend to claim under SBL-Khas, you submit the HRD Corp grant application through e-TRiS before the programme starts, using the documents we provide — quotation, trainer profile and course schedule.
Are programmes delivered online or in person?
Our open programmes are delivered live online via Zoom, typically running 9am to 5pm, so teams across Malaysia can join without travel. For in-house or in-person arrangements, talk to us on WhatsApp and we'll discuss what suits your team and your HRD Corp claim.
What topics do the programmes cover?
Because the live catalogue is updated regularly, we don't freeze it on this page — see the training page for what's currently running. The recurring themes are tax (SST, e-Invoice, LHDN audits, capital statements), the Employment Act, HR policy and payroll, financial analysis and budgeting, Excel and OLAP, and using AI for productivity and marketing.
Is tax, SST or e-Invoice training HRD Corp claimable?
Yes. All of Carriera Academy's themed programmes — Tax, SST & e-Invoice, Employment Act, HR & Payroll, Excel & Data Analysis, AI for Productivity and Financial Analysis & Budgeting — run under our HRD Corp Approved Training Provider status and are claimable under SBL-Khas, provided your company has paid its levy. We help you submit the e-TRiS grant application before the programme starts.
Who delivers the training?
Programmes are led by experienced external trainers and run under Carriera Academy's HRD Corp Approved Training Provider status. We won't overstate individual credentials here — for the specific trainer assigned to a programme you're considering, just ask and we'll share their profile, which is also part of your HRD Corp grant submission.
Not sure which side of Carriera fits your need? This table maps the two routes — and what each one claims back.
| Need | Recruitment route | Training route |
|---|---|---|
| Legal entity | Agensi Pekerjaan Carriera Talent Resources Sdn Bhd | Carriera Academy Sdn Bhd |
| Credential | JTKSM 615 (private employment agency licence) | HRD Corp Approved Training Provider |
| What it delivers | Permanent white-collar hire, manually screened | Live online HRD Corp claimable programmes |
| HRD Corp claimable? | No — recruitment is not a trainable course | Yes — claimable from your levy via SBL-Khas |
| First step | Recruitment page or WhatsApp | Training page then e-TRiS before it starts |
§ 03
General
Getting in touch
"Two practice areas. One mission — your people." A small team, giving full attention.
Where is Carriera based and what are your office hours?
We're at 15-2-1 (Level 1, Room 7), Jalan Setia Prima R U13/R, Setia Alam, 40170 Shah Alam, Selangor, Malaysia. Office hours are Monday to Friday, 8:30am to 5:30pm. We serve clients across Peninsular Malaysia, with online training reaching teams nationwide.
Are recruitment and training the same company?
They're two companies under one brand, Carriera. Recruitment is Agensi Pekerjaan Carriera Talent Resources Sdn Bhd (Co. No. 1058296-H), licensed JTKSM 615. Training is Carriera Academy Sdn Bhd (Co. No. 1112514-D), an HRD Corp Approved Training Provider. Two practice areas, one mission — your people.
How do I get in touch with Steph and the team?
The fastest way is WhatsApp on +60 17-318 8539. For recruitment, email recruitment@carriera.com.my; for training, email trainings@carriera.com.my. You can also use the contact page. We typically reply within office hours, Monday to Friday.
Still unsure which side of Carriera you need? Start a conversation and we'll point you to the right place — contact us or message us directly.
Didn't find your answer?
Whether it's a permanent hire or an HRD Corp claimable programme, the quickest way to a real answer is a message. Steph and the team are happy to help.
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