Freelance Trainer Fees

The average fee for a freelance trainer is between RM 1,000 to RM 1,500 per day. Some get more, some get a little less.

If one is employed as a trainer in government offices, they can expect to receive a moderate level of payment. To provide an example, individuals with a degree may qualify for RM200 per hour, meaning that if they work for a full day (consisting of six hours, not including their break time), they would receive a total payment of RM 1,200.

Referral link: https://www.kpkt.gov.my/kpkt/resources/user_1/MENGENAI%20KPKT/GARIS%20PANDUAN/2021/PEKELILING_KEWANGAN_BIL_2_TAHUN_2015.pdf

A facilitator or a trainer’s assistant (some may call them by different names), managing participants and programmes (not teaching modules), is paid between RM150 to RM250 per day. Meals and drinks for trainers and facilitators throughout the training session are covered.

If it involves outstation travel, either a vehicle is provided, an outstation fee is given, or a ticket is purchased and claimed later. This is based on the terms and conditions agreed before the programme.

The same goes for the accommodation during the outstation period. It is usually provided (the value should not be deducted from the payment) or it is the same as the above, claimed later. But if you want to take your family with you during that outstation period, that is on you. You can ask for a room upgrade, but the price difference must be paid by you. Discuss this before the programme. Personally, we do not encourage this.

How much does a training service provider get for one job?

For jobs that are not HRD Corp claimable, the price has no fixed maximum amount, as long as the client agrees and sees the value given.

If the programme is a HRD Corp Claimable Course, the maximum training fee that can be charged is RM 6,000 per day including SST. So the average fee (not including situations where the client asks for a discount) is between RM 3,500 to RM 5,000 per day (minimum 7 hours not including breaks).

If the duration is less than 7 hours but more than 4 hours, the maximum claim rate is halved (counted as half day). A session conducted less than 4 hours cannot be considered as a HRD Corp Claimable Course.

To operate the HRD Corp Claimable Course programme, the trainer must have a HRD Corp TTT certificate (class attendance or exemption letter). The ratio of trainers to programme participants is 1:35 for soft skills topics.

This training programme must first be registered in HRD Corp’s eTris system. Only registered training providers have access to this system. The fee to register as a Registered Training Provider is RM 1,000 per year. HRD Corp imposes a 4% service charge on each payment claim made to training providers.

Let’s look at an example of a breakdown of a HRD Corp claimable programme for 2 full days in Bukit Tinggi.

Number of participants = 50

Total certified trainer = 2

Number of external facilitators = 2

Training coordinator / Training provider = 2

Total income: RM 5,000 x 2 days x 2 groups (according to trainer ratio for claimable conditions) = RM 20,000.

After deducting 4% charge = RM 19,200.

Costs involved (excluding meals, drinks, venue rental and accommodation):

Training materials: RM 30 per participant = RM 1,500

Trainer fees: RM 1,000 x 2 days x 2 people = RM 4,000

Facilitator fees: RM 200 x 2 days x 2 people = RM 800

Traveling (toll + fuel): RM 500.

Balance for Training Provider: RM 12,400 - This is not a net profit.

Training providers will have overheads (salary, office rent, license, marketing, etc.) and on average for micro and small size training providers, overheads will be around RM 20,000 to RM 30,000 per month.

So these prices should be acceptable for the training business.

If training providers get an average of 3 jobs like this every month, they can take home between RM 10,000 to RM 15,000, enough for rolling while waiting for payment from HRD Corp. The trainer gets RM 6,000 and has time to create content or write a book. Facilitators get around RM 2,400 and can accommodate other gig economy efforts.

That’s good right? So why pay less for certified trainers and external facilitators? As long as you are not ‘greedy’, it seems that this range can still be counted as a win-win.

If you don't agree, you can choose another business model. Trainers can open their own training provider and pay other trainers the way you want to be paid when you started as a freelance trainer some time ago. Do not be a hypocrite.

In conclusion, all these balances are subject to the agreement of both parties. Willing buyer, willing seller. The important thing is to have knowledge so people will not take advantage of us.

If you have yet to figure out how much you can charge for your training services and what expenses you need to include in your calculation, we can assist you on how to calculate them in our Train-The-Trainer: NEXT STEP programme, among other topics.?

For further information on our Train-The-Trainer: NEXT STEP, you can refer them via our website at https://www.accessideas.com.my/train-the-trainer-next-step/

If you wish to know the dates, venues and registration for all the programmes conducted by Access Ideas Malaysia, you can get in touch with us or head on over to https://www.accessideas.com.my/aim-training-calendar/