AI training is now a crowded market, and the labels — "AI for business", "Gen AI masterclass", "prompt engineering" — don't tell you what you'll actually get. Use this checklist to compare providers on things that predict results.
1. Start from an outcome, not a topic
Write down what people should be able to do afterwards: "draft and verify monthly management commentary", "build a customer-support agent", "write a board-ready AI plan". A provider who cannot tie their course to a concrete outcome is selling a topic.
2. Check how much is hands-on
People learn AI by using it on real work. Ask for the split between lecture and practical time, and what each participant will produce.
3. Look at who teaches
Prefer practitioners who use and build with the tools daily. For certification-track courses, ask whether the trainers hold the certification themselves. See ours on the About page.
4. Match the audience
A course for developers is wrong for managers and vice versa. Good providers separate tracks — for example our technical CCAR-F, non-technical CCAO-F and executive program.
5. Is there an official credential?
Vendor certifications give you an independent, recognised standard. If a provider prepares you for one, check which, what the exam costs and whether the fee is separate. See the four Claude certifications.
6. Is governance part of the curriculum?
Training that skips data protection, accuracy checking and policy leaves your company exposed. Look for responsible-use content — see AI governance and the PDPA.
7. What do you keep afterwards?
Slides alone are thin. Look for labs you can repeat, templates, a practice environment or community access. Our workshop participants get access to a learning portal after class.
8. HRD Corp claimability
Confirm the provider is HRD Corp registered and that the course qualifies for your company; claimability is subject to eligibility and approval. See the claim guide.
9. Ask for proof
Look for real photos, named participants, honest feedback and clear company references — not stock images and vague logos. We publish case studies and participant feedback.
10. Compare total cost, not sticker price
Include SST, the exam fee, class size, what is included and any HRD Corp funding. See what AI training costs in Malaysia.
A simple scoring approach
Score each provider 0–2 on every point, total it, and discuss any zero on points 1, 2 and 6 before signing — those are the ones that most often lead to disappointing results.