How to Convince Your Boss to Invest in ESG Training (And Get It Funded!)
Every year, businesses hire external ESG consultants to compile sustainability reports, interpret regulations, and ensure compliance. It’s a practical solution—when you don’t have the in-house expertise, you bring in professionals to handle it.
But what happens next year? And the year after that? ESG standards change, new compliance requirements emerge, and the company finds itself paying consultants again and again to figure it all out. There’s no skill-building, no internal knowledge transfer—just an ongoing cycle of dependency.
This might be justifiable for companies facing highly specialised ESG challenges. But for many, the core requirements—understanding ESG frameworks, conducting materiality assessments, and writing sustainability reports—are all trainable skills. Instead of paying every year for external help, companies could train employees once and build ESG capabilities internally. If your company is serious about sustainability, it can’t afford to rely on external consultants forever.
ESG is a long-term business strategy. And without the right internal knowledge, the company will always be playing catch-up. But getting your boss to approve ESG training? That’s another challenge. Management might not see the urgency, especially if compliance deadlines aren’t breathing down their necks yet.
Introducing Elite Asia’s HRD Corp-Funded ESG Training
Elite Asia’s ESG Training Program is designed to take the stress and guesswork out of ESG reporting—and if your company is based in Malaysia, you can claim the full cost through HRD Corp funding.
That means your company can train employees in ESG compliance, reporting, and strategy—without spending a single cent. With courses covering GRI, SASB, IFRS S2 compliance, and ESG reporting fundamentals, businesses can train their teams at no cost while reducing long-term consultancy expenses.
Also Read:
Elite Asia Launches HRD Corp-Funded ESG Training to Equip Businesses for Sustainability Leadership
Reasons to Get An ESG Training That Your Leaders Want to Know
Now, the problem isn’t the budget—it’s getting leadership to see why training employees in ESG is more valuable than outsourcing it indefinitely. Here’s how to make your case.
Cost Savings on External Consultants
Training internal employees reduces reliance on expensive consultants for basic ESG reporting and compliance work. This alone can save tens of thousands over a few years.
Building In House Knowledge
ESG training is like laying a strong foundation. It gives your team the tools to manage sustainability in-house, ensuring compliance, efficiency, and long-term cost savings.
Stronger ESG Reports
Investors and stakeholders want clear, data-backed sustainability reports. Employees trained in IFRS S1 & S2, materiality assessments, and reporting frameworks can produce stronger reports in-house, improving the company’s credibility.
Better Risk Management
ESG is as much compliance as it is about sustainability. Understanding Malaysia’s ESG regulations reduces the risk of fines, penalties, or reputational damage from non-compliance.
Competitive Advantage in Bidding & Partnerships
Many large corporations and investors prioritise suppliers with ESG credentials. Companies that train employees in ESG can meet sustainability requirements without struggling every year to understand them.
This isn’t a theoretical benefit—it’s a business case for upskilling employees in a way that directly impacts the bottom line.
Is Getting Training on ESG Reporting and Compliance A Good Investment?
Malaysia is moving toward stricter ESG regulations, with the NSRF transitioning to IFRS S1 & S2 compliance standards. Companies that don’t keep up will find themselves rushed into compliance, struggling to understand requirements, and scrambling for external help—often at a premium price.
Getting a HRD Corp’s fully funded training is an opportunity to get ahead before ESG reporting becomes mandatory for more businesses. Instead of waiting until regulators enforce new rules, companies can train employees now, implement ESG frameworks smoothly, and avoid last-minute compliance stress.
This is the difference between reactive and proactive ESG management. Companies that invest in ESG training now will have an internal team ready to handle sustainability reporting on their own terms. Companies that wait? They’ll be scrambling for solutions under pressure.
How Elite Asia’s ESG Training Works
Our step-by-step training approach ensures that you don’t just learn ESG concepts. Our courses will make sure that you actually know how to apply them to your company’s real-world challenges.
Step 1: Talk to Our Certified ESG Trainers
We start with a personalised consultation to assess your company’s needs. How many hours can you allocate for the training? What is your expected outcome? This helps us create a customised ESG training roadmap tailored to your business needs.
Step 2: Master ESG Compliance & Reporting
This is where you gain practical, hands-on training in ESG compliance, reporting frameworks, and risk management for real-world applications. We don’t just teach ESG theory—we show you how to apply it to your business immediately. Our courses offers:
- ESG 101 & Regulatory Compliance
Understand ESG principles, the triple bottom line, GRI, SASB, and how to conduct materiality assessments.
- ESG Report Writing
Learn how to structure and write ESG reports that meet international standards and regulatory requirements.
- IFRS S1 & S2 / NSRF Compliance
Master Malaysia’s transition to IFRS S1 & S2 reporting, so you can stay ahead of regulatory changes.
Step 3: Build Internal ESG Capabilities for the Long Term
Instead of relying on expensive consultants, your company trains internal employees to handle ESG reporting, compliance, and strategy. This means lower costs, better compliance, and stronger ESG leadership from within.
How to Claim Elite Asia’s ESG Course Under Malaysia’s HRD Corp
Securing HRD Corp funding for Elite Asia’s ESG training is straightforward. Here’s how companies can enrol their employees and claim the training cost:
- Check Eligibility: Make sure your company is registered with HRD Corp and has a valid HRDF levy balance to claim funding.
- Choose the ESG Course: Elite Asia offers structured ESG training covering ESG compliance, report writing, and IFRS S1 & S2 transition. Select the course that best suits your company’s needs.
- Submit a Grant Application: Employers need to apply for HRD Corp training grants via the e-TRiS system before the training begins. Elite Asia can assist with the application process.
- Attend the Training: Once approved, employees complete the training programme with industry experts guiding them through ESG implementation and reporting.
- Claim the Training Cost: After successful completion, companies submit proof of attendance to HRD Corp and claim their reimbursement.
The Smartest Investment Your Company Can Make—At No Cost
It’s rare to find a business investment that costs nothing but delivers long-term financial, compliance, and operational benefits. That’s exactly what HRD Corp’s fully funded ESG training offers.
Convincing leadership isn’t about asking for training—it’s about showing them the cost of not investing in internal ESG capabilities. The choice is clear: keep paying consultants year after year for something employees could do in-house, or use government-backed funding to train employees once and build lasting ESG expertise.
If your boss still isn’t convinced, ask them this: Would you rather keep outsourcing ESG forever, or build a team that can do it right—without relying on external help?
Schedule a free consultation to plan your ESG training now and tell our ESG experts all your needs and expectations!
