8 min read

Client Guide

Everything you need to know about finding and booking the right trainer through TrainerLink.

How TrainerLink Works

TrainerLink is a B2B training concierge marketplace. Instead of spending weeks searching for trainers, comparing quotes, and verifying credentials, you submit a single training brief and we do the heavy lifting.

1
Submit a Brief

Tell us what training you need — topic, dates, budget, location, and participant count.

2
AI Matching

Our TrainerLink Quality Score system matches your brief against our vetted and approved trainer catalog. Scoring is informed by HRD Corp standards and evaluates expertise, module quality, availability, and compliance.

3
Review Shortlist

You receive a curated shortlist of 3-5 best-fit trainers within 48 hours, with profiles and ratings.

4
Confirm Booking

Select your preferred trainer, review the proposal, and confirm. We handle compliance and admin.

Typical Timeline

Brief submission to shortlist: 24-48 hours. Shortlist to confirmed booking: depends on your review speed. Total end-to-end: typically 3-5 business days.

Submitting Your Training Brief

The training brief is the foundation of everything. The more detail you provide, the better we can match you with the right trainer. Here's what you'll need:

FieldWhat to IncludeWhy It Matters
Company NameYour registered company nameUsed for proposals and HRD Corp compliance
Training TopicSpecific topic or skill area neededCore matching criteria — be specific
Preferred DatesDate range or specific datesFilters trainers by availability
Budget RangePer day or total budget in RMEnsures proposals fit your budget
ParticipantsExpected number of attendeesAffects trainer selection and pricing
Location / ModePhysical venue, online, or hybridMatches trainers in your area or online-ready
HRD Corp ClaimableYes, No, or Not SureIf yes, only HRD TTT trainers matched. If no, all trainers including SME/Industry Experts are eligible

Pro Tip

Include specific learning outcomes or pain points in the "Additional Notes" field. For example: "Our sales team struggles with consultative selling — we need practical role-play exercises, not just theory." This helps us find trainers whose methodology matches your needs.

Reviewing Your Shortlist

Once our AI matching engine processes your brief, you'll receive an email with a link to your personalized shortlist. Here's what to expect:

Trainer Profiles

Each shortlisted trainer comes with their full profile — qualifications, experience, specializations, TEE ratings, and a match score showing how well they fit your brief.

TrainerLink Quality Score

Each trainer receives a Quality Score (out of 100) informed by HRD Corp standards. It evaluates topic expertise, module quality (CLOs, methodology), trainer credentials, availability, budget fit, and compliance. Only trainers who passed our quality vetting are included. Higher scores mean better alignment.

Shortlist Expiry

Your shortlist is valid for 7 days. After that, trainer availability may change. You'll receive a reminder at the 5-day mark.

Selecting Trainers

You can select one or more trainers from the shortlist. Once you confirm your selection, we generate a formal proposal for your review.

Proposals & Booking

After you select trainers from your shortlist, we generate a professional proposal document. Here's the process:

What's in the Proposal

  • Trainer profile summary and qualifications
  • Proposed training outline and methodology
  • Pricing breakdown (trainer fee + TrainerLink service fee)
  • Logistics details (dates, location, duration)
  • HRD Corp compliance status (if applicable)
  • Terms and conditions

Your Options

Accept

Proceed to secure payment

Request Changes

Ask for adjustments to dates, scope, or pricing

Decline

Not the right fit — we'll find alternatives

Payment Process

  • When you accept a proposal, you'll be redirected to a secure Stripe Checkout page
  • Pay via credit/debit card. Your card details are handled securely by Stripe (PCI DSS compliant)
  • Once payment is confirmed, the booking is automatically created and both parties are notified
  • Government/GLC clients: No online payment needed. Booking is confirmed via Purchase Order (PO)

HRD Corp vs Private Training — Which Path?

TrainerLink supports two training paths. Your choice affects which trainers you'll be matched with and what compliance steps are involved.

AspectHRD Corp ClaimablePrivate Training
Best ForLevy-contributing companies wanting to claim training costsAny company wanting quality training without HRD paperwork
Trainer PoolHRD TTT Certified trainers onlyAll trainers — HRD TTT + Industry Experts / SME
Compliancee-TRiS, 21-day rule, attendance, evaluation formsMinimal — basic booking confirmation only
Cost RecoveryClaim up to 100% from HRD Corp levyDirect payment — no claim process
TimelinePlan 21+ days ahead (advance notice rule)Flexible — can book with shorter notice
Trainer ExpertiseCertified trainers with formal credentialsWider pool including industry practitioners and niche SMEs

Choose HRD Corp Claimable When:

  • Your company is an HRD Corp levy contributor
  • You want to claim training costs from your levy
  • You can plan at least 21 days in advance
  • You need formally certified trainers

Choose Private Training When:

  • You're not an HRD Corp levy contributor
  • You want faster booking with less paperwork
  • You need a niche industry expert or SME practitioner
  • You need training on short notice

HRD Corp Compliance — We Handle It

When you mark a brief as "HRD Corp Claimable," our system automatically filters for TTT-certified trainers, monitors the 21-day advance notice rule, and ensures all compliance documents (e-TRiS, attendance, evaluation) are in order. Your HR team only needs to submit the grant application and post-training claim on the HRD Corp portal.

Not Sure Which to Choose?

Just submit your brief and mention your preference in the notes. Our team will advise you on the best path based on your company's HRD Corp status and training needs. You can also select "Not sure" for the HRD claimable field.

Tracking Your Briefs

You can track all your briefs and their status through the Client Portal. Access it anytime by clicking "My Briefs" in the navigation bar.

StatusWhat It MeansYour Action
SubmittedBrief received, pending reviewWait for processing
MatchingAI is finding best-fit trainersWait for shortlist
Shortlist SentShortlist ready for your reviewReview & select trainers
Proposal SentFormal proposal generatedAccept, request changes, or decline
BookedTraining confirmed and scheduledPrepare for training day
CompletedTraining delivered successfullySubmit HRD claim if applicable

After Training — Sharing Your Feedback

After your training is completed, you may receive a feedback link from TrainerLink. Your review helps us maintain quality and helps other companies make informed decisions.

1
Receive Review Link

After your training session, you'll receive a unique link via email or from the TrainerLink team. No login or account needed.

2
Rate & Write Feedback

Give a star rating (1-5) and write about your experience. Was the trainer knowledgeable? Was the content relevant? Would you recommend them?

3
Submit

Your review is submitted for moderation. Once approved, it may appear on the TrainerLink homepage as a testimonial.

Your Feedback Matters

Honest reviews help TrainerLink maintain high standards. They also help trainers improve and help other companies find the right fit. All reviews are moderated before being published.

Frequently Asked Questions

Ready to get started?

Submit your first training brief and let us handle the rest. You'll receive a curated shortlist within 48 hours.