OpenLearning Micro-credential Symposium & Week 2021 for Malaysia
Micro-credentials as way forward for upskilling and lifelong learning
Rapid and fundamental changes to the economy are disrupting labour markets worldwide, and with it, the increased demand for new types of skills. As we move into 2022, it is clear that the COVID-19 pandemic too has played its part in accelerating digital transformations brought upon by Industry 4.0 to the jobs and employment market. Interest in micro-credentials have since risen as more employers begin to hire based on competencies, in addition to, or instead of, conventional degrees. This presents an opportunity in the market for education and training providers to deliver localised, industry-relevant, bite-sized learning and upskilling pathways via micro-credentials.
Industry-academia collaboration for targeted future skills development
Micro-credentials are steadily gaining traction and recognition as a flexible and targeted upskilling option for skills required by the industry. More and more, there is a growing demand for designing, collaborating with, and launching micro-credential programs—with and for industry partners. Malaysian education and training providers who recognise this are leading the way in designing and delivering micro-credentials on OpenLearning, including:
Higher education institutions such as Universiti Sains Malaysia, UOW Malaysia KDU, Universiti Teknologi Malaysia and Multimedia University who have launched accredited micro-credential programs in niche skills and topic areas such as continuing professional development for Malaysian teachers, workplace communication, AUTOCAD engineering drawing and business management.
A number of Malaysian trainers have also developed micro-credentials to cater to the training segment. One such training provider is Selangor Human Resource Development Centre, who are in the process of launching a series of micro-credentials for Smart Factory competency-based training via their unique hybrid approach—which combines online learning materials, plus access to a Remote Online Training lab for practical assessments.
Certified Master Trainer, Major Dr. Prebagaran Jayaraman (R), CEO of SMC Trainers Malaysia, who is in the process of developing a HRD Corp-recognised Train The Trainer (TTT) OpenCred, and demonstrating the possibilities for independent providers to develop micro-credentials using the OpenCreds for Malaysia framework, tools and guidelines available on OpenLearning.
Some global examples of collaborative micro-credentials being developed and delivered on OpenLearning are:
Deakin University’s commercial arm, DeakinCo. who works with organisations to map and understand employees from a skills development and competency level perspective. This data is then used to inform the types of targeted micro-credentials the university will develop for separate segments—depending on individual needs, and tailored for different markets across the region.
Another example of cross-sector collaboration is CS101, a new computer science micro-credential program developed in partnership with Microsoft, Alibaba Cloud, Canva, Chronosphere and OpenLearning. This introductory program sees three online short courses that bring together leading technology companies, computer scientists and learning designers with the goal of enabling anyone to learn computer science.
OpenLearning Micro-credential Symposium 2021 for Malaysia
Learn more and hear from academic and industry experts who are shaping the future of learning and training at the Micro-credential Symposium 2021 for Malaysia, a week-long virtual event featuring over 15 panel discussions, workshop sessions, partner showcases and networking opportunities throughout 18-25 November. Event highlights include:
Opening Keynote on Micro-credentials: Driving Innovation, Delivering Outcomes by Malaysian Qualifications Agency.
Partner Showcase sessions such as Navigating e-Learning with e-LATiH by HRD Corp, and Understanding the Value of Digital Credentials for Issuers & Learners by world leading digital credentialing provider, Accredible.
Micro-credential showcases by Multimedia University, Universiti Sains Malaysia, UOW Malaysia KDU and SACAP Global.
Support Available for Micro-credential Providers
Resources and support provided by OpenLearning for education and training providers looking to build micro-credentials include:
OpenCreds for Malaysia, a framework for delivering cross-sector micro-credentials aligned to the Malaysian Qualifications Agency’s (MQA) Guidelines to Good Practices: Micro-credentials. The framework enables providers to offer relevant, stackable and affordable courses that lead to credit in a formal qualification, are recognised by industry, and with a high-quality learning experience.
Strategy, best practices and knowledge-sharing via online courses, on-demand training, virtual events and webinars such as the OpenLearning Micro-credential Symposium 2021—a platform for learning, discourse and collaboration amongst providers.
OpenCreds for Malaysia Investment Fund—a RM600,000 support fund to help higher education providers, vocational education, training organisations, industry associations, accreditation agencies and professional bodies build and launch market-leading micro-credentials.
OpenCreds for Malaysia framework is the new industry standard for the delivery of micro-credentials—enabling interoperability between higher education, technical and vocational education and training, and professional learning opportunities.
To download the OpenCreds for Malaysia framework, and to access all session recordings and resources from the OpenLearning Micro-credential Symposium 2021, head to the Micro-credential Symposium Resource Hub.
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