The World Economic Forum (WEF) published ‘The Future of Jobs Report’ in 2020, warning that recession and the robot revolution may displace 85 million jobs by 2025. Machines are set to take over information and data processing, administrative tasks and routine manual jobs.
The Covid-19 pandemic has accelerated these changes in an unprecedented way, with businesses across the globe hastening their digitalisation of work processes and automation, with millions of low-skilled workers bearing the brunt.
Yet, the silver lining is that an estimated 97 million other jobs would be created, especially in industries such as artificial intelligence, content creation, engineering, cloud computing, and product development.
The catch is – are you the kind of worker that companies want to keep, or hire, in 2025?
The WEF says that to keep their jobs in the next five years, 50% of workers will need to reskill. In fact, by 2022, 42% of core skills required to perform existing jobs are expected to change.
Some like Tan Su San, who works in the travel industry, have made the first move. When her industry was hit by the pandemic, she decided to take up a short microcredential course with Taylor’s University on Risk Management and Communication to “stay competitive in the market.”
Tan Su San
“I learnt how to manage risk effectively,” says Tan, adding that she plans to use her skills in her upcoming projects. “Risk management helps to prepare for the unexpected while risk communication theories can improve message distinctiveness.”
It’s with this realisation that workers have to pivot their careers and align with industry needs, that the Malaysian government allocated RM1billion in Budget 2022 for upskilling and reskilling programmes.
If you’re looking for flexible short courses that helps you gain the required skills you desire without hurting your pocket, and even gain certification for it, there are microcredential programmes available.
What are microcredentials?
“Microcredentials or MicroCreds as we call it here at Taylor’s, is an industry recognised certification of learning of a smaller set of courses with credit value. It is designed to verify, validate, and attest that you have the knowledge, skills, or competencies in a specific area.
“They are shorter and more flexible than a traditional degree and designed according to the current market trends for various industries and professions,” says Professor Dr Pradeep Nair, Deputy Vice Chancellor and Chief Academic Officer, Taylor’s University.
Professor Dr Pradeep Nair
In addition to some of the university’s MicroCreds being stackable which counts towards credits needed in obtaining a degree should one choose to complete a degree programme.
Furthermore, these courses are taught by industry experts and experienced academics, where upon completion, graduates will be offered an e-certificate and a digital badge.
The Taylor’s MicroCreds programme is offering courses in various relevant fields of study and this encompasses Strategic Leadership & Management, Entrepreneurship, Artificial Intelligence, Data Science, Cybersecurity, Digital Design, Communication Management, Education Technology and Hospitality Data Analytics among others.
Prof Dr Pradeep believes that microcredentials would be the way of the future, and such options will be increasingly mainstream as people approach education with a lifelong learning mentality, interspersing education with their working life, as various waves of the Industrial Revolution and disruptions to the industry continue to emerge.
However, beyond just holding on to a job, many are looking for a career switch, as gone are the days when one stayed in the same job for most of their life.
If the thought of a career switch or picking up a skill crossed your mind in the past year, you’re not alone. A 2017 survey by McKinsey Global Institute estimated that as many as 375 million workers or 14% of the global workforce will switch occupations or acquire new skills by 2030. But that was pre-pandemic. Now, WEF puts the number at 1 billion.
Wan Putri Sakinah is one such person who is upskilling with a potential change in mind. “I’m a graphic designer, but I have been looking for a UX short course for quite some time and I found Taylor’s MicroCreds,” she says, adding that she found the course concise, informative and engaging with relevant assignments. “I want to upgrade my design skills, and explore the possibility of a career in UX.”
For Wong Weng Khye, taking up a Taylor’s MicroCreds in Professional Acting helped him gain useful skills he could utilise in hosting events or for client presentations, as well as bolster his desire to one day explore acting.
Wong Weng Khye
“I wanted to learn how actors and actresses live truthfully in an imaginary world. Subsequently, I would like to try out the performing arts industry one day – I am extremely glad to have been taught by an experienced instructor,” says Wong, adding that the course improved his self-expression and self-esteem. “Vocal projection, tempo, the non-verbal communication were some of the most important parts I have learnt.”
