In a rapidly evolving digital landscape, staying ahead of the curve requires continuous upskilling and reskilling.
Recently, BusinessToday sat down with an expert from OpenAcademy, its Co-founder and Managing Director, Celine Ting to delve into the specific digital and technical skills most in demand among Malaysian workers today and how the platform addresses common upskilling challenges.
OpenAcademy is a Malaysian ed-tech startup dedicated to addressing the pressing demand for workforce upskilling in Malaysia. With their intuitive mobile platform, OpenAcademy delivers bite-sized microlearning modules tailored to practical, industry-specific digital skills.
Celine said in the rapidly evolving digital landscape of 2024, Malaysian workers must stay informed about key trends and developments to remain competitive. Upskilling and reskilling in digital and technical skills continue to be essential, as industries undergo digital transformation.
Continuous learning through online courses, workshops, and certifications will be critical for individuals to adapt to changing job requirements and market demands. Furthermore, with the increasing digitisation of businesses and government services, cybersecurity threats are on the rise.
Malaysian workers need to prioritise cybersecurity training to protect themselves and their organizations against cyber attacks, phishing scams, and data breaches. By staying informed and continuously investing in their skills, Malaysian workers can navigate the digital landscape with confidence and resilience.
Current Most Sought-after Skills
Cybersecurity expertise tops the list of sought-after skills, reflecting the growing importance of safeguarding against cyber threats in an increasingly digital business environment. “As digital continues becoming a norm in different businesses, that also means that cyber threats also continue to grow.
Hence a growing demand for cybersecurity professionals who can protect organizations from cyber attacks, secure networks and systems, and ensure data privacy,” Celine said.
She recognised this demand and offers curated content to equip professionals with the knowledge and skills to protect organisations from cyber attacks and ensure data privacy.
Additionally, the field of digital marketing continues to expand, but the demand has shifted towards individuals who can strategise and oversee comprehensive digital strategies. “…people are looking for individuals who have the ability to strategize and be able to have bigger picture thinking in building digital strategies and oversee the entire digital ecosystem,” she added.
The Common Wall of Upskilling Journey
“…some of the biggest challenges individuals may face is only having learning content that is very theory based and just not practical enough or relevant enough. Many content on platforms are overseas centric content, which may not be relevant for individuals working in Southeast Asia, or Malaysia,” Celine said.
She further added, “…individuals sometimes are also learning from non-credible sources as many platforms allow anyone to be able to create learning content. This can become a challenge in the accuracy of what these individuals learn and may end up being a waste of time if it’s not from a credible source.”
Addressing these common upskilling challenges, OpenAcademy focused on providing practical and relevant learning content tailored to the Southeast Asian context.
Additionally, by engaging industry practitioners, the platform ensures that learners receive credible insights and real-world applications of their skills.
Moreover, the platform acknowledges the time constraints faced by individuals and offers microlearning modules that enable flexible learning, allowing users to consume content on the go.
The Platform’s Achievement in the Industry
According to Celine, OpenAcademy’s mobile platform is designed with user-friendliness and accessibility in mind. All content on the platform is optimised for mobile devices, making it easy for learners to access and consume educational materials anytime, anywhere.
From videos to articles and infographics, the platform offers a variety of multimedia resources to suit different learning preferences. Additionally, OpenAcademy provides content at various levels, allowing individuals at all career stages to find material that meets their learning needs.
Whether learners are seeking introductory knowledge, industry insights, or professional certifications, OpenAcademy offers a comprehensive range of content to support their growth and development.
Highlighting success stories, Celine shared how individuals have launched successful side hustles in digital marketing inspired by industry practitioners on the platform. “Because of the bite sized and mobile first content nature, this individual was able to easily consume the content on the go and quickly while they were traveling in the car.”
Looking ahead, OpenAcademy aims to expand its reach across Southeast Asia, collaborating with industry experts to provide the most relevant learning content. Plans for accreditation of microlearning modules will further incentivize users to upskill, with certification opportunities on the horizon.
As Malaysian workers navigate the digital landscape in 2024, continuous upskilling in digital and technical skills remains paramount. OpenAcademy stands ready to support workforce development and empower individuals to thrive in an ever-changing job market.
Outlook for EdTech and OpenAcademy
“EdTech companies play an important role in ensuring that learning becomes easier for individuals,” Celine said. EdTech companies like OpenAcademy are revolutionising the way individuals acquire new skills and knowledge.
By leveraging technology, these platforms make learning more accessible and flexible than ever before. This accessibility is crucial in addressing the skills gap in Malaysia’s workforce, as it allows individuals to upskill and reskill regardless of their location or schedule.
Moreover, EdTech platforms offer personalised learning experiences, catering to the diverse needs and preferences of learners. This personalized approach ensures that individuals can learn at their own pace and focus on topics relevant to their career goals.
Looking ahead Celine said that they are looking to expand their platform across SEA by working together with Southeast Asian industry practitioners to provide the most effective and relevant learning content on the OpenAcademy app.
“OpenAcademy is also working towards accreditation for microlearning content, rewarding users that take their time to upskill with certification. We will be working with partners such as universities as well as job portals to be able to realise this next step!” she added.
