Are Micro-Credentials the Way to Go?

Malaysia's workers, including professionals, must continue to improve themselves through micro-credential programmes to adapt and remain relevant in sectors like information technology and digitalisation or risk falling far behind.

HR professionals are increasingly advocating for micro-credentials as they mainly address the areas employers need to upskill. At the same time, the courses are short, taking only five days to train and develop participants, and most crucially, cost-effective.

 

Micro-credentials: The best answer for today's labour needs?

According to Gajendra Balasingham, CEO of GKK Consultants Sdn Bhd, micro-credentials are the greatest answer for urgent changes because employability, resources, funds, and time are vital in managing today's labour shortfall.

Among all developing business industries, the nation's IT industry suffers from severe workforce shortages, as critical skills are not being expanded at the tertiary level quickly enough.

As a result, many students are choosing micro-credentials as well, as they serve to fill specific pressing needs in a short period.

Similar trends can be seen in other industrialised nations like Canada and China, as well as in Malaysia, where 78% of higher education students favour online learning over traditional face-to-face classes due to the lower costs involved.

According to him, online learning is the favoured trend in China (78%) and Canada (83%).

 

What's cool about micro-credentials?

GKK, a renowned Asean-based human resource consultant, actively encourages Malaysian businesses and employees to proceed in this route since "micro-credentials is today's buzzword," according to Gajendra.

With micro-credential classes taking only five days to complete, the industry anticipates an increase in the number of professionals who take the initiative to develop themselves.

Micro-credentials directly address areas in desperate need of upskilling, making them the ideal and rapid solution to bite-sized education. Many e-learning portals, like Udemy, Simplilearn, and even LinkedIn, are popular in Malaysia and have gained traction, even offering credentials upon completion.

He went on to say that such courses are also less expensive than professional certifications and that with money being so scarce these days, micro-credentials are the ideal way to get forward.

"There is also scientific data that proves when things are learned in small measures, there are more positive results with goals achieved than in big, long-term learning," he added.

 

Why employers should consider micro-credentials as a way to upskill

GKK Consultancy is striving to get its own training micro-courses accredited by several global certification bodies, he said.

"Today's technology-inclined world demands a constant, continuous upgrading of skills, both personal and work-related so as to stay adaptable and relevant," he said. 

"Adapt to the new norm or be left far behind! Such is the urgent advice to many employees to upskill their current qualifications."

Another key aspect is that micro-credentials appear to be addressing the reliance on foreign labourers, as long as they are aligned with the urgent needs of the industry. Delivering the most suitable and relevant programmes for immediate relief is critical.

"However, an advisory panel from various government agencies and universities needs to be set up so that their advice, guidance, and even certification could help to offer what is immediate and much needed," he stated. 

"Micro-credentials are helping to address immediate demands in Malaysia, but it has yet to be fully endorsed among local talents."

 

Source: The Edge Markets