Fortuitously, the Group had embarked on our digital journey a few years pre-pandemic and were already aware of the dearth of digital talent. We recognised a tangible need for Capital A to train our Allstars to be digital savvy, and knew that if we set up an academy to meet our internal needs we would be able to commercialise it by helping the rest of Malaysia catch up on the digital revolution. That was how airasia academy (then known as RedBeat Academy) was born. The timing could not have been better. We opened the academy to Allstars during MCO1.0. Almost immediately, 1,200 Allstars signed up to reskill themselves. Within the year, we had partnered with the Malaysian Industry-Government Group for High Technology (MIGHT) to train its staff in software engineering, blockchain and data. We also set up the BINA Digital Programme to help small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) digitise their businesses. In 2021, we worked with the Ministry of Higher Education (MOHE) to train unemployed university graduates in data, software and digital marketing. We also expanded our network of tertiary institution partners with whom we are collaborating on micro-credential badges, joint programmes and research, among others. The band now includes University Teknologi Malaysia, Universiti Malaya, Asia School of Business in collaboration with MIT Sloan Management and Imperial College London, Asia Pacific University of Technology & Innovation (APU) and UNITAR International University. The academy’s objective is to make digital training more accessible. Towards this end, it has not only increased the range of instructor-led training (ILT) courses offered; in August it also created a milestone by launching on-demand learning (ODL). This was significant for two reasons: the speed with which it was achieved (just six months after the idea being conceived); and the market response generated. The number of new users on the academy’s platform jumped by over 10,000 in just two months, and is projected to hit 700,000 in 2022. The rate at which the academy has developed ODL content is just as amazing. In just two months, it was offering over 10,000 unique courses; and the number is expected to exceed 20,000 by end 2022. ODL courses have definite advantages over ILT, especially in the current climate, as they can be taken at home, or indeed anywhere at all and at any time suiting learners’ convenience. ODL is also more affordable as there is no need to pay instructors’ fees or training centre costs; and the programmes can be tailored to meet learners’ unique learning styles. By end 2021, the academy was offering 150 ILT courses and over 10,000 ODL courses. Among the ODL courses introduced was a series of free modules for SMEs. Leveraging our partnership with Google Cloud, we adapted the quick, easy-to-understand lessons on Google Malaysia’s Google Primer app to help business owners and individuals grow digital skills and reach their goals. In addition, a number of ODL courses were developed with Jom Tuisyen specifically to help school children cope with school closure. These ‘tuition classes’ in Mathematics, Science, Physics, Chemistry and Biology are available for primary and secondary students in English, Malay and Mandarin. While allowing students to prepare for the national exams, the modules will also enable them to develop digital skill sets and provide a funnel into some of the more detailed and advanced courses. The year 2022 has got off to a good start, with the launch of the Drone License - Remote Pilot Certificate of Competency and other drone-related courses on 10 January. These have been approved by the Civil Aviation Authority of Malaysia (CAAM), making airasia academy the first in Malaysia to be recognised by CAAM as a remote pilot training organisation (RPTO). Going forward, the academy will continue to expand its offerings to fulfil the needs of all levels of society, from school children to school leavers, fresh graduates as well as SMEs, government agencies and private sector bodies. Much thought will go into developing content that is relevant and delivering these on channels that are user friendly. Ultimately, airasia academy seeks to become a one-stop talent-building platform, bridging gaps in skills not just in Malaysia but the region. Ventures a i r a s i a a c a d e m y The need for digital talent had been growing steadily, yet perhaps also imperceptibly, over the years… then exploded in 2020 when the pandemic unfolded. Suddenly, it was not just good to have a couple of ‘IT people’ in an organisation who could fix computer glitches. It became absolutely essential to have data analysts, software engineers, cyber security and cloud computing experts, and a multitude of other specialists to help digitalise businesses everywhere as the whole world scrambled to transition online. airasia academy’s Objectives • Make digital training more accessible • Increase the range of instructor-led training (ILT) courses offered • Develop content that is relevant and deliver on channels that are user friendly M A N A G E M E N T D I S C U S S I O N A N D A N A L Y S I S A N N U A L R E P O R T 2 0 2 1 0 9 3
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