WORQEX, a Malaysian work-based online learning programme, is the first of its kind to provide real-world working experience to its learners. Doing away with theory-based and academia-driven syllabi, WORQEX onboards their trainees into a simulated company and coaches them through modules of popular work tasks to build a work portfolio for their job-seeking journey — all from the convenience of their homes and at their own pace.
Although unemployment rates are currently at a record low, many companies still grapple with finding well-rounded talents equipped with adequate skill sets and a mature, work-ready mindset. This is exacerbated by the fact that an alarming number of young Malaysians believe that furthering their studies does not guarantee better employment — over 72 per cent of Sijil Pelajaran Malaysia (SPM) graduates plan to discontinue their studies after secondary school and dive head first into the competitive world of work.
“Through our previous endeavours working with more than 300 companies and 10,000 jobseekers, we discovered a fundamental problem: most young talents spent their university years learning theories and concepts, and are nowhere near prepared to face the reality of working. Their work documents end up being not up to par, their ideas not contextualised, their briefs too long. Work experience’ is what gives employers comfort that candidates are work-ready, not just academically-ready,” said Ezlan Mohsen Lokman, CEO of WORQEX. “This is where WORQEX comes in: to give our learners the edge they need to stand out from the pack and for the best possible chance of getting hired.”
Incorporating real-life practical modules into what would usually be an entirely digital experience, WORQEX’s unique format brings both employer and employee closer together, upskilling jobseekers to bridge the gap with the realities of employer expectations.
Preparing for the Real World with Less Theory, More Hands-On Projects
In lieu of theoretical lectures and test-based courses, WORQEX (a portmanteau of ‘work’ and ‘experience’) programmes instead span modules of hands-on hurdles and tasks that make up an entire work project — from the initial planning and budgeting to sales/marketing, data analysis, and even automation. WORQEX’s programmes are taught by a team of experienced trainers, all of whom are either professional facilitators or seasoned industry experts.
This finished project, once assessed, approved, and checked for plagiarism, can then be immediately included in the jobseeker’s portfolio to be presented to future employers.
Ezlan further shares, “During a job interview, when employers ask young candidates whether they can truly meet the demands of the job, they will usually give a long-winded answer trying to match their resume information to the question. Now, imagine if the candidate can instead just show the portfolio they’ve built in WORQEX — demonstrating how they presented their work plan, built their pitch deck, prepared an annual budget, and completed 60 other on-the-job tasks?”
Readily available to everyone regardless of educational level, the platform provides four main programmes to cater to learners with differing levels of commitment: WORQEX8 (8 tasks, 6 modules), WORQEX16 (16 tasks, 12 modules), WORQEX35 (35 tasks, 10 modules) and WORQEX60 (60 tasks, 17 modules). The modules are accompanied by reward-based challenges and a dedicated trainee support function to keep the learning process fun and engaging. To further support mobile learning, all programmes are conducted entirely online and can be taken at one’s convenience any time during a set validity period.
“Our core principle is simple: in order to land a job, you need to be able to demonstrate that you can do that job. As academic-driven learning is fast being outpaced by the ever-changing realities of business that it is supposed to cater for, WORQEX’s hands-on knowledge is proving all the more invaluable. This experience can be transposed by our learners across a variety of vocations, serving as a strong foundation for a more resilient workforce on the whole,” added Ezlan.
To date, WORQEX has supported over 400 students and young executives from more than 30 organisations such as MRCB, PERKESO, and UNIRAZAK. As an approved training provider under HRDCorp and PERKESO, WORQEX is now consolidating its position in Malaysia before expanding to the rest of Southeast Asia in 2023.
