airasia academy, Google in push to educate SMEs

• Tie-up provides free digital courses for SMEs
• Option to subscribe to courses RM10 a month thereafter

airasia academy, the edutech arm of airasia Digital, announced a collaboration with Google Malaysia as part of its BINA Digital programme initiative to provide free digital courses for small and medium local enterprises (SMEs) in Malaysia.

In a statement, the company formerly known as Redbeat Academy, said the collaboration aims at empowering the SME community in re-skilling and up-skilling themselves to digitise their business, stay relevant, be equipped with modern tech skill sets and continue to excel in their businesses.

Google Primer is a mobile app that offers quick, easy-to-understand lessons to help business owners and individuals grow skills and reach their goals.

The free courses are now available for SMEs or any individual who is interested to learn via the on-demand learning platform at redbeatacademy.com. 

Lessons on how to start your own business, manage your team, and market your products are available in English and Bahasa Malaysia.

All content is designed to help SMEs embrace digitalisation and enhance their business in these challenging times, airasia academy said.

The first 50 airasia academy students who have completed the Primer series by Oct 31 will have the option to subscribe to courses on the on-demand learning platform at only RM10 a month.

They will also stand a chance to win a free seat to airasia academy instructor-led training courses and a lunch date with Aireen Omar, president of airasia digital when they have fully completed the Primer Series, the company said.

“The SMEs are a key pillar of our economy. In these tough times, we’ve seen many local SMEs struggling to stay afloat and we want to continue playing our part by providing free access to those in need to ensure that they are equipped with tech skill sets to grow their businesses," said Aireen.

“We are delighted to embark on this journey together with Google Malaysia and look forward to reskilling and upskilling thousands of SMEs in Malaysia so they can be more resilient and continue to contribute positively to the economy.”

Marc Woo, Managing Director of Google Malaysia said, “Malaysians are spending more time online and as we embark on the path of economic recovery, digital technologies are pivotal to help SMEs adapt.

“This means that when these businesses go online, they can reach their customers faster, which in turn generates a higher uplift in our digital economy.

“By continuing to work with our long-standing partners like airasia academy, we are committed to ensuring that every business has the support and tools they need to recover and rebuild for the long run.”

airasia academy BINA Digital is a specialised development programme that was introduced in 2020. 

It is part of its offerings that provide online courses for SMEs to get started, build and grow their online presence, and enhance their ability to maintain sustainable business expansion and growth, it said.

The programme has benefitted over 3,000 SMEs to-date, it added.

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