CTOS, airasia academy to empower SMEs

Partners: Hamburger (left) and Fernandes at the launch. — Courtesy of airasia academy

KUALA LUMPUR: With 1,000 courses on its platform, airasia academy is joining hands with CTOS Digital Bhd to empower small and medium enterprises (SMEs) with knowledge on digital marketing and branding.

For its part, CTOS plans to convert 2,000 clients in its ecosystem to potential learners for airasia academy.

Capital A Bhd chief executive officer Tan Sri Tony Fernandes said the collaboration with CTOS allows their third-party clients, which are mostly SMEs, a chance to learn about website development, digital marketing, software engineering and eventually artificial intelligence.

“Based on over 20 years of building the low cost ethos behind airasia, making flying accessible and the world a smaller place for the people in Asean, I firmly believe that there is a low cost model for education,” said Fernandes.

Capital A Bhd is the parent company of airasia academy.

“CTOS can be a marketing agent for us as SMEs can use airasia academy’s courses to improve themselves,” added Fernandes.

The collaboration between CTOS and airasia academy is expected to expand further, with both companies exploring future initiatives to provide support with up-scaling and retraining education for SMEs.

Fernandes said that many SMEs are not equipped with the knowledge to utilise digital tools for their businesses.

“So many SMEs do not use the power of their customer database, do not understand social media branding and do not even have a website,” he said.

Fernandes said that the airasia academy provides an educational service where entrepreneurs are able to work and learn something to improve themselves while running their business.

CTOS group chief executive officer Erick Hamburger said: “SMEs are the backbone of our economy, driving innovation, creating jobs and fostering resilience.”

“Similarly, at CTOS, SMEs have always been at the core of our business, contributing 46% of CTOS group revenue in the financial year ending Dec 31, 2023.”

Hamburger spoke at the event to mark the beginning of the CTOS-airasia academy collaboration.

At the same event, CTOS reintroduced its enhanced CTOS Verified service, which offers companies a mark of an online credibility through the CTOS Verified Seal.

According to CTOS, successfully verified businesses earn the privilege to showcase this seal, bolstering their online presence, credibility and transparency.

CTOS Verified companies are able to enjoy exclusive access to national networking events, consulting workshops, marketing coaching and other benefits.

Aireen Omar, president of investment and ventures at Capital A, said airasia academy has recognised that by helping provide entrepreneurs and startups with a talent and knowledge hub they can use to upskill themselves, they will be able to solidify their foundation, adapt through changing environments, fill current gaps and stay ahead of the competition.

“We hope that this partnership with our fellow SME friends at CTOS Verified will foster sustainable economic development and prepare these individuals and enterprises for the challenges and opportunities in today’s digital economy.”