Pearson, the world’s leading learning company, launches its first globally recognized Esports Business Management Qualification in Southeast Asia, in partnership with British Esports Association. AcadArena, Southeast Asia’s notable Campus Gaming and Esports Education organization, will also join Pearson as a strategic partner to kick-start the qualification in the region.
The esports industry has seen tremendous growth over the recent years, both in terms of the number of fans and revenue streams. As Southeast Asia is seen to be the fastest-growing esports market in the world, every country in Southeast Asia is well poised to be the esports and gaming hub in the region with Singapore hosting the annual Dota 2 The International 2022 (TI11) last year and MLBB M4 World Championship recently took place in Jakarta. Singapore is also hosting MPL Season 5 this month and the first Olympics esports week in June as well as the 2023 SEA Games Esports Event to be held in Cambodia later this year.
Pearson’s BTEC International Level 3 Esports
With the ongoing boom in the esports industry, it is expected to translate into increased demand for skilled talents. Thus, the Esports Qualification is designed to be a skills-focused program to allow students to develop skills and knowledge in esports and cross-curricular content. The transferable skills will then give the students the opportunity to explore different areas of esports and create a progression to long-term careers in the esports industry.
The Esports Qualification consists of 22 units which are designed to provide deep insights into the business of esports. It will be a hybrid learning session taught by experienced educators in schools, universities, polytechnics, vocational teaching colleges, and similar higher education institutions approved by Pearson. These qualified educators have the flexibility to create their own teaching materials, assessments, and resources. In addition, Pearson also provides free online courses to help educators adapt to the blended and online learning delivery, as well as to provide them with best practices to support their students.
The Esports Qualification will be a 100% project-based assessment graded based on practical aspects. Individuals can develop core skills such as communication, adaptability, problem-solving, critical thinking, teamwork, leadership, and more. With this qualification, individuals can also widen their career opportunities as there will be a need for skilled professionals with the evolving esports landscape in the areas of marketing, event management, business development, and talent management.
“Perception is the biggest challenge we have been facing when it comes to esports qualification. Most parents think that esports is simply sitting in front of the computer and playing games while many qualified educators think that they can’t teach esports because it can’t be taught as a subject. Therefore, Pearson’s aim is to change these perceptions and let everyone know that esports can also be designed to educate like any other course, and what we are doing as an education company to make it happen,” said Annabel Lawday, stakeholder engagement manager, Workforce Skills Division at Pearson.
Pearson is in talks with a number of key education providers for potential partnerships in the region to introduce the Esports Business Management Qualification to boost signups from more esports players and enthusiasts. Pearson is looking to incorporate this skills-based qualification into the regional curriculum. However, for schools that have set their curriculum, Pearson can work with them to offer this qualification as part of the timetable or as an extracurricular activity.