For many, life circumstances get in the way. Some school leavers are forced into work by financial pressures, others have to support their families, or cannot afford the rising cost of tertiary education.
Data from the higher education ministry shows that 115,939 Sijil Pelajaran Malaysia (SPM) graduates did not pursue higher education in 2020. The figure rose to 180,680 in 2021, before dropping slightly to 165,836 in 2022, and 103,301 in 2023 — more than half a million in four years.
This gap carries wider consequences: a workforce rich in experience, but lacking formal credentials risks being left behind as industries continue to evolve.
In an interview with FMT, deputy higher education minister Mustapha Sakmud says this is why upskilling is no longer optional.
“We need a workforce that can keep up with new technology. That’s why the Accreditation of Prior Experiential Learning (APEL) is so important, it helps address the shortage of skilled workers,” he said.
Recognising experience
Introduced by the Malaysian Qualifications Agency (MQA), APEL offers working adults formal academic recognition for the knowledge and skills gained through work and life experience.
Instead of starting from scratch, candidates can use their experience to gain entry into diploma, degree or postgraduate programmes, or even earn credits or full qualifications after undergoing assessment.
There are three main APEL pathways:
- APEL.A (Access)
This allows individuals to enter into a programme (e.g. degree or master’s) without the usual academic qualifications, based on assessment of their prior learning and experience. - APEL.C (Credit)
Grants credit exemptions for certain courses if candidates can show equivalent knowledge or skills acquired through work or other experiences. - APEL.Q (Qualification)
Allows highly experienced individuals to earn a full qualification (e.g. diploma, degree, or PhD) purely through assessment of their prior learning and achievements.
Mustapha said APEL offers a second chance for those who never had access to higher education, helping them advance their careers, improve their income, and grow personally.
“It helps working adults uplift themselves, improve their skills, salary, and confidence. Otherwise, they remain stuck at the same level. APEL gives them a chance to grow and be recognised for what they already know,” he said.
He said quality assurance remains stringent despite the flexible pathway. “We don’t compromise on standards; every qualification goes through thorough assessment by MQA.”
‘Grab the opportunity’
For veteran singer Nashrudin Elias, better known as Datuk Nash, APEL became a way to formalise decades of experience in the arts.
“When this programme was introduced, I saw it as a good opportunity. People think singers don’t need education, but that’s not true. You need knowledge to communicate with your audience and your team,” he said.
Nashrudin, 66, who rose to fame in the 1980s as the lead singer of rock band Lefthanded, said APEL helped him appreciate the technical and theoretical depth behind artistic performance.
He said this ranges from sound engineering to stage management, and shows that creative work deserves the same academic recognition as other professions.
“It’s not just about singing. You need learning, teamwork, and discipline. Through APEL, I realised there’s still so much to learn,” he said.
Nashrudin took the APEL.Q pathway and graduated with a master’s degree in Performance Studies at Universiti Pendidikan Sultan Idris (UPSI) in November last year.
He hopes more Malaysians will seize similar opportunities. “As long as you can still learn, grab it. This is something to be proud of – an achievement and recognition for what we’ve done.”