UK education start up is flipping the traditional education and training pathway on its head

After launching in 2016 in the UK, Multiverse.io has expanded its operations to America and attracted numerous rounds of funding, valuing the operation at over £1billion ($1.75 billion). The enormous increase in value has attracted investors and partners of the likes of Microsoft, Google and Unilever who seek to provide hands on education and training experiences for young people and develop pipelines of job ready talent.  

Multiverse offers programs in Leadership, Digital and Tech and Business. The platform operates at the interface of employers and job seekers by first taking the time to understand the skill gaps and needs of employers and then developing  courses and pipelines of candidates to fill these gaps.  

As a result, Multiverse helps businesses maximise the value of their new recruits and also provide opportunities to upskill existing employees through hands on learning experiences.  

From a job seeker’s point of view, their programs provide alternative pathways to gaining in-demand skills and begin earning earlier in their careers via paid apprenticeships.  

By enrolling in Multiverse, candidates are given the invaluable opportunity to work within an organisation needing the skills they are learning. This is a key benefit for those weighing up pursuing a traditional tertiary degree – there is the guarantee of employment and remaining debt free after completing the program.  

Once enrolled students are guaranteed one-to-one coaching with industry experts, applied learning, an opportunity to work on a personal project, membership to the Multiverse community and an accredited qualification at the end of the program.  

Comparing Multiverse to traditional apprenticeships and university pathways 

Key considerations for Australia 

• A close partnership between businesses and the education and training sector can help to ensure that the skills students are learning match existing skill gaps. 
• The line dividing the traditional pathways to work through higher education and vocational training is blurring as on the job experience in conjunction with tertiary-level learning is a winning combination for job ready candidates. 
• Education and training providers partnering with businesses to deliver  programs – through mentoring, placements and projects, co-design and co-delivery - is increasingly valuable and important to ensure that rolling skill shortages are addressed 
• Businesses are able to upskill their existing workers through specific short form training when they collaborate directly with education and training providers on learning content and design.