Online Education Services (OES) and MortarCAPS today announced a partnership that solidifies their ongoing commitment to data innovation for Education, as the first online education program delivery partner to adopt the MortarCAPS Higher Learning Data Standard (MCDS).
This collaboration marks a critical step in supporting a modern, skills-based education system that empowers learners, supports employers, and strengthens national productivity. MortarCAPS has created Australia’s emerging Consumer Data Rights & AI focused data standard, designed to ensure education systems are interoperable, learner-owned and aligned with the needs of industry and government.
“Partnering with MortarCAPS allows a consistent data standard that will enable enhanced operability between institutions, as well as the ability to identify trends and insights into teaching performance and student feedback, helping refine educational strategies,” said Sacha Nouwens, Chief Student Experience Officer of OES.
“We are proud to be the first online education delivery partner to join this international initiative, helping shape the future of skills recognition and educational infrastructure in tertiary education.”
The MortarCAPS Higher Learning Data Standard (MCDS) is a sector-developed, AI-aligned framework that solves long-standing issues in the education system, such as fragmented data, limited skills recognition and slow institutional coordination. MCDS provides a consistent, machine-readable data layer that:
- Embeds verified skills and competencies into learner records, linked to national and global skills frameworks
- Supports learner mobility, enabling stackable credentials and seamless transitions across qualifications, institutions and borders
- Drives AI-readiness and digital transformation, modernising legacy student systems and enabling automation
- Reduces costs and duplication by enabling a common interface across institutions and vendors
- Facilitates evidence-based workforce planning through real-time insight into educational and employment outcomes
- Bridging the gap between tertiary education and industry
With over 80 institutions across Australia, New Zealand and Canada involved in the development of MCDS, the initiative is widely recognised as a significant cross-sector education reform.
As a digital education partner to Australian universities, OES brings deep capability in learner-centred online program delivery.
This partnership will enable OES to:
- Recognise verifiable digital credentials through MortarCAPS along with our partner institution that are portable, secure and learner-owned.
- Provide its partner institutions with future-ready data infrastructure for stackable learning and microcredentials
- Align online education programs with national policy priorities around skills, equity and AI transformation
- Help shape a more responsive and inclusive system that meets the needs of diverse and lifelong learners
“OES is helping to pave the way for more consistent, inclusive and impactful education pathways,” said Charlsey Pearce, CEO of MortarCAPS.
“Their leadership shows that the private sector has a vital role to play in building a system where learning is visible, trusted and connected to real opportunity.”
This partnership also reinforces Australia’s leadership in digital education reform, creating a globally relevant model that balances trust, innovation and learner control. With MCDS already influencing standards across Canada and New Zealand, MortarCAPS is helping establish Australia as a trailblazer in education and skills recognition globally.
This announcement represents both organisations’ encouragement to other private and public education providers to join the movement toward an open, equitable and skills-focused education data management system.
About OES
OES partners with universities and education providers to deliver high-quality online learning at scale. With expertise across learning design, analytics, student support and digital transformation, OES works with institutions worldwide who share our vision to engage, challenge and motivate students at every step of the study journey.
About MortarCAPS
MortarCAPS is a not-for-profit driving a sector-led data revolution in tertiary education. Through the MortarCAPS Higher Learning Data Standard, institutions and vendors are building a plug-and-play ecosystem that empowers learners and prepares the sector for the future.
Media Contacts
MortarCAPS
Charlsey Pearce, CEO MortarCAPS
charlsey.pearce@mortarCAPS.org
OES
Kealey Nutt, Corporate Communications Manager
media@oes.edu.au
