– Alabama Community College System, Bay Area Community College Consortium, Colorado Community College System and Louisiana Community and Technical College System to Offer Students Access via IBM SkillsBuild This Fall
– Degrees have been tested and designed with community college experts and have ACE-recommended college credits
July 22, 2024
WASHINGTON, July 22, 2024 /PRNewswire/ — IBM (NYSE: IBM) today unveiled two new IBM SkillsBuild certificates in cybersecurity and data analytics, which were tested and designed with community colleges. These new IBM SkillsBuild certificates will be available to students at the Alabama Community College System, the Bay Area Community College Consortium, the Colorado Community College System, and Louisiana Community and the technical college system this fall.
Cybersecurity and data analytics skills are essential for artificial intelligence (AI) innovation, enabling professionals to extract insights, secure critical information, make informed decisions and create value across industries in an increasingly data-centric and security-conscious world. global study According to a study conducted by the IBM Institute of Business Value, executives estimate that implementing AI and automation will require the retraining of 40% of their workforce over the next three years, primarily those in entry-level roles. This underscores the importance of creating public-private partnerships to help close the skills gap.
“Community colleges play a critical role in advancing the adoption of critical technology skills for the workforce,” said Lydia Logan, vice president of global education and workforce development, IBM Corporate Social Responsibility. “With these new credentials, IBM is helping learners gain the skills employers are looking for in a new AI-driven workplace.”
Certificates are designed to meet learner needs and were developed with academic and industry experts. Community college programs can integrate them into existing curricula so students can earn credit.
- Designed to meet learner needs: These certificates are available to recent graduates, individuals looking to learn new skills, or career changers who hold a high school diploma or GED, an associate’s degree, or a bachelor’s degree in a non-technical field. Self-paced, experiential learning at all levels helps effectively prepare learners for potential job opportunities such as junior information security analyst, network security technician, data visualization specialist, and entry-level marketing analyst.
- Developed in collaboration with academic and industry experts: Jobs for the Future (JFF) and a coalition of industry experts helped develop and validate the new competency-based IBM SkillsBuild certificates to align courses and learning with current employer demand and market trends and expectations to maximize student employment opportunities upon graduation. Experts included representatives from employers including banks and technology companies, as well as schools and education nonprofits nationwide.
- Integrate into existing community college programs for college credit: Each certificate learning plan is 60 to 65 hours long and can be integrated into a community college curriculum. The American Council on Education (ACE) conducted a certificate learning assessment and recommends 12 credits for the IBM SkillsBuild Cybersecurity certificate and 8 credits for the IBM SkillsBuild Data Analytics certificate. The courses also align with CompTIA SEC+ certification topics and skills and are recognized by potential employers.
The new IBM SkillsBuild certificates require successful completion of the following courses:
IBM SkillsBuild Cybersecurity Certificate: governance, risk, compliance and data privacy, vulnerability management, systems and network security, cloud security, security operations management, incident response and systems forensics.
IBM SkillsBuild Data Analytics Certificate: data classification, data usability for organizations, inferential and descriptive statistics, data collection and analysis, data preparation for analysis, and data visualization and presentation.
Additionally, students will have access to IBM SkillsBuild, including other degrees and more than 1,000 free courses such as AI, sustainability, cybersecurity, data analytics, cloud computing and professional skills.
The new certificates have been successfully tested with students from Alabama, Colorado, CaliforniaAnd Louisiana in 2023.
“Alabama “The community college worked with IBM to pilot the cybersecurity certificate because of the strong need for entry-level skills-based credentials that help students get started on a path to a career in IT,” said Dr. Courtney MonetteSpecial Programs Project Director, Alabama Community College System. “In 2021, Alabama “The university has adopted a skills-based career training program called Mobilizing Alabama Pathways, or MAP, which allows new and returning students in adult education and career pathways to earn a credential such as the IBM SkillsBuild Certificate in Cybersecurity or Data Analytics; thereby building confidence and foundational employability skills for all high-demand, high-wage career groups.”
“I use the IBM SkillsBuild Cybersecurity certification for my two community-based training courses on cybersecurity fundamentals that I have piloted in Diablo Valley College “Over the past fall and spring semesters, this has proven to be a rewarding experience for the participating students, for me and for the college,” said Richard GrotegutFaculty of Computer Network Technology at Diablo Valley Collegepart of the Contra Costa Community College District and a member of the Bay Area Community College Consortium. “This validated the college’s decision to offer this course as part of its academic offerings starting next school year. The diploma has proven to be a very good introduction to cybersecurity. While most participants have improved their academic credentials and are continuing their studies, several of the training’s “converts” have used their success in the course to secure employment in technical support positions at local companies. The course’s rich content and approach, with a particular emphasis on oral and written communication skills, has been a key factor in building the confidence that has helped students land these jobs.”
“Front Range Community College is delighted to have been selected as one of four colleges nationally to collaborate on the design and launch of the new IBM SkillsBuild Data Analytics degree,” said Colleen SimpsonEdD, Front Range Community College President. “This collaboration with IBM, a renowned technology leader, offers our students the opportunity to develop essential skills in this growing field.”
“Baton Rouge Community College “I was delighted to work with IBM to lead this initiative last year,” said BRCC Chancellor Dr. Willie E. Smith“We look forward to continuing this collaboration and working with IBM to expand the initiative and offer it to Louisiana citizens across the Louisiana Community and the technical college system. Through this collaboration, we are demonstrating our commitment to equipping our residents with the skills and hands-on experience needed to excel in the high-demand fields of cybersecurity and data analytics. Together, we are paving the way for Louisiana emerge as a national leader in these rapidly growing sectors, ensuring that our talent is prepared to meet the challenges and seize the opportunities of the future.”
“In an increasingly dynamic economy, shaped by rapidly evolving technology, employers, learners and workers need agile and reliable ways to acquire and validate the skills that will lead to the quality jobs of the future,” said Joel VargasVice President of JFF Education. “JFF is proud to work with IBM and these innovative institutions to lead the charge in creating scalable solutions to meet this growing need.”
IBM’s work with community colleges is an important part of the company’s pioneering skills-based approach and is part of IBM’s Commitment provide 30 million people with the new skills needed for the jobs of tomorrow by 2030.
About IBM SkillsBuild
IBM SkillsBuild is a free educational program aimed at increasing access to technology education. Through this program, IBM helps adult learners, high school and university students and teachers gain valuable new skills and access career opportunities. The program includes an online platform complemented by personalized, hands-on learning experiences, delivered in collaboration with a global network of partners.
The open version of IBM SkillsBuild is an online platform offering more than 1,000 courses in 20 languages on AI, sustainability, cybersecurity, data analytics, cloud computing and many other technical disciplines, as well as professional skills such as design. Participants can earn IBM-branded digital credentials that are recognized by the market.
The enhanced IBM SkillsBuild can also include workshops, expert conversations with IBM coaches and mentors, project-based learning, access to IBM software, specialized support from partners throughout the learning process, and connection to career opportunities. skillsbuild.org to learn more.
Media contact:
Estefania Sanchez
IBM Media Relations
estefania.sanchez@ibm.com
SOURCE IBM
