Monday, October 9, 2023

AIIA: more tech development support needed - Technology Decisions

“Jobs of the future need to be a priority and the focus needs to be on encouraging and supporting students to seek careers in technology. Showing students and parents the many benefits that a career in digital technology provides, including the high demand for these skills and in turn the wide range of employment opportunities and strong remuneration, will support increased enrolment. As such, greater partnerships between education providers and employers to showcase the employment pathway for graduates are needed. Bush said micro-credentials are an effective educational pathway to upskill the workforce.

https://www.technologydecisions.com.au/content/it-management/news/aiia-more-tech-development-support-needed-452687664

Sunday, October 8, 2023

7 Steps to Upskill Your Workforce for the AI Era - Fisher Phillips

How prepared is your workforce for the ongoing AI revolution? It’s not about replacing humans with robots – it’s about reshaping the roles of your employees. As Executive Chairman of the World Economic Forum Klaus Schwab recently said, “In the new world, it’s not the big fish which eats the small fish, it’s the fast fish which eats the slow fish.” Your existing workforce will need to learn new skills to perform the job functions that will predominate over the five years. But what skills should be prized? And how should you carry out your mission? Here are seven steps to get the job done.

Saturday, October 7, 2023

Internships are key to success for students who seek a career in museums - Stacey Edison, JagWire, Augusta University

“Before I got this internship, I really thought that working in museums was more of like an abstract thing. I thought, ‘Oh, that would be really cool. But there is no way. That’s never going to happen,’” Phillips said. “But by getting into the museum studies program here at Augusta University, I realized like, ‘No, you actually can go out and do this. It’s not just something that would be a nice thing. You can actually do it and make this a career.’”

Friday, October 6, 2023

How to upskill developers in the wake of AI - Emma Chervek , SDX Central

Active demand for generative artificial intelligence (genAI) skills increased 20-fold this year, and research suggests that upskilling and reskilling are part of the answer for many IT organizations. And despite the useful capabilities of AI in software development, it’s only exacerbating the need for skilled developers. Talent shortages represent the main roadblock to successful data and analytics initiatives, according to Gartner’s 2023 survey of chief data officers (CDOs). The obvious solution is to “get more people into software development,” OutSystems VP of developers Miguel Baltazar told SDxCentral. “The needs are just insane.”

Thursday, October 5, 2023

10 Top Artificial Intelligence Certifications 2023 Explore the top 10 AI certifications and learn how to get certified – and improve your career - Aminu Abdullahi, eWeek

AI certifications demonstrate understanding and competence in various aspects of AI, such as machine learning, natural language processing, computer vision, robotics, and AI software. The demand for professionals with AI certifications is great: The artificial intelligence market size is projected to grow from $515.31 billion in 2023 to more than $2 trillion by 2030, at a scorching CAGR of 21.6% – and with this growth comes enormous demand for AI experts.

Wednesday, October 4, 2023

New Sac State cultural competency certificate helps professionals better serve vulnerable populations - Jonathan Morales, CSU Sacramento

A new certificate program at Sacramento State will train those in law enforcement, social services, and other professionals to work across cultures so they can better serve the region’s vulnerable populations. The Cultural Competency Certificate Program, which Sac State’s College of Continuing Education launched this month, will provide participants with knowledge, skills, and techniques that can assist them in their work with the homeless, immigrants, victims of sexual violence, and other marginalized and at-risk groups. The certificate was designed in response to current events, organizers said, including a national conversation about race and policing. It is aimed at providing its participants with important career skills and bolstering the regional workforce’s ability to respond effectively and compassionately to critical issues and incidents.

Tuesday, October 3, 2023

UD PCS INSTRUCTIONAL DESIGN CERTIFICATE MEETS ONLINE LEARNING NEEDS - Lisa Walenceus, UDaily

When she joined the University of Delaware Division of Professional and Continuing Studies (UD PCS) digital learning team in 2016, Aviva Heyn had no idea how significant her work would become. One of her first projects was updating the RN Refresher online course, a UD PCS certificate program designed to prepare nurses who have been away from the profession to be licensed again. This certificate program was made critical by the shortage of nurses during the COVID-19 pandemic. Her latest project for UD PCS is an Instructional Design Certificate program to introduce people to the world of instructional design and prepare them to use learning theory and multimedia tools to create engaging online learning experiences.

Monday, October 2, 2023

Upskilling - Future Proof Your Career - Taylor Gatonni, WILX

Industrial automation, the launch of the internet, and now AI technology like Chat GPT keeps changing how people do their jobs. Failing to keep up with changing technologies can leave you jobless; thankfully, there are things you can do to future proof your career. Companies are constantly looking for ways to increase efficiency while lowering costs. Bringing in new technology can quickly achieve that goal. But, it’s a goal not easily obtained by all. Implementing new technologies can leave some workers who are unable to quickly adapt out of a job. However, you can remain a valuable asset with upskilling. Upskilling is the process of learning new skills to stay current and competitive in your field.

Sunday, October 1, 2023

City earns five International Economic Development Council awards - Barrie Today

The City of Barrie has been recognized by the International Economic Development Council (IEDC) for three economic development initiatives. The city’s Invest Barrie team was presented with five awards during the IEDC Annual Conference held in Dallas, Tex. The awards included:

Gold in the Partnerships with Educational Institutions category for the Rapid Skills Micro-Credentials project

Gold in the Paid Advertising Campaign category for the Invest Barrie Entrepreneurship Campaign

Silver in the Talent Development and Retention category for the Rapid Skills Micro-Credentials project

Silver in the Multimedia/Video Pro


Saturday, September 30, 2023

This major accreditation body is helping legitimize alternative credentials - Alcino Donadel, University Business

“As the largest institutional accreditor, we have directly witnessed the rapid expansion of alternative credentials and the confusion and questions about quality and return on investment that has resulted—both for colleges and universities and for learners,” says HLC President Dr. Barbara Gellman-Danley, according to a press release. The Higher Learning Commission (HLC) is launching a new initiative to tackle the proliferation of alternative credential programs as higher education embraces new business models amid a changing landscape. HLC’s Credential Lab will begin developing, testing and applying a new assurance structure for colleges and universities in order to create a framework that analyzes the quality of credentials offered by third-party providers. The HLC accredits institutions in over 19 states.

Friday, September 29, 2023

A New Campaign to End Unpaid Internships - Johanna Alonzo, Inside Higher Ed

Research by NACE shows that paid internships benefit graduates far more than unpaid ones. Now the organization is pushing for legislation to ban the latter. Unpaid internships have long faced scrutiny for their inaccessibility, especially for lower-income students who can’t afford to work for free. Now the National Association of Colleges and Employers is taking a firm stance against unpaid internships, arguing in a new campaign—called Unpaid Is Unfair—that such internships should be outlawed nationally. "Congress should pass legislation requiring internships to be paid,” the organization wrote in a position statement released Tuesday.

https://www.insidehighered.com/news/students/careers/2023/09/20/new-campaign-calls-end-unfair-unpaid-internships

Thursday, September 28, 2023

New Green Economy Investments Boost Calgary's Workforce - Mirage News

More than $143.8 million in funding under the Sectoral Workforce Solutions Program's Green Economy Stream will be allocated to nine organizations for national projects: Project name: Unlocking Canada's Green Potential: Diverse Talent to Accelerate Clean Economic Growth.  Description: The project will deliver a series of online tools, training and leadership courses, micro-credentials, certifications, mentorship opportunities and wage subsidies. The project will also promote skills assessment, training and tools to support clean economy employers, and develop justice, equity, diversity and inclusion training. It will also update labour market data, improve access and career pathways for new entrants, and recruit participants from equity-deserving groups.

Wednesday, September 27, 2023

Micro-Credentials Could Begin To Resolve the Nursing Shortage in as Little as One Month - MedCity News

Hospitals across the country are desperately struggling to find nurses. Traditional nursing programs take years of schooling with costs running to more than $100,000.   Nursing schools meanwhile compete desperately for available faculty and for clinical settings where students can practice. But the aging population and changing healthcare delivery models continue to drive demand for nurses higher.
There is a creative way to address these problems: 
  • Create new apprenticeship-style programs for nursing assistants and medical assistants with an education partner.
  • Recruit a new type of healthcare employee – often a person who is seeking to change careers to a more dynamic and higher paying field.
  • Invest in that new type of employee from day one, supporting them in their acquisition of micro-credentials that lead to higher nursing certifications and compensation.

Tuesday, September 26, 2023

Numerous PNW staff members earn inclusion microcredentials - Purdue University Northwest

Michael Lynn, left, interim chair of the departments of English and World Languages and History, Philosophy, Politics and Economics and professor of History, poses with his certificate with Aaron Bolton, regional customer service director with ACUE. A total of 88 Purdue University Northwest (PNW) academic and non-academic staff members and administrators earned microcredentials centered on cultivating inclusive and welcoming environments through the Association of College and University Educators (ACUE).  Several university business units invested in professional development opportunities for multiple faculty and staff members during summer 2023 to participate in ACUE’s “Fostering a Culture of Belonging” microcredential course.

https://www.pnw.edu/numerous-pnw-staff-members-earn-inclusion-microcredentials/

Monday, September 25, 2023

‘Micro-credentials’ give students the career skills in demand right now - MADELINE PUMARIEGA, Miami Herald

Microcredentials and their growing use in higher education are emerging as a trend that helps students quickly and securely position themselves in the new world of work. These short programs are designed to develop skills, knowledge and experience in demand, which students need to ensure their success. A report from Inside Higher Education indicates that employers recognize and value industry microcredentials: 77% already are using or actively exploring skills-based hiring to bring on a candidate who has obtained them.

Sunday, September 24, 2023

$3.4M to upskill more than 7,500 Queenslanders -The Queensland Cabinet and Ministerial Directory

17 projects have been awarded up to $250,000 each to deliver critical skills development for existing Queensland workers or jobseekers. The Palaszczuk Government has provided more than $3.4 million for the17 projects through its Micro-credentialing Program. Up to 7,525 Queenslanders will be equipped with critical and priority skills through the program. The Palaszczuk Government’s Micro-credentialing Program aims to upskill Queensland’s existing workers or job seekers by enabling the provision of training in specific skills. The Program supports industry development of specialised and targeted training that addresses gaps or emerging skills needs that are not addressed through accredited training.

https://statements.qld.gov.au/statements/98697

Saturday, September 23, 2023

University of Texas System Bets Big on Microcredentials - Lauren Coffey, Inside Higher Ed

The system, with 250,000 students, has teamed up with microcredential provider Coursera in its largest partnership yet, which will get students credentialed by tech giants including Meta, IBM and Google. The University of Texas system, spanning nine campuses with roughly 250,000 students, is expanding its partnership with microcredential provider Coursera. The initiative announced last month is Coursera’s largest, aiming to reach 30,000 students with 35 courses by 2025.

https://www.insidehighered.com/news/tech-innovation/teaching-learning/2023/09/14/university-texas-system-bets-big-microcredentials

Friday, September 22, 2023

How to design and build microcredentials in four steps - Verónica Alejandra Pérez Aguirre , et al; Times Higher Ed

A microcredential is usually a record of focused learning achievements. It should verify what a person knows or can do, include an assessment based on clearly defined quality standards, be attained in a shorter timeframe than a degree and should be granted by a trusted provider, which can be commercial entities, educational and training providers, professional bodies and more. It should hold independent value but also be able to contribute to or complement other microcredentials or macrocredentials. If you are looking to offer microcredentials at your institution, we suggest considering the following four steps. 

Thursday, September 21, 2023

Online certificate program is one of three in the nation focused on American Indian/Alaska Native health - Colorado School of Public Health

Ivanich said the required coursework focuses on the foundations of AI/AN health, social determinants of health, ethical considerations of research, and community and participatory research. Students can then choose from more than two dozen electives, from nutrition to public health administration. But the goal goes beyond giving students a piece of paper or helping them check a box on a resume, he stressed. The idea is to give them skills to address the specific needs of the communities they serve. “It’s important that what we are giving students isn’t just a credential, but something tangible,” Ivanich said. “We want to address how we can make you a better public health scholar and practitioner and make sure that you walk away with something very practical.”

Wednesday, September 20, 2023

Grow with Google - State of Oklahoma

The Grow with Google initiative is a partnership between Google and the State of Oklahoma founded in 2022 that aims to provide training, tools and expertise for greater employment opportunities in high-growth career fields. Through self-paced, online learning, participants skill up in their elected area of study and work towards certification. The State of Oklahoma partnered with Google to provide learning paths and career certifications in Digital Marketing & E-Commerce, Data Analytics, UX Design, Project Management, and IT Support. Any adult citizen of the State of Oklahoma is eligible to enroll in the program.

Tuesday, September 19, 2023

A Women’s College’s Profitable Foray Into Online Learning - Lauren Coffey, Inside Higher Ed

Spelman’s experiment with in-house certificate programs earned nearly $2 million in its first year, exceeding its expectations. The eSpelman program started out in the fall 2022, covering three certificate programs with a total of 49 learners. It served as an experiment of sorts for the historically Black women’s college to dip its toe into online education. But a deluge of interest followed, pushing Spelman to increase its program to 150 students—including Lindstrom—the following term. That jumped to 250 the term after and now sits at roughly 410 students in the current term. The program has also expanded to seven certificates, with an additional two in the works.