Arming the Future Workforce with a Skills-First Approach

Higher education is increasingly focused on providing students with the skills they need to become part of a rapidly changing workforce. Companies across the globe are leveraging new technologies such as automation and AI to drive growth and remain competitive. In order for students to enter into the revolutionized workforce of tomorrow on the right foot, they must develop the skills necessary to compliment new workforce standards and initiatives. Higher education institutions have a crucial role to play in providing young adults with training opportunities that can prepare them for success now and into the future.

How can higher education institutions begin to take on this jarring task? Universities and colleges are shifting towards a skills-first approach, offering more practical courses that focus on preparing students for successful careers. This shift emphasizes the importance of developing real-world abilities in order to stand out in the job market. Microcredentials are becoming a popular way for students to visibly display the skills they have developed in their higher education journey. Rather than traditional degrees, microcredentials are individual courses taken by a student that certify their knowledge and abilities within an area of study. These can range from business analytics to data science, making them applicable to multiple sectors and career paths. Microcredentials provide a more granular focus on the topics that are relevant to a specific field, allowing students to demonstrate their expertise in an area of interest.

Furthermore, microcredentials can often be obtained in a shorter time frame than traditional degrees, meaning that students can quickly equip themselves with the skills they need to succeed in their chosen field. By distinguishing themselves through these credentials, students are better able to demonstrate their knowledge and value to potential employers. This is a key factor in driving the shift towards a skills-first approach within higher education, as it gives students an edge when entering the job market.

At each stage of learning, it is increasingly important for students to develop and refine the skills necessary to succeed in a rapidly changing future. New technologies and approaches are providing opportunities to equip the future generations of work with the tools they will need down the road! To discover how procurement departments can remain competitive and gain access the latest equipment and technology using cost-effective equipment finance solutions, please contact info@coretechleasing.com to begin exploring your options!