AI Upskilling: IBM Launches Cyber & Data Analytics Programme

As AI continues to be implemented across various key industries worldwide, businesses are scrambling to develop robust future-proof strategies.

Part of this challenge lies with the workforce. Currently, more than half of companies lack AI innovation skills, with research from SoftwareOne also indicating that 97% of companies are looking to prioritise upskilling their workforce.

With this in mind, companies are being advised to adopt a skills-first approach to hiring in order to address crucial business needs moving forward. In response, tech giant IBM has announced its collaboration with several community college systems to offer tech training to students that will prepare them for jobs. 

The offering will be extended to several US locations, including Alabama, California Bay Area, Colorado and Louisiana, with the courses becoming available later in 2024 as part of IBM’s SkillsBuild offering.

The importance of skills-building for tech business success 

IBM SkillsBuild is a free education programme aimed at increasing access to technology education. The tech giant supports adult learners, high school and university students through the programme to develop valuable new skills and access greater career opportunities. 

The online platform offers more than 1,000 courses in 20 languages on AI, sustainability, cybersecurity, data analysis and cloud computing, among other disciplines. 

It has been a successful programme for IBM so far, with the company championing women and girls through technology training opportunities in APAC in June 2024. These initiatives are part of IBM’s pledge to skill 30 million people by 2030.

Cybersecurity and data analytics skills are becoming more essential, particularly as businesses seek to innovate with AI further. Professionals working within these industries aim to extract insights, secure critical information, drive informed decisions and create value across industries in an increasingly data-driven and security-focused world. 

According to a global study conducted by IBM Institute of Business Value, executives estimate that implementing AI and automation will require 40% of their workforce to reskill over the next three years, mostly those in entry-level positions. According to IBM, this emphasises the importance of creating public-private partnerships to help close the skills gap.

AI education could mitigate the tech skills gap

The SkillsBuild certificates are designed to meet the needs of learners and have been developed with academic and industry experts that partner with IBM. As a result, community college programmes can integrate them easily into existing curriculums for students to earn credits.

Developed together with academic and industry experts: Jobs for the Future (JFF) and a coalition of industry experts validated the new competency-based IBM SkillsBuild certificates to align coursework and learnings with current employer demand. This also takes into consideration market trends and expectations to maximise job opportunities for students upon completion. 

Enterprise cybersecurity resiliency is now more important than ever, with organisations seeking to not only advance their productivity, but protect their operations.

“Community colleges play a critical role in advancing the adoption of essential technology skills for the workforce,” comments Lydia Logan, Vice President for Global Education and Workforce Development at IBM Corporate Social Responsibility. “With these new credentials, IBM is helping learners gain the in-demand skills employers are seeking in a new AI-enabled workplace.”

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