IBM Partners with Community Colleges to Launch Cybersecurity and Data Analytics Certificates
IBM has unveiled a new partnership with several community college systems to offer training programs in cybersecurity and data analytics, aimed at equipping students with the skills needed for high-tech careers. Starting this fall, these certificate programs will be available across the Alabama Community College System, the Bay Area Community College Consortium, the Colorado Community College System, and the Louisiana Community and Technical College System.
As AI tools become increasingly integral to various industries, the demand for cybersecurity and data analytics expertise is on the rise. A study by the IBM Institute of Business Value indicates that AI and automation will necessitate reskilling 40% of the workforce within the next three years, especially in entry-level roles.
Lydia Logan, IBM's Vice President for Global Education and Workforce Development, emphasized the importance of community colleges in cultivating essential tech skills. She noted that these new credentials will help learners develop the in-demand skills that employers are seeking in the evolving AI-driven workplace.
Designed by experts from both academia and industry, the certificates are intended to be accessible to a diverse group of learners preparing for careers such as information security analyst, network security technician, data visualization specialist, and entry-level marketing analyst.
These certificate programs will be open to first-time degree seekers as well as current workers looking to upskill or switch careers. Applicants are eligible with a high school diploma, GED, associate degree, or a bachelor’s degree in a non-technical field. Each program consists of 60-65 hours of coursework, which can be integrated into a community college curriculum. The American Council on Education has recommended awarding 12 credits for completing the IBM SkillsBuild Cybersecurity Certificate and 8 credits for the IBM SkillsBuild Data Analytics Certificate.
The cybersecurity certificate covers topics such as governance, risk, compliance and data privacy, vulnerability management, system and network security, cloud security, security operations management, and incident response and forensics. The data analytics certificate includes courses on data classification, data usability, inferential and descriptive statistics, data collection and analysis, data preparation, and data visualization.
Students will also have access to over 1,000 additional IBM SkillsBuild courses and credentials, including topics in AI, sustainability, cloud computing, and workplace skills. The new certificates were successfully piloted in Alabama, Colorado, California, and Louisiana in 2023.
IBM's collaboration with community colleges is part of its "skills-first" strategy, which aligns with its 2021 pledge to equip 30 million people with the skills needed for future jobs by 2030.
As AI tools become increasingly integral to various industries, the demand for cybersecurity and data analytics expertise is on the rise. A study by the IBM Institute of Business Value indicates that AI and automation will necessitate reskilling 40% of the workforce within the next three years, especially in entry-level roles.
Lydia Logan, IBM's Vice President for Global Education and Workforce Development, emphasized the importance of community colleges in cultivating essential tech skills. She noted that these new credentials will help learners develop the in-demand skills that employers are seeking in the evolving AI-driven workplace.
Designed by experts from both academia and industry, the certificates are intended to be accessible to a diverse group of learners preparing for careers such as information security analyst, network security technician, data visualization specialist, and entry-level marketing analyst.
These certificate programs will be open to first-time degree seekers as well as current workers looking to upskill or switch careers. Applicants are eligible with a high school diploma, GED, associate degree, or a bachelor’s degree in a non-technical field. Each program consists of 60-65 hours of coursework, which can be integrated into a community college curriculum. The American Council on Education has recommended awarding 12 credits for completing the IBM SkillsBuild Cybersecurity Certificate and 8 credits for the IBM SkillsBuild Data Analytics Certificate.
The cybersecurity certificate covers topics such as governance, risk, compliance and data privacy, vulnerability management, system and network security, cloud security, security operations management, and incident response and forensics. The data analytics certificate includes courses on data classification, data usability, inferential and descriptive statistics, data collection and analysis, data preparation, and data visualization.
Students will also have access to over 1,000 additional IBM SkillsBuild courses and credentials, including topics in AI, sustainability, cloud computing, and workplace skills. The new certificates were successfully piloted in Alabama, Colorado, California, and Louisiana in 2023.
IBM's collaboration with community colleges is part of its "skills-first" strategy, which aligns with its 2021 pledge to equip 30 million people with the skills needed for future jobs by 2030.
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