By Newsroom Staff
LISLE, Ill. – October 15, 2024 – The high volume of data analytics stemming from artificial intelligence (AI) continues to shift business and societal norms, disrupting many traditional jobs while also creating new ones. Given this landscape, DeVry University partnered with an independent research firm to survey more than 1,500 U.S. employees and over 500 U.S. employers to learn about current approaches to training and skill building, including in AI.
While more than half of employers acknowledge they hold responsibility for upskilling related to AI, 42% say they are not confident that their organization understands how to effectively train workers on the technology. Initiating these types of training programs can be intimidating for employers, especially when navigating the current acceleration of AI and varying employee skills, across levels. This presents a unique opportunity for higher education institutions to make learning more accessible and relevant for employers so they can keep pace and ensure their workers are using AI responsibly.
Creating Personalized and Flexible Learning Pathways
While nearly three in four workers agree that investing in education will help them advance their careers, colleges and universities can offer more personalized, flexible and accessible pathways to help them achieve this goal. In addition, academic institutions should ensure that learning pathways are anchored by education that addresses real skills gaps and industry needs, including the need for effective AI training.
"Upskilling and reskilling should not only be tailored to each employer's skills needs but it should also be tailored in a way that meets workers where they are and where they want to go in their careers," said Shantanu Bose, Ph.D., provost and chief academic officer at DeVry. "Educators should cater to a diverse set of individuals by providing a range of learning pathways, including traditional degrees, short-form courses and certificates for specific skills."
Part of creating personalized learning pathways also includes offering flexibility, which is fundamental to ensuring ongoing access to education. This ensures that individuals have ample bandwidth to invest in themselves amid other priorities and responsibilities.
"Institutions should make certain that any professional, no matter their skill set or schedule, can easily pursue upskilling and reskilling opportunities that accommodate their shifting career aspirations, life situations and work experience," Bose noted. "Technology plays a key role in this with online and hybrid courses allowing professionals to learn on their own time and at their own pace."
In addition to offering hybrid learning formats, there are other approaches educators can take to ensure adult learners remain engaged in continuing education. This includes offering curricula that is highly relevant for their current or desired roles and by integrating activities that involve experiential, hands-on learning opportunities.
Developing a Qualified Workforce
Notably, the survey found that 60% of employers believe AI advancement is leaving some workers behind and making their skills outdated. While higher education institutions have been focused on several other challenges related to AI, the data underscores a need for the industry to lean in and foster the development of a skilled workforce as the job market continues to shift and AI becomes more prominent.
"Educators have a unique role to play by ensuring employers aren't being left alone when it comes to training their teams in an AI era," Bose said. "Universities should be working side-by-side with employers to develop the talent that's essential to succeed in the future, tech-focused environment, before and after an individual enters the workforce."
Academic institutions and businesses should maintain strong partnerships to align skills-based education with changing workforce and industry requirements, including use of AI. This proactive approach ensures that talent is well-prepared to embrace the new technology-centric landscape and that higher education meets the economy's future demands. As a result, learners will have the skills they need to excel going forward, while organizations will be equipped with the workforce they need to innovate and remain competitive.
"Creating a qualified workforce now requires more than traditional degrees given how rapidly technology continues to change," Bose added. "Higher education and corporate America are at a pivotal moment that calls for more collaboration and intentional skills development from both parties."
DeVry operates with a specific purpose: to help learners at any stage in their academic journey and to prepare them for thriving careers in an economy transformed by technology. To learn more about how DeVry is working to help learners advance their skills in AI, visit devry.edu.
