Adapting education to cater to new technology industries
Technology is evolving rapidly, causing disruption and accelerating changes in processes across industries. With these shifts in norms comes a simultaneous change in the high-value skills that employers look for in current and future employees. New technology-driven innovations such as machine learning (ML), artificial intelligence (AI), and virtual reality (VR), are making their way into the ed-tech space to cater to this demand.
To put things in perspective, let’s take emerging technologies like blockchain and cryptocurrency. While they are growing, a vast majority of people still don’t really understand what they are. A case in point is a recent study that found that 98% of people surveyed across the US, Brazil, and Mexico don’t understand the basic concepts of crypto.
Online learning platforms can capitalise on this gap in comprehension as an opportunity to design courses centred on new technology-led industries. This article will cover the topics you can consider offering to help equip employees with skills useful in the current job market.
Which new technology courses are in demand?
You can offer different courses on e-learning platforms to make several key topics more accessible to job-seekers and those looking to learn new skills. Here are our top picks:
Cryptocurrency and blockchain
The global crypto market is worth over a trillion dollars. So It’s safe to say that being adept in the workings of this novel currency can benefit both individuals and working professionals. Blockchain developers command high salaries and are considered one of the most in-demand niche roles in the tech sector. The average annual salary for a blockchain developer in the UK stands at $50,000 to $90,000.
The rise of crypto has given birth to many startups in the industry, making individuals, governments, and educational institutes take a closer look at this unique asset class.
Many of the finest universities in the world have introduced blockchain-related courses. Harvard University in the US has created an online course titled “Breakthrough Innovation with Blockchain Technology”, besides launching an incubator program called Crypto 101. Cornell University, likewise, offers several crypto courses, including Cryptocurrencies and Ledgers, Applications of Blockchain Technology, and Introductions to Blockchains, Cryptocurrencies, and Smart Contracts.
Cyber security
As global connectivity increases and individuals and corporations are growing increasingly dependent on cloud services, the risk of cyber-attacks and data breaches is on the rise. According to the Allianz Risk Barometer, cyber incidents are the biggest concern for companies globally and represent a much bigger threat than supply chain disruptions and natural disasters.
Cybercriminals are becoming more sophisticated, and simply using antivirus software and firewalls is not enough to protect sensitive information from attacks. A single data breach can lead to millions of people losing access to their data and hurting the revenue and reputation of companies and organisations. So companies are actively looking to hire experts who can safeguard their digital assets and protect their operations from hackers.
According to the Occupational Outlook Handbook compiled by the US Bureau of Labor Statistics, the average salary of information security analysts comes to $102,600 annually. Employment for this role is projected to grow 35% by 2023, faster than the average of all other occupations. Moreover, employers are likely to prefer hiring individuals with professional certifications on the subject, making information security an extremely attractive topic for ed-tech platforms to offer courses on.
Many universities across the world have introduced dedicated programs designed to help students understand the legal, social, ethical, and professional aspects of cybersecurity and provide them with the critical skills necessary to thrive in the industry. Popular cyber security programs include MSc in Applied Cyber Security at Queen’s University, Belfast, and MSc in Advanced Cyber Security at King’s College, London. That being said, formal education is still playing catchup with industry, meaning that there are many opportunities for developing cyber security training around emerging technologies.
Machine learning
Machine learning (ML) is the branch of artificial intelligence (AI) devoted to giving computers the capability to ‘learn’ without explicit programming. It essentially allows machines to use past data to become better at predicting outcomes. Professional certification in AI or ML can set an individual up for success in the IT industry. The average entry-level pay for AI and ML engineers in the UK comes to an attractive £52,000 per annum.
Marshall Choy, Senior Vice President of Product at SambaNova Systems, an AI innovation company, cites a “tremendous demand” for machine learning engineers. He goes on to add, “as far as I can see, there is no end to that demand spike that we’re seeing.” The growing complexity of the field, the increasing accessibility to machine learning tools, and the rise in real-life applications of the technology are driving the demand for machine learning engineers.
Machine learning is a vast and constantly evolving subject with abundant opportunities. Courses on machine learning equip professionals with the knowledge to design information-driven solutions for today’s problems and develop suitable management frameworks for future challenges. Renowned education institutes, such as the University of Arizona in the US offer Master’s Degrees in Machine Learning to help working individuals improve their employability.
Create effective online courses with Learnium
As our dependence on technology deepens, the need for employees with expertise in new technologies such as cryptocurrency, artificial intelligence, and cyber security will rise exponentially. To help professionals meet this demand, you can offer thorough and well-structured online courses that will let them upskill and build their portfolios.
Partner with Learnium to create content for online training programmes. We are here to help you design instructional materials for organisations, membership groups, and educational establishments. At Learnium, we have years of experience in the digital education industry and are equipped to help you build engaging, interactive, and effective content for online learning experiences.
Our experts can assist in adapting your current course content for mobile learning so students can study whenever and wherever they want. We also specialise in converting scattered digital resources into cohesive courses on the most in-demand topics.