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COLORADO — IBM (NYSE: IBM ) today unveiled two new IBM SkillsBuild certificates in cybersecurity and data analytics, which have been piloted and designed with community colleges. These new IBM SkillsBuild certificates will be available to students across the Alabama Community College System, Bay Area Community College Consortium, Colorado Community College System, and Louisiana Community and Technical College System this fall.
Cybersecurity and data analytics skills are essential for artificial intelligence (AI) innovation, enabling professionals to extract insights, secure critical information, drive informed decisions, and create value across industries in an increasingly data-centric and security-conscious 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. This underscores the importance of creating public-private partnerships to help close the skills gap.
“Community colleges play a critical role in advancing the adoption of essential technology skills for the workforce,” said Lydia Logan, Vice President for Global Education and Workforce Development, 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.”
The certificates are designed to meet the needs of learners and have been developed with academic and industry experts. Community college programs can integrate them into existing curriculums for students to earn credits.
Designed to meet the needs of learners: These certificates are accessible for first-time degree seekers, upskillers, or career changers who hold a high school degree or GED, associate degree, or a bachelor’s degree in a non-technical field. Self-paced, experiential learning across all levels helps effectively prepare learners for potential job opportunities such as junior information security analyst, network security technician, data visualization specialist, and entry-level marketing analyst.Developed together with academic and industry experts: Jobs for the Future (JFF) and a coalition of industry experts contributed to and validated the new competency-based IBM SkillsBuild certificates to align coursework and learnings with current employer demand as well as trends and expectations in the market to maximize job opportunities for students upon completion. The experts included representatives from employers including banks and tech firms, as well as schools and education nonprofits nationwide.Integrate into existing community college programs for college credits: Each certificate learning plan is 60-65 hours in length and can be integrated into a community college’s curriculum. The American Council on Education (ACE) has conducted a Learning Evaluation Review of the certificates and recommends 12 credits for completion of the IBM SkillsBuild Cybersecurity Certificate and 8 credits for the IBM SkillsBuild Data Analytics Certificate. The coursework also aligns with CompTIA SEC+ certification topics and skills and is recognized by potential employers.
The new certificates from IBM SkillsBuild require completion of the following courses:
IBM SkillsBuild Cybersecurity Certificate: governance, risk, compliance and data privacy, vulnerability management, system and network security, cloud security, security operations management, and incident response and system forensics.
IBM SkillsBuild Data Analytics Certificate: data classification, data usability for organizations, inferential and descriptive statistics, data collection and analysis, data preparation for analysis, and data visualization and presentation.
Additionally, students will have access to IBM SkillsBuild including other credentials and more than 1,000 free courses such as AI, sustainability, cybersecurity, data analytics, cloud computing, and workplace skills.
The new certificates were piloted successfully with students in Alabama, Colorado, California, and Louisiana in 2023.
“Alabama community college worked with IBM to pilot the Cybersecurity Certificate because of the strong need for entry-level competency-based credentials that help students start on a pathway for an IT career,” said Dr. Courtney Monette, Special Programs Project Director, Alabama Community College System. “In 2021, Alabama adopted a skills-based workforce training program called Mobilizing Alabama Pathways, or MAPs, that allows new and returning adult education and career pathway students an opportunity to earn a credential like the IBM SkillsBuild Cybersecurity or Data Analytics Certificate; thus building confidence and basic employability skills for all high demand high wage career clusters.”
“Using the IBM SkillsBuild Cybersecurity credential for my two community education Cybersecurity Fundamentals courses that I piloted at Diablo Valley College during last fall and spring semesters, proved to be a rewarding experience for the student participants, for me, and for the college,” said Richard Grotegut, Computer Network Technology Faculty at Diablo Valley College, part of the Contra Costa Community College District and a member of the Bay Area Community College Consortium. “It confirmed the college’s decision to offer the course as part of their academic offerings beginning this coming school year. The credential proved to be a very good entry-level introduction to cybersecurity. While most of the participants enhanced their academic credentials and are pursuing further study, several of the course “career-changers” used their success in the class to gain employment in technical support positions with local companies. The rich course content and approach, with a strong focus on oral and written communication skills, was a key factor in building the confidence that helped the students land those jobs.”
“Front Range Community College is thrilled to have been selected as one of four colleges nationally to collaborate in designing and launching the new IBM SkillsBuild data analytics credential,” said Colleen Simpson, EdD, Front Range Community College President. “This collaboration with renowned technology leader IBM provides our students the opportunity to develop critical skill sets in this rapidly growing field.”
“Baton Rouge Community College was excited to work with IBM in piloting this initiative last year,” said BRCC Chancellor Dr. Willie E. Smith. “We look forward to continuing this collaboration and working with IBM to expand the initiative and offer it to Louisiana citizens through the Louisiana Community and Technical College System. Through this collaboration, we are demonstrating a commitment to equipping our residents with the skills and practical experience required to excel in the high demand fields of cybersecurity and data analytics. Together, we are paving the way for Louisiana to emerge as a national leader in these rapidly growing sectors, ensuring our talent is prepared to navigate the challenges and seize the opportunities of the future.”
“In an increasingly dynamic economy shaped by fast-evolving technology, employers, learners, and workers need nimble and trusted ways to acquire and validate skills that will lead to quality jobs of the future,” said Joel Vargas, Vice President of JFF’s Education Practice. “JFF is proud to work with IBM and these innovative colleges to lead the charge on creating scalable solutions to meet this growing need.”
IBM’s work with community colleges is an important component of the company’s pioneering skills-first approach and part of IBM’s commitment to providing 30 million people with new skills needed for the jobs of tomorrow by 2030.
About IBM SkillsBuild
IBM SkillsBuild is a free education program aimed at increasing access to technology education. Through the program, IBM supports adult learners, and high school and university students and faculty, to develop valuable new skills and access career opportunities. The program includes an online platform that is complemented by customized practical learning experiences delivered in collaboration with a global network of partners.
The open version of IBM SkillsBuild is an online platform offering over 1,000 courses in 20 languages on AI, sustainability, cybersecurity, data analysis, cloud computing, and many other technical disciplines — as well as in workplace skills such as design thinking. Participants can earn IBM-branded digital credentials that are recognized by the market.
The enhanced version of IBM SkillsBuild may also include workshops, expert conversations with IBM coaches and mentors, project-based learning, access to IBM software, specialized support from partners through the learning process, and connection to career opportunities. Visit skillsbuild.org to learn more.
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In a release from Saturday morning, Governor Jared Polis announced that the Canadian National Flag will be raised at the State Capitol to celebrate March 15 as Colorado Canada Friendship Day.

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Great Learning, a global leader in higher education and professional training, has released its Career Progression Report 2024-25, offering an in-depth analysis of the long-term impact of upskilling on career growth. The report draws insights from a comprehensive survey of randomly selected 1,000 alumni from Great Learning’s AI, Data Science, and Machine Learning programs, covering professionals at various career stages, from early-career to senior leaders. It highlights how continuous learning drives sustained career advancement, helping professionals achieve leadership roles, salary increases, and greater employability.
80% of professionals experience a positive career shift post-upskilling in AI/ML and Data Science programs
 
The report further reinforces the impact of upskilling on advancing the careers of professionals across levels, with 80% reporting positive career shifts, including promotions, salary increases, or successful career transitions over time, post-upskilling in high-value domains like AI/ML and Data Science. Looking at a shorter time frame of 2 years post-upskilling, 74% of professionals received a promotion or transitioned to new roles, among which 69% successfully moved into new roles either within their current organization or with a new employer, while 31% reported significant enhancements in their existing roles.
Leadership Roles Double Post-Upskilling

The transformative impact of upskilling is evident in the career trajectory of professionals, with 2 in 3 moving up the career ladder. Many professionals who began as individual contributors have successfully transitioned into leadership or team management positions post upskilling.
The study also revealed that post upskilling, the number of professionals in leadership roles doubled, and team management positions grew by 80%. This growth reflects how acquiring skills in Data Science, AI, and ML is enabling professionals to transition into managerial and strategic leadership roles, empowering them to navigate and lead teams effectively in a technology-driven dynamic environment.
Professionals see an Average 65% Salary Hike Post Upskilling
 
The report found that professionals in the early stages of their careers, typically with 0-3 years of experience, are experiencing remarkable growth with an average salary hike of 139%. For professionals in their mid-career stages, with 3-8 years of experience, the increase remains substantial at 93%. Similarly, for mid-to-senior professionals, with 8-12 years of experience, the average salary hike received is around 50%, and for senior professionals with over 12 years of experience, the average is 41%.
 
Professionals want to stay relevant/transition careers among tech disruption: key motivators to upskill

Career transition emerged as a key motivator, with 60% of professionals pursuing upskilling to either shift into new roles or remain relevant in their fields. Among these, 65% were early- to mid-career professionals, using upskilling as a strategic path to better career outcomes. 22% of professionals pursued upskilling driven by a personal interest in emerging domains such as Data Science and AI. Only 13% of professionals upskilled to enhance salary potential, indicating a larger shift towards learners prioritising securing roles in high-demand domains over the allure of short-term salary hikes. These insights indicate that professionals are increasingly prioritizing career security and long-term growth over immediate salary hikes​.
 
 
 
 
Commenting on the report, Hari Krishnan Nair, Co-Founder of Great Learning, said, “Upskilling is a powerful tool for creating impactful career milestones and is no longer an alternative. It has enabled professionals to switch careers, get into managerial and leadership roles, and reap financial gains from their career growth. While short-term gains are important, the real benefit of upskilling compounds over time, turning professionals into experts and sought after industry leaders.
 
Learners who invested time and effort in upskilling in the last few years are the ones who will gain the most as hiring activity recovers. As businesses increasingly invest in AI across their businesses, professionals who upskill to drive this wave will be in high demand. The report’s findings are a testament to why professionals should take charge of their career growth and view upskilling not just as a choice but as a lifelong strategy for success.”
The study further reveals that investing in upskilling (particularly in high-growth domains like Data Science, Artificial Intelligence, and Machine Learning) yields immediate practical benefits, with 72% of alumni actively applying their newly acquired skills in their current roles. Beyond technical capabilities, 82% of professionals reported increased confidence in navigating the evolving job market after completing their programs. As organizations prioritize digital transformation, professionals who upskilled two or three years ago are now reaping the benefits, positioning themselves as invaluable assets in a competitive job market.
 
About Great Learning
Great Learning is a leading global EdTech company for professional learning and higher education. It offers comprehensive, industry-relevant, hands-on learning programs across various business, technology, and interdisciplinary domains driving the digital economy. These programs are developed and offered in collaboration with the world’s foremost academic institutions in various formats, including certificate programs, diplomas and degrees. The Great Learning platform enables the highly qualified, world-class faculty at these universities, together with its vast network of 7600+ industry expert mentors, to deliver an unmatched learning experience for over 12 million learners from over 170 countries around the world.
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