409 Driving Student Employability with Corporate-Sponsored Badging Programs
10:45 AM - 11:45 AM Thursday, October 26
Games and Gamification
Montego B
U.S. News and World Report named alternative credentials one of the top five education trends to watch in 2017. IBM and Microsoft are leading this trend by offering career-oriented training and learning pathways, as an alternative to traditional universities and in partnership with universities worldwide. Learners who demonstrate knowledge and competency earn open badges that are easily shared to job sites and professional networks like LinkedIn.
In this session, you will discover how IBM and Microsoft use multiple channels to distribute state-of-the-art, work-focused programs that complement and connect with academic institutions to provide training for in-demand skills. You’ll learn about the types of badges that drive learner engagement, progression of learning, and employment opportunities. You’ll find out how real-time verification of learning achievements cements badge value for learners and employers, while exploring how competencies identified in badges are enhancing employability for learners.
In this session, you will learn:
- How companies like IBM and Microsoft are connecting with academic institutions to provide training for in-demand skills
- Which types of badges drive learner engagement, progression of learning, and employment opportunities
- How organizations use badge program performance data to quantify learner engagement, inform learning program design, and drive strategy
Audience:
Novice to advanced directors and senior leaders (VP, CLO, executive,
etc.). A working knowledge of (or interest in) the development of work-ready
skills and alternative credentials is helpful but not required.
Technology
discussed in this session:
Digital open badge platforms, learning
management systems (LMSs), strategic information systems (SISs), association
management systems (AMSs), and customer relationship management (CRM) systems.
Pete Janzow
Sr. Director and Badge Lead
Pearson
Pete Janzow is senior director of business development in support of the enterprise-class badging platform Acclaim at Pearson. With a keen interest in STEM education, Pete continues to work actively in the fields of workforce development, professional credentialing, and technical education. He is a former director of the American Society for Engineering Education, and has diverse work experience that includes working in higher education and professional segments for publishing companies, ed tech startups, and software companies.
David Leaser
Senior Program Manager, Innovation and Growth Initiatives
IBM
David Leaser is senior program manager of innovation and growth initiatives for the Global Skills Initiative program at IBM. David developed IBM’s first cloud-based learning solution and is the program developer for the IBM Open Badge Program, a leading-edge program to attract, engage, and progress talent. David is the author of a number of thought-leadership white papers on talent development, including Migrating Minds and The Social Imperative in Workforce Development. He has trained more than 4,000 clients and developed more than 30 training manuals and video tutorials.
Selina Winter
Sr. Business Program Manager—Certification
Microsoft Learning
Selina Winter is the senior business program manager—certification for Microsoft Learning. She is responsible for designing Microsoft’s technical certification programs, including Microsoft Certified Professional (MCP), which is comprised of the MCSA, MCSE, and MCSD credentials, Microsoft Office Specialist (MOS), and Microsoft Technology Associate (MTA). Her work ensures that Microsoft certification programs deliver what candidates, schools, and corporations need while maintaining an industry-leading position for both quality and innovation. Modernizing certification at Microsoft is a key focus of her current work and includes such activities as working to more closely align training and certification opportunities, developing real-time learning and certification options, and implementing and managing Microsoft’s certification badging program.