How to Compete for Your Alumni Upskilling Business
January 29, 2021
Alumni are looking to continue their learning journey well after graduation. Even after students finish their degrees, there are still plenty of things they would like to or need to learn to keep a competitive edge. Although many students pursue an advanced degree, others want to continue learning in a less demanding and time-intensive setting. Often, alumni want programs they can take in a self-paced format that can fit into their already busy schedules.
Offering alumni the option to return to their alma mater virtually to take upskilling courses is a crucial need at this time! “Sixty-one percent of people believe that global megatrends greatly affect their jobs and will continue to do so. As a result, many devote significant time to refining their skills. The vast majority are also willing to learn new skills to become attractive candidates for...jobs” [1]. Allowing alumni to return to their alma mater to upskill through micro-courses and certificates helps the school financially capitalize on the learning market’s needs and benefits alumni. Alumni trust their school to deliver valuable and rich knowledge to support their upskilling goals and save valuable time and money by taking a course that meets their standards and fulfills their needs.
Learning new skills can help with job searches and career transitions. Often, college alumni want to expand a skill set they already have or add to the skills they learned during college [2]. This process of upskilling by learning new skills adds value to their job search. Post-graduate certifications provide higher earning potential and a competitive edge in the job market. It also helps fill in any skill gaps that might exist for graduates.
With further impacts on the job market by the COVID-19 pandemic, alumni need to upskill sooner rather than later. The World Economic Forum projects that 54% of employees will need reskilling and upskilling by 2022 to keep up with the speed of a changing technological workspace [3]. Recent graduates often bear the brunt of job cuts since, as the saying goes, ‘the last one in is the first one out.’ In April of 2020, 27.4% of 15 to 24 year olds were unemployed [4]. Many recent grads find themselves re-entering the job market sooner than anticipated and needing to upskill to set themselves apart in such a competitive market.
How to Engage Your Alumni In Lifelong Learning & Upskilling
The benefits of upskilling and lifelong learning are clear. It helps keep alumni at the forefront of their field well past their graduation date, and it allows them to stay sharper, longer. Universities should provide certificates and micro-courses to their alumni because there is a void in the market with a substantial financial benefit if adequately addressed.
Getting your alumni enrolled in programs is key. Traditional degree tracks can take time and carry a hefty expense. Positioning your institution to provide hyper-focused certificates and micro-courses helps alumni see that they can add this value to their life without overwhelming monetary and time commitments.
It’s important to offer programs that flex around alumni needs and provide easy access. Using an online learning platform to deliver these courses to your alumni is the best way to do this. Tried and true design and content, custom branded to your university, provides clear, concise, and effective courses with a high retention rate. These credentials provide a mastery of a specific topic and a deep understanding that give your alumni an edge over other job applicants.
Amesite Offers a Single, Easy to Use, Scalable Solution
Get micro-courses, and certificate programs launched quickly and easily with Amesite’s scalable solutions. Universities have complete control over the courses they offer. Customizable certificates and micro-courses allow you to pick and choose what programs to offer. We have subject matter experts who design innovative courses that provide excellent value to your alumni. A host of self-paced, highly engaging, and intuitive courses can be ready for your alumni in as little as 30 days.
Amesite’s system uses established social media formats to help learners access the content in a familiar setting. These mechanisms streamline the learning process for your alumni. They can access the course and get to learning without wasting time figuring out a new system. Amesite’s platform also gives users the experience of learning with a community, a valuable addition to the online education experience. Connecting virtually to their instructor and other students enhances the experience — and solidifies learning.
With Amesite, you can drive revenue for your institution while providing your alumni with excellent resources for learning and upskilling. Certificates and credentials that come from your brand inspire confidence from your alumni and their potential employers. It solidifies their commitment to your institution and their lifelong learning.
