New Zealand universities back micro-credentials
New Zealand universities back micro-credentials as skills gap shortage grows in cybersecurity
Global IT heavyweight, Cisco, is set to lead the growing cybersecurity skills gap shortage in New Zealand with early support from the tertiary sector and industry bodies.
Research
released today, in collaboration with Victoria University of
Wellington and The University of Waikato, reveals the
successful global trend of micro-credentials being delivered
across various tertiary levels and the exciting
opportunities for New Zealand to follow suit.
To support the growing need for more cybersecurity experts, universities around the world are delivering micro-credentials through partnerships between industry and tertiary providers.
Now, this similar approach is being recognised and supported as a possible way forward for New Zealand.
“Education is ongoing in the IT world and
micro-credentials provide an excellent way to upskill in
highly specialised areas of technical knowledge, like
cybersecurity,” Victoria University of Wellington, Head of
School of Information Management, Dr Janet Toland
said.
The research drew from global and New Zealand-focused insights with interviews conducted with cybersecurity academics, career and academic advisors, professional development directors and an IT services manager.
Globally, micro-credentials are delivered
successfully through partnerships between industry providers
and tertiary institutions with a trend toward credit-bearing
postgraduate qualifications.
“It really does make
sense for New Zealand universities to partner with
organisations like Cisco to deliver these courses. We have
the educational and research expertise and they have the
state of the art technical knowledge to ensure what is
offered is exactly what employers are looking for,” Dr
Toland said.
The research reiterates the rapidly
growing need for cybersecurity specialists with industry
respondents in support of developing a system that will help
fill that skills gap shortage.
Currently there are 226
employers in New Zealand and across the globe searching for
educated candidates on Cisco’s Talent Bridge Matching
Engine, and over 3,500 open opportunities.
The
matching engine is a free tool designed to help businesses
find and hire the right talent, with new employers and job
opportunities posted daily.
Micro-credentials are
likely to become increasingly valuable to tertiary students,
Dr Toland said. “They enable students to quickly upskill
in the areas that are most immediately relevant to their
careers.
“At the moment there is a lot of interest
at the postgraduate level. Mature students appreciate being
able to access education in “bite sized chunks” to fit
in with their busy lifestyles.”
As a leader in cybersecurity, Cisco are working to see this positioned as a national priority.
“This research has reaffirmed the significance of developing an approach that will support areas of national importance, like cybersecurity. Our vision is to work alongside government and education providers to help meet those skills shortages and the challenges facing the growing digital economy,” Cisco New Zealand, Country Director, Dave Wilson said.
Cisco’s commitment to
education and skill development in this area remains central
to its operations. This year Cisco celebrated the 20th
anniversary of its Networking Academy - an IT skills and
career building program available to learning institutions
and individuals worldwide.
The program has reached
9.26 million students in 190 countries across the globe. In
New Zealand, the Cisco Networking Academy has partnered with
colleges, universities, vocational schools, public sector
and nonprofits across the country and has enabled over
27,600 students to gain access to industry-relevant ICT
skills.
“In an increasingly digital economy, there
is unprecedented global demand for cybersecurity knowledge
and skills. The Cisco Networking Academy’s Cybersecurity
courses help to upskill individuals to build the workforce
of tomorrow,” Mr Wilson said.
Over 490 students in
New Zealand have undertaken Cisco cybersecurity courses to
date.
Research insights in brief:
There is a growing need for more cybersecurity experts globally and in New Zealand
There is local support in developing a
programme that will help fill skills shortages in
cybersecurity
New Zealand industry and tertiary
leaders support the future delivery of micro-credentials in
partnership with an expert provider [like
Cisco]
Universities across the world are delivering
micro-credentials successfully through industry and tertiary
partnerships
Globally, micro-credentials are being
delivered with a trend towards credit-bearing
qualifications
-ENDS-