Skills are the new currency in today’s job market, and higher education is taking note

In the ever-evolving landscape of education and employment, it's no secret that college students and graduates—regardless of their line of study—can benefit not only from their degrees, but also from certifications and credentials that validate their technical skill sets. As the workforce continues to adapt to the rapid advancements in technology, skills and real-world experience are becoming even more critical in the job market. The Cengage Group 2023 Graduate Employability Report echoes this paradigm shift, with employers emphasizing skills-based training, credentials that prove these skills, and practical experience.

For students, whether you're working toward a college degree or exploring your options in the workforce, a focus on building in-demand skills is key for enhancing your skill set and résumé. Microsoft Learn for Educators has extensive resources that can help faculty members support these skill-building goals by preparing students and graduates to earn Microsoft Certifications and Applied Skills credentials. And for all job seekers, Microsoft Learn offers training, certification, and credential opportunities that can help open career doors.

As a faculty member at the University of Washington and as the Director of Future Skills at Microsoft, Dr. Rachel Wortman Morris has witnessed firsthand the profound impact of these changes in both the marketplace and academia. She points out that this shift in how employers evaluate the skill sets of students and other candidates as they enter the job market is a clear sign that the rules of the game are changing.

This transformation became even more evident to Rachel during her participation in the recent LinkedIn Talent Connect 2023 summit in New York. The focus of the summit was "Let's make change work for you," and it brought together leaders and experts to discuss the significant changes that industries are experiencing today. The dominant topics in these discussions were skills and AI, reflecting the ever-increasing importance of technological proficiency in the job market—across all roles and industries.

Rachel was an invited speaker on a panel that delved into the experiences and perspectives of industry leaders. She observes, “What’s clear is that companies are investing considerable effort and resources into a skills-based approach to hiring and talent development. In this changing landscape, technology companies like Microsoft can play a crucial role in bridging the gap between the skills demanded by the job market and the curricula needed to prepare students for the challenges of today and tomorrow.”

The Microsoft Learn for Educators program empowers higher education institutions and faculty with a comprehensive suite of tools and resources that facilitate technical skills instruction aligned with industry-recognized Microsoft Certifications. By supplementing students’ existing degree programs with sought-after skills, certifications, and credentials, higher education institutions and their faculty can equip students for real-world success. Notably, these skills and credentials align with students’ interests, since 86 percent of them believe that an industry certificate can set them apart when they graduate, according to The Future of Post-Secondary Education in the US, by HolonIQ.

Since 2021, Microsoft has been partnering with post-secondary education institutions worldwide to ensure that students receive both a broad education and specific technical skills. This global collaboration has supported over 1,500 higher education institutions in skilling up and certifying more than 425,000 students with industry-recognized tech skills. Microsoft Learn for Educators provides faculty with free access to Microsoft Official Courseware, labs, and training opportunities, preparing them with expertise in cloud computing, cybersecurity, and more—in addition to AI, one of today’s most in-demand tech skill sets.

The skills gap in the job market is undeniable, and there's a clear disconnect between higher education preparation and industry needs. Rachel explains, “As educators, we have a unique opportunity to address this skills gap through our classes, regardless of discipline, while giving our students an edge in the job market. This ensures that colleges and universities remain places where individuals can develop lifelong skills, adapt to the changing job landscape, and thrive in the workforce of tomorrow.”

Partnerships with technology companies, such as Microsoft, present a transformative opportunity for higher education. Faculty participating in Microsoft Learn for Educators can equip students with the skills needed for the modern job market and can better align academia with industry needs. Rachel predicts, “The future belongs to those who are both broadly educated and technically skilled, and together, we can bridge the gap between education and employment.”