Siemens launches microcredential to bridge skills gap in engineering

Siemens Digital Industries Software has introduced a new online microcredential called 'Expedite - Skills for Industry' aimed at helping engineering students and early-career professionals connect their academic knowledge with practical industry skills.

The credential, which comprises four courses and is delivered through the Coursera platform, addresses the need for industry-relevant skills in areas such as product lifecycle management, artificial intelligence applications, digital twin technology, sustainable engineering, and the internet of things. Participants who complete the programme receive a digital badge that can be added to portfolios and online profiles to inform hiring managers and recruiters of their qualifications.

Dora Smith, Senior Director of Future Workforce and Academic Strategy at Siemens Digital Industries Software, stressed the importance of aligning with industry hiring trends. "Our new credential addresses the shift in the talent acquisition that now increasingly relies on skills-based hiring practices, seeking out and preferring candidates who can demonstrate and apply engineering proficiencies and durable skills to complement formal degree programs," she said. 

"Microcredentials are compressed courses of study that demonstrate proven skills and culminate in a verifiable digital badge. They not only give jobseekers the opportunity to differentiate themselves in a highly competitive landscape but also aid employers in prioritizing candidates with the specific competencies they need."

The coursework blends classroom theory with real-world contexts, aiming to fortify core workplace competencies including collaboration, project management, business processes, solutions and risk management. By offering content centred on trending and essential industry topics, Siemens intends the credential to bridge the gap between academic learning and the practical skills needed in today's engineering roles.

Siemens developed 'Expedite - Skills for Industry' for those embarking on their engineering careers or students wishing to enhance their formal education. According to Siemens, the approach supports the current movement toward skills-based recruitment in engineering and technical fields.

Craig Downing, Associate Dean of Lifelong Learning at the Rose-Hulman Institute of Technology, participated in the pilot and commented on the credential's value. "Piloting this Siemens credential provides our students with an additional layer of validity and credibility. When potential employers read the credentials on a resume or see the badge posted, they see Siemens as a clear indicator of quality," he said.

Downing also reflected on the transition from academic to industrial practice. "I am always on the hunt for educational opportunities or professional opportunities to help our students see how the discipline of engineering is practiced in the real world. While we teach the theoretical, there is a transition between how those theories are exercised in practice. Credentials, such as 'Expedite - Skills for Industry', not only boost students' real-world knowledge but also increase their marketability, showcasing their competence in the fields directly impacted by their degree and giving future employers greater confidence in their hiring decisions."

Learners who successfully complete the programme are awarded a digital badge, providing an additional measure of verifiability and visibility to jobseekers' skillsets.

The availability of 'Expedite - Skills for Industry' follows Siemens' collaboration with ABET to pilot recognition of industry-developed credentials. Siemens recently announced that its 'Design for the Circular Economy (Sustainable Operations pathway)' has been recognised by ABET under new Certificate Recognition Standards, reflecting a broader effort to establish externally validated credentials in engineering disciplines.