Summary: Artificial intelligence is reshaping industries, yet a persistent AI skills gap limits workforce readiness. IEEE’s AI training and professional development programs bridge this divide, empowering employees and organizations to harness AI for innovation, efficiency, and growth.

AI isn’t just transforming technology, it’s revolutionizing how we work, innovate, and compete in the global marketplace. Yet despite AI’s growing prominence, a significant AI skills gap persists across industries. Many professionals and organizations are left struggling to harness AI’s full potential through effective AI education and professional development.

The AI Adoption Paradox in Professional Development

Recent research highlights a striking disconnect: while technology leaders identify AI as the most critical technology for 2025, most employees remain unclear on how to integrate AI tools into daily workflows. This gap represents both a challenge and an unprecedented opportunity for organizations seeking comprehensive AI training solutions.

IEEE’s global study, The Impact of Technology in 2025 and Beyond, surveyed 350 technology leaders—including CIOs, CTOs, and IT directors—and paints a compelling picture of AI’s strategic importance for workforce development. More than half ranked AI technologies, encompassing predictive and generative AI, machine learning, and natural language processing, as their top priority entering 2025.

The enthusiasm is backed by action: 

  • 20% of respondents regularly use generative AI in business applications, citing tangible operational value
  • 24% acknowledge AI’s benefits and plan to explore practical applications through structured AI education programs
  • 30% have high expectations and intend to experiment with smaller-scale AI training initiatives

Yet, this executive-level confidence doesn’t translate to the broader workforce.

Research shows that 84% of employees lack clarity about what generative AI is or how it functions in professional settings.

At the same time, 77% of workers feel inadequately trained in AI tools and remain uncertain about how artificial intelligence applies to their roles.

This disconnect creates a critical bottleneck: organizations eager to embrace AI transformation but lacking the skilled workforce to execute their vision.

The Strategic Imperative for AI Education and Skills Development

The stakes couldn’t be higher for professional AI training. Organizations that strategically deploy AI through professional training are positioned to significantly outperform competitors in growth, efficiency, and innovation.

Effective AI implementation enables companies to:

  • Make informed, data-driven decisions
  • Optimize resource allocation
  • Deliver personalized customer experiences
  • Streamline project management

Business leaders who understand AI’s capabilities and limitations through structured AI training will be better equipped to navigate the competitive landscape ahead.

However, the question isn’t whether to invest in AI education and professional development, it’s how to do it effectively and at scale through proven AI training programs.

IEEE AI Training and Professional Development

To address this critical skills gap, IEEE Educational Activities has developed a robust AI education ecosystem that bridges the divide between AI’s potential and practical implementation. These targeted AI training courses ensure employees gain both cutting-edge knowledge and hands-on skills to drive innovation.

Each course provides:

  • Professional development credits (PDHs and CEUs)
  • Shareable digital badges to showcase verified AI proficiency
Featured AI Training Programs
Advanced AI Training for Leaders

For organizations and individuals seeking comprehensive AI leadership development, IEEE has partnered with Rutgers University to launch the IEEE | Rutgers Online Mini-MBA: Artificial Intelligence program. This intensive AI education offering goes beyond technical training to address strategic AI implementation, helping participants understand how to leverage artificial intelligence for specific industries and job functions.

The mini-MBA program equips learners with advanced AI training to strategically address business challenges, optimize processes, maximize data effectiveness, enhance customer service, and drive overall organizational success through AI education. With both individual access and company-specific cohorts available, organizations can customize AI training experiences to meet their unique professional development needs.

Driving Innovation Through AI Skills Development

Whether you’re an experienced professional expanding your AI expertise or an organization looking to transform workforce capabilities, IEEE’s AI training programs provide the foundation for sustained innovation and growth.

Learn more about IEEE’s corporate solutions and professional development opportunities in artificial intelligence.

Microcredentials offer learners an accessible and affordable way to gain and market industry-recognized technical skills that provide pathways into new opportunities. 

Emerging technologies like blockchain, artificial intelligence, and robotics are creating a global demand for skilled technicians to fill critical roles. While many of these positions require specific skills, they don’t always demand a two or four-year degree. This is where skills-based microcredentials come in.

Microcredentials are a relatively new type of credential that represent the mastery of specific skills in a learning program. In order to earn them, learners must demonstrate the skill through a skills validation assessment. They can be “stacked” to show a growing skillset in a defined area, allowing learners to earn several microcredentials in one program. Microcredentials are also verifiable and digitally shareable, highlighting the skills learners have acquired for potential employers. 

Providing new pathways into technical careers 

It’s important to understand where skills-based microcredentials fall in the wider scope of credentials earned through learning programs. Microcredentials remove barriers to entry in technical fields by offering a more accessible path for learners compared to traditional degrees, as they require less time and financial investment. They allow aspiring technical professionals to quickly gain and demonstrate the specific knowledge, skills, and abilities needed to secure entry-level opportunities. Additionally, microcredentials provide paths for advancement by enabling working professionals to upskill their current abilities or reskill into new areas.

Skills-based microcredentials provide new pathways into technical careers in three ways: 

  1. Skilling: Pathways to entry-level opportunities  

Microcredentials can help new workers build and demonstrate the knowledge, skills, and abilities needed for technical entry-level positions. Unlike broader two- or four-year degrees, microcredentials focus on the specific competencies of the role, significantly reducing the time and cost for a learner to become job-ready. 

  1. Upskilling: Pathways to advanced opportunities 

For current technical professionals, microcredentials enable continuous professional development by allowing learners to quickly upskill, or acquire new, specialized skills to meet an organization’s needs or new career opportunities. 

  1. Reskilling: Pathways to Emerging Industry Careers  

As technology evolves, certain jobs may change or even become obsolete while new ones emerge. Microcredentials offer a swift and agile pathway for career transition, enabling professionals to proactively reskill for evolving business needs or opportunities in emerging technical fields.

Getting Started 

More universities and training organizations are starting to offer microcredentials because of the value they provide for learners and industry, but their quality and definitions can vary. This makes it challenging for students to understand the true value of the microcredential. 

With over 30 years of experience, IEEE has the credibility and infrastructure to offer trusted verification of skills-based microcredentials. We partner with industry leaders, training providers, and conference organizers to validate training programs and issue verified professional credentials that meet rigorous industry standards.

Newest eLearning offering Credentials

In addition to skills-based microcredentials, IEEE Educational Activities is offering a variety of new online courses. When you successfully complete courses offered by IEEE Educational Activities, you’ll earn continuing education credits that can be used towards maintaining your Professional Engineer license. Plus, you can also earn digital badges from course programs to display on your LinkedIn profile, highlighting your commitment for professional growth to potential employers.

AI and Chip Technology

  • AI Applications in Semiconductor Packaging:
    Explore how AI is transforming semiconductor packaging reliability, contrasting traditional methods with advanced techniques for performance prediction, failure analysis, and lifecycle optimization.
  • Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning in Chip Design:
    In this program, learners will gain comprehensive knowledge of AI and machine learning applications in chip design and EDA tools, exploring high-value use cases, relevant technologies, and implementation strategies to improve product quality and design efficiency. Learners will also understand how these advances are fundamentally transforming chip design methodologies and prepare for future developments in the field.
  • Integrating Edge AI and Advanced Nanotechnology in Semiconductor Applications:
    This course series explores the intersection of AI, edge computing, and nanotechnology through five connected courses. Learners will cover foundational concepts, nanomagnetic logic, semiconductor innovations, real-world applications, and future system architecture, gaining comprehensive skills in Edge AI Nanoinformatics for modern computing environments.
  • Mastering AI Integration in Semiconductor Manufacturing:
    In this course, learners will explore how AI is revolutionizing semiconductor manufacturing by examining fundamental AI integration concepts, data collection techniques, process optimization methods, and supply chain applications. Participants will gain practical skills to implement AI strategies that enhance production efficiency, improve product quality, and make data-driven decisions within their organizations.

Technology and Infrastructure

  • Battery Energy Storage Technologies and Applications:
    This comprehensive program offers an in-depth exploration of battery storage technologies, covering fundamental concepts, applications across various sectors, technical design, safety regulations, and advanced developments in transportation applications.
  • IEEE 802.11ax: An Overview of High-Efficiency Wi-Fi (Wi-Fi 6):
    This course explores IEEE 802.11ax (Wi-Fi 6) technology, covering PHY layer innovations (day one) and MAC layer advancements (day two). Learners will examine how 802.11ax achieves higher efficiency and improved performance in dense wireless environments through better spectrum utilization, flexible multi-access schemes, and enhanced interference management.

Data and Digital Strategy

  • Machine Learning: Predictive Analysis for Business Decisions:
    In this course, learners will gain an overview of machine learning types and applications for enterprise data analysis, while mastering the technical vocabulary and high-level concepts needed to effectively deploy machine learning solutions in business operations.
  • Protecting Privacy in the Digital Age:
    In this course, learners will gain a comprehensive understanding of digital privacy, including how to operationalize privacy in organizations, engineer privacy into systems, make privacy usable for end users, and address emerging technological challenges to privacy. This program addresses the critical need for privacy protection in our increasingly digitized world where technological innovations pose growing risks to personal information security.

Check out more eLearning Courses that offer digital credentials on the IEEE Learning Network. 

Read more about different types of credentials and how they can advance your career here.

Electrostatic discharge (ESD) remains a costly and invisible threat in the electronics industry, posing significant risks to semiconductor reliability. According to the EOS/ESD Association, ESD occurs when a high electrostatic field triggers a rapid, spontaneous transfer of charge—often between objects with differing electrical potentials. This discharge, sometimes sparked by mere proximity, can severely damage sensitive electronic components.

Just 100 volts of ESD can destroy or degrade devices designed to operate at voltages as low as 1.2 volts.

As electronics become more compact and sensitive, the stakes grow higher—both in technical precision and financial loss. Industry estimates suggest ESD may account for up to 33% of all semiconductor failures during manufacturing and handling. 

Why ESD Threatens Semiconductor Reliability

Modern chips feature nanometer-scale circuitry and operate at ultra-low voltages, making them vulnerable to even minimal electrical overstress. ESD can cause immediate physical harm or introduce latent defects that trigger failures over time—jeopardizing product performance and customer trust.

The economic impact is substantial. EOS/ESD Association data reveals that electrostatic discharge damage costs range from a few cents for basic diodes to thousands of dollars for advanced integrated circuits. Once manufacturers factor in rework, labor, logistics, and overhead, these expenses quickly escalate. 

Understanding ESD is essential in design, testing, and equipment handling. Beyond physical damage, ESD incidents can tarnish brand reputation,” said Zachariah Peterson, IEEE member and executive consultant for Northwest Engineering Solutions.

“Being able to anticipate ESD gives engineers a decisive edge in building resilient products and robust business strategies.”

Protect Against ESD with IEEE’s Course Program

To address this challenge, IEEE offers its Practical ESD Protection Design Course Program—a hands-on training solution for engineers, technicians, and quality professionals seeking to enhance their ESD control programs.

Program Highlights:

  • Interactive Modules: Cover ESD theory, real-world applications, and mitigation strategies
  • Standards-Aligned Instruction: Includes ANSI/ESD S20.20 and other industry benchmarks
  • Professional Certification: Earn 89 PDHs and 8.9 CEUs upon course completion

Future-Proof Your Innovation

As technologies like AI, 5G, and edge computing surge forward, ESD control will be critical to sustaining high-performance, fault-tolerant systems. The margin for error is shrinking—making proactive ESD protection more vital than ever.

Investing in IEEE’s Practical ESD Protection Design Course isn’t just risk management—it’s a strategic move to elevate product reliability, brand credibility, and long-term success.

Learn more about the program today!

 

eLearning is transforming the way professionals advance in the modern workplace.

No classrooms, no boundaries, just unlimited access to learning opportunities. Whether it’s tuning in during a commute or diving into a weekend course, learners want to gain expert knowledge on their own terms. It’s a scalable solution that meets the demands of today’s ever-evolving industries.

Powering the Future of Professional Growth

eLearning empowers individuals to level up their careers, explore passions, and earn credentials that strengthen their résumés. Learners choose what to study, how they learn best, and when and where it fits into their lives.

In a world defined by innovation and constant connectivity, staying competitive means staying current. eLearning has become an essential tool for progressing in the workplace and standing out in competitive industries. It targets emerging trends and opens doors for learners of all ages and backgrounds.

With interactive tools, mobile access, and bite-sized content, eLearning fits seamlessly into fast paced lives-

making it not just convenient, but vital. According to IBM, learners absorb nearly 5x more material without spending more time in training.

Driving Confidence and Results

With every course completed, eLearners’ confidence grows alongside their impact. They begin to identify new opportunities, unlock untapped strengths, and reimagine how their roles can evolve. This constant growth and eagerness to learn results in a higher level of productivity among employees, which boosts engagement and increases job retention rates from 8-10%, up to 60%..

Unlock Lifelong Learning with IEEE

The IEEE Learning Network (ILN) is a global leader in eLearning for STEM and technology professionals. With over 1,880 courses from 44+ IEEE content partners, ILN helps individuals grow their careers and stay ahead in rapidly-changing fields such as AI, cybersecurity, semiconductors, data privacy, and more.

The demand for continuing education is evident. Since 2019, more than 700,000 learners from 190 countries have completed courses on ILN.

Upon completion, courses offer:

  • Digital Certificates
  • Continuing Education Units (CEUs)
  • Professional Development Hours (PDHs)
  • Shareable digital badges for LinkedIn profiles

Whether you are advancing your career or strengthening your organization’s workforce, IEEE’s eLearning solutions deliver flexible, practical, and future-forward learning.

In celebration of ILN’s sixth anniversary, IEEE is offering a special 50% discount on select courses using code ILN50:

Emerging Technologies
Networking, Privacy, and Security
Standards & Infrastructure

 

23 June 2025 marks the 12th annual International Women in Engineering Day, honoring the invaluable contributions made by women engineers worldwide.

Trailblazing Women in Engineering

Throughout history, women engineers have indelibly shaped STEM and society alike through groundbreaking innovations.

Among the world’s many notable pioneers, British engineer and mathematician Hertha Ayrton’s award-winning work in the late 1800s and early 1900s enabled a deeper understanding of electric arcs and ripple effects in sand and water.

American chemist and physicist Esther Conwell’s mid-late 20th century work on the properties of semiconductors and organic conductors helped establish the foundations of modern computing.

And after becoming the world’s first woman to earn a master’s degree in aeronautical engineering in 1929, Canada’s Elsie MacGill played a key role in designing and overseeing the production of over 1,400 Hawker Hurricane fighter planes. These aircraft proved pivotal to the defeat of the Axis powers during World War II.

Modern Day Achievements

More recently, Japan native and computer scientist Yoky Matsuoka, who has held high-level technology roles at Google, Apple, and Nest, conducted landmark research that combined the properties of both neuroscience and robotics. Through this unique approach – a field she named “neurobotics” — she worked to create more realistic prosthetics for amputees.

Britain’s Claire Tomlin, who has taught at Stanford University and the University of California, Berkeley, brought her expertise in aeronautics, astronautics, and electrical engineering to advance the development of unmanned aerial vehicles and air traffic control.

And Texas-based professor Naomi Halas’ research in nanotechnology and her invention of “nanoshells” – tiny glass particles with unique optical properties – holds tremendous promise for destroying cancerous tissue. Her efforts are revolutionizing biomedical imaging, photothermal therapy, and drug delivery.

Engage in Continuing Education and Support Women in Engineering

IEEE proudly supports and recognizes the many women engineers who are shaping the industry and inspiring the next generation of female leaders in engineering.

Below are just some of IEEE’s continuing education course opportunities that are led or feature content written by at least one female instructor.

AI, Data, & Emerging Technologies
  • AI Standards: Roadmap for Ethical and Responsible Digital Environments:
    This five-course program, co-led by Eleanor ‘Nell’ Watson, a world-renowned machine intelligence researcher and expert on machine vision and AI ethics, offers a comprehensive approach to creating ethical and responsible digital ecosystems. Learn more about the course program>>
  • Introduction to Blockchain Technology
    Through in-depth case studies, a discussion of Bitcoin and its connection to blockchain-based technology, and an overview of the pros and cons of decentralization in blockchain technology, this three-hour course program will help learners understand how blockchain can transform their industry. The course is instructed by Morgen Peck, freelance technology journalist with years of experience covering Bitcoin and the blockchain technologies for IEEE Spectrum Magazine, Wired, Scientific American, American Banker, and others. Learn more about the course program>>
  • Finite Element Method for Photonics
    This five-hour course program provides a current and comprehensive account of FEM in photonics devices. With an emphasis on practical, problem-solving applications and real-world examples, learners will understand how mathematical concepts translate to computer code finite-element-based methods. Instructor Arti Agrawal is an Associate Professor in the School of Data and Electrical Engineering at the University of Technology Sydney. Learn more about the course program>>
  • High Performance Computing: Achieving Performance and Efficiency
    This course provides the context for current and near-future CPUs and GPUS as well as what developers will need to know when they program them. The course covers everything from the programming languages dominating the field of HPC to the architecture of parallel programming models and workflow management requirements in large-scale HPC environments. Co-instructor Barbara Chapman, Ph.D. is a Distinguished Technologist for the Cray Programming Environment at Hewlett Packard Enterprise (HPE), was a longtime Professor of Computer Science at Stony Brook University, and remains affiliated with the Department of Computer Science and the Institute for Advanced Computational Science. Learn more about the course program>>
Cybersecurity & Systems Reliability
  • Automotive Cyber Security: Protecting the Vehicular Network
    This five-course program covers automotive cyber security solutions and requirements for intelligent vehicles as well as the infrastructure of intelligent transportation systems. A contributing course instructor is Irish Singh, Ph.D., former Assistant Professor/Director of ReBlockchain Group at ECIS, Woosong University, South Korea and current faculty member at the Oregon Institute of Technology in Klamath Falls, Oregon, U.S. Learn more about the course program>>.
  • Software and Systems Engineering Standards: Life Cycle Processes
    This course shows systems engineers how to use IEEE standards for life cycle processes, understand life cycle and engineering process concepts, select and apply useful systems and software engineering standards, and employ special considerations for the critical programs of defense and aerospace. Instructor Annette Reilly, Ph.D., an active member of the ISO/IEC standards development committee for systems and software engineering, brings extensive field expertise to the topic based on her 31-year-career with Lockheed Martin and her roles as co-editor of ISO/IEC/IEEE 12207, Software engineering—Life cycle processes as well as editor or co-editor of 12 other standards. Learn more about the course program>>
Professional Skills & Communication
  • IEEE English for Technical Professionals
    This online 14-course program will help both professional engineers/technical professionals whose first language may not be English and native speakers alike to strengthen their English language skills through practical activities for reading, writing, and speaking. Instructors include Traci Nathans-Kelly, Ph.D., Director of the Engineering Communications Program at Cornell University, and Susan Matson, M.S., a Teaching Fellow for the U.S. Department of State in Eastern Europe as well as National Director of Curriculum for a multi-site Intensive English Program in the U.S. Learn more about the course program>>

AI is considered one of the most significant technological advancements in modern history and one that is having a major impact on every industry around the globe. The ability to understand AI applications and harness them to achieve next-level growth and operational success is key to true business innovation in every field.

Transforming the Face of Modern Business

The use of AI is bringing a new level of speed, efficiency, and productivity to a broad range of industry sectors and business functions.

From a product development perspective, AI accelerates development cycles and speed to market by analyzing market trends and consumer feedback, enabling companies to innovate faster and stay ahead of the competition. Through their ability to help automate tasks, analyze data, and optimize designs, AI tools ultimately support faster time-to-market for products.

In manufacturing and logistics, AI helps automate routine tasks, optimize supply chains, and manage inventory more effectively, allowing businesses to reduce operational costs and improve efficiency and productivity. According to a recent survey of international manufacturers, nearly 70% are already using AI solutions for everything from quality control and demand forecasting to predictive maintenance that enables them to proactively schedule equipment repairs before they result in costly downtime. BMW relies on AI algorithms to automate quality processes along its conveyor belt, while General Electric’s AI software helps the company employ its manufacturing resources more efficiently in order to achieve its sustainability goals.. 

The Future of AI in Business

In the field of enterprise security, AI helps companies protect data privacy and learn, adapt to, and stay ahead of cybersecurity threats. A recent Forbes study revealed that 51% of business owners surveyed are using AI to shore up their cybersecurity and fraud management activities. For example, Mastercard’s use of AI tools to scan payment data from partner banks helped the company avoid more than US$35 million in fraudulent payments over three years. Also, Amazon’s use of AI to analyze the nearly 750 million cyberattack incidents it logs daily enables the company to identify growing threats.

In the customer service arena, AI-powered chatbots and virtual assistants provide instant responses and create personalized experiences. Companies like Amazon, Walmart, Netflix, and South Korean video game developer Krafton are already streamlining their service processes and bringing greater depth to their customer interactions by offering personalized product recommendations, custom-optimizing search and browsing, more efficient customer service, and improved supply chain operations.

The significance of AI to business and the job market is clear, and while the debate over the proliferation of AI continues, one thing remains certain:

“AI will not replace humans. But those who use AI will replace those who don’t.”

-Ginni Rometty, former CEO of IBM

Let IEEE Help You Unleash the Power of AI for Yourself and Your Organization

Despite its integration into our daily lives, studies show that AI remains a source of confusion for many people. But given the widespread use of AI applications across so many industries, it’s crucial for business managers and other industry professionals to have a solid understanding of AI principles and their impact on business functions. The real challenge, and the ultimate success, doesn’t come from just learning about this transformative new technology, but from applying it effectively in your business.

Check out AI resources from IEEE to help you get up to speed on what you need to know:

The IEEE | Rutgers Online Mini-MBA: Artificial Intelligence Program is designed to demystify AI for business managers and leaders of all levels of understanding and experience with AI, providing them with the strategic insights needed to leverage AI effectively.

The program offers a non-IT view of AI and provides the foundational knowledge to assess AI’s analytical and decision-making capabilities. Learners explore how AI can be used to address business pain points, optimize processes, better serve customer needs, and improve an organization’s bottom line. The specialized 12-week course offers engaging real-world case studies, practical insights, forward-thinking ideas, and an invaluable Capstone Project, where learners will be able to complement their technical skills with a strategic, business view of AI and its real-world applications for themselves and their organizations.

Gain the expertise to navigate the complexities of AI in order to seamlessly integrate it into your operations, transform technological potential into a competitive edge, and innovate with impact. Learn more!

More eLearning courses on AI:

Mark your calendars—IEEE Education Week takes place from 6–12 April 2025! This popular annual event is a week-long celebration of the educational opportunities provided by IEEE and its many organizational units, societies, and councils worldwide. Whether you’re a technical professional, a member of the academic community, or a STEM enthusiast, IEEE Education Week is a great way to explore the broad range of educational programs and resources offered by the world’s largest technical professional association.

Challenge Yourself

While it might seem easy, comfortable, or convenient to “stay in your lane” in your current position, numerous studies confirm the increasing importance of continuing education in today’s competitive landscape and the positive impact training and development can have on your job performance, career progression, and self-esteem.

Nine out of ten workers surveyed believe that continuing education positively affects their level of engagement on the job. The same study also revealed that one of the top reasons why employees reported feeling bored at work was due to a “lack of opportunity to learn new skills.”

A recent study also showed that opportunities for continuing education, growth, and development on the job are considered key to career success by 76% of the Gen Z workforce, and another study showed that these opportunities were considered critical by 59% of the millennial-age workforce.

Continuing Education Pays Dividends

The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics confirms that “the more you learn, the more you earn.” The acquisition of new skills, degrees, and industry certifications can merit a pay raise at your existing job or a higher starting salary at your next job—often to the tune of 10-20% more.

The pursuit of continuing education also offers many personal benefits. Among them, it affords the opportunity to widen your network of industry peers, mentors, and leaders as well as delivering the sense of satisfaction that comes from stepping outside of your comfort zone, investing in yourself, and tackling new challenges.

Six out of ten employees surveyed believed that continuing education enhances job performance and productivity.

And 51% of employees surveyed believed that continuing education boosts their self-confidence, while 41% felt it improves their time-management skills.

Furthermore, many experts feel there’s a strong link between ongoing learning and good health. This is because continuing education challenges you to exercise your memory, problem-solving abilities, openness to change, and cognitive skills at any age.

The bottom line?

In today’s fast-paced and rapidly changing business and technical landscape, the acquisition of new skills through continuing education, certifications, and degrees are critical to remaining competitive and getting ahead.

IEEE Education Week: Your Go-To Source for Continuing Education from the World’s Largest Technology Association

Offering in-person and virtual events, resources, and special offers on educational products and services across the organization, IEEE Education Week is a great opportunity to explore your interests and acquire additional knowledge. Whether you’re a professional working in a technical field, a faculty member, or a university student, there’s a learning opportunity that will inspire you during IEEE Education Week. Plus, a range of special offers and discounts during IEEE Education Week can make some of these offerings even easier to access.

A successful career in engineering isn’t only about having strong technical expertise. It also hinges on your ability to communicate clearly, engage and motivate others, demonstrate business acumen, and lead teams effectively. Deficits in any of these skillsets can significantly impair an engineer’s career trajectory.

Strong leadership skills are key to any manager’s or company’s success. Conversely, weakness in this area can undermine that pursuit. For example, a study found that nearly four out of five employees who recently quit their job attributed their decision to a lack of leadership or recognition in their company. Similarly, a Gallup survey of more than one million employees nationwide revealed that 75% of respondents who had quit their jobs did so because of their manager, not the position. The results confirm the old saying that “people leave managers, not companies.”

This reality is especially hard-felt in the engineering community. Many electrical and electronics engineers confirm that all or most of their academic training focused on mastery of STEM-related technical skills, with little to no time spent on developing their leadership, communication, business, or people skills.

More Than Technical Knowledge Needed to Succeed

The fallout of this skills gap has been felt across many tech-related fields. Based on discussions with dozens of executives in tech companies, a recent report identified the top five reasons why advanced-degree scientists and engineers fail in leadership roles – and they don’t relate to their technical knowledge at all. Rather, their failures were attributed to poor communication skills, lack of people skills, lack of strategic thinking, inability to develop talent, and poor time management.

As engineers progress in their careers, their responsibilities often expand beyond just technical expertise. Successive positions up the ladder will require skillsets such as managing projects, engaging and motivating employees, collaborating with other teams, planning and budgeting, demonstrating vision, and employing a range of other business and leadership skills.

This is confirmed by a Harvard Business School study, which identified “leadership” as one of the top business skills that tech and engineering employers seek in their candidates, along with strengths in communication, management, problem-solving, business operations, research, and critical thinking.

Experts agree that without these foundational skills, technical professionals will only go so far. In a recent study, for example, 73% of companies surveyed felt that business, leadership, and cognitive skills were lacking among prospective candidates. This gap will limit the growth and success of organizations and candidates alike.

The good news in all of this?

A recent study cited in Forbes revealed that only 20-30% of leadership skills are actually innate and that some 70% of leadership qualities can be acquired through experience and education. In other words, tech professionals can learn to be strong and effective leaders.

Let the IEEE Professional Development Suite Help You and Your Team Hone Your Business and Leadership Skills

Invest in your professional development and further your goal of moving up the corporate ladder by exploring the IEEE Professional Development Suite. This collection of training programs is specially designed to suit the needs of professionals at any stage of their career.

  • IEEE Leading Technical Teams offers learners the essential skills and strategies required to help technical teams achieve their goals. The curriculum features live interactive training, engaging case studies, and practical, real-world exercises. Discover the latest trends and best practices in technical leadership and gain the confidence to navigate complex challenges. Learn more and register for a virtual or in-person sessions! 
  • The IEEE | Rutgers Online Mini-MBA for Engineers is specifically designed to help engineers and technology professionals secure the critical business skills that are important for long-term career success. Offered in short, flexible, and engaging modules, learners will receive a foundational overview of key business topics such as accounting, communication, ethics, finance, managerial economics, management, entrepreneurship, marketing, operations, and strategic management as well as practices to help align technical capabilities with business goals. Learn more! 
  • The newly launched IEEE | Rutgers Online Mini-MBA: Artificial Intelligence seeks to demystify AI for business managers and leaders. Learn how AI can be used to address business pain points, optimize processes, better serve customer needs, and improve an organization’s bottom line. Get the skills needed to take a strategic, business view of AI and understand its real-world applications within your own department and organization. Learn more!

 

Resources:

Powitzky, Elizabeth. (25 May 2018). Great Leaders Are Made, Not Born: Six Strategies for Becoming a Better Leader. Forbes.

Kizer, Kristin. (29 June 2023). 35+ Powerful Leadership Statistics [2023]: Things All Aspiring Leaders Should Know. Zippia.

Lewis, Greg. (11 August 2022). Industries with the Highest (and Lowest) Turnover Rates. LinkedIn.

Boyles, Michael. (10 January 2023). Leadership in Engineering: What It Is & Why It’s Important. Harvard Business School.

Hyacinth, Brigette. (27 December 2017). Employees Don’t Leave Companies, They Leave Managers. LinkedIn.

Upwork.Adams, Angelique. Top 5 Reasons Advanced-Degree Scientists and Engineers Fail in Leadership Roles. LinkedIn.

Landry, Lauren. (5 January 2023). 6 Business Sills Every Engineer Needs. Harvard Business Review. 

Barnes, Cory. Soft Skills for Engineers: The importance of communication, teamwork, and other non-technical skills in a highly technical field. LinkedIn. 

Founded by the National Society of Professional Engineers (NSPE) and celebrated every February since 1951, Engineers Week was established to recognize how much engineers have contributed to society and the critical role that engineering plays in our lives. Celebrated this year from 16-22 February, Engineers Week stands as a reminder of how engineers have changed the world.

A History of Innovation

Throughout history, electrical engineers in particular have been responsible for some of the world’s most pivotal inventions.

Among them, Thomas Edison’s 1,000+ patents throughout the late 19th and early 20th centuries included the incandescent light bulb and phonograph. Edison also established electric utilities, which helped make electricity more accessible to homes and businesses. (The National Electrical Safety Code (NESC) was also first published in the early 20th century.) Around the same time, Nikola Tesla’s development of AC electrical systems, as well as his invention of the Tesla coil and induction motor, revolutionized telecommunications, power transmission/generation, and wireless technology. In the 1950s, Jack Kilby and Robert Noyce’s joint invention of the integrated circuit led to the miniaturization of electronic devices and the rise of personal computers, smart phones, semiconductors, and modern electronics.

Shaping Society Through Technology

More recently, electrical engineers have driven some of the most important developments shaping society today. These include smart grids, which enable electric utilities to engage in two-way communications with customers and make real-time adjustments, as well as energy storage systems, which promote electric resiliency by allowing for the storage of renewable energy (generated by solar power, wind, etc.) for use at a later time. Popular everyday items such as smart watches, thermostats, fitness trackers, telehealth systems, and many other devices are possible thanks to the development of the Internet of Things (IoT), which enables “connected” devices to collect, analyze, and share data. 

Elsewhere, the recent development and proliferation of electric vehicles aims to help reduce the world’s dependence on fossil fuels and combat climate change. Additionally, the growth of artificial intelligence (AI), machine learning, and quantum computing will continue to transform everything from healthcare, manufacturing, and transportation to customer service, banking, gaming, semiconductor design, weather forecasting, and more. This led Time Magazine to identify AI as a major force that will “reshape the world.”

Breakthrough developments like those above – as well as inventions that have yet to be imagined – rely on the technical expertise, vision, and creative efforts of electrical engineers. These professionals serve within a high-demand field worldwide. They can apply their talents to indelibly impact any number of diverse and dynamic industries.

Simply put, the field of engineering is positioned firmly at the edge of innovation, and the efforts of electrical engineers in particular are critical to the operation of modern society.

IEEE: Keeping You at the Forefront

Each year, Engineers Week helps increase public awareness regarding the positive contributions engineers make while also promoting careers in engineering and shining a spotlight on the importance of technical education.

As the professional home for the technology community worldwide for generations, IEEE has long been a renowned source of education in the broad range of fields that it encompasses. In honor of Engineers Week, the IEEE Learning Network (ILN) is offering a 25% discount on some of its most popular course programs. The special discount is available through 11:59 pm ET on 28 February 2025. Simply use code EW25 at checkout!

Eligible course programs include:

Engineers Week is a great time to celebrate the field of engineering and invest in yourself. Don’t miss the opportunity to learn something new while earning professional development credit and digital badges that will enable you to showcase your new skillset!

 

Resources

National Engineers Week. National Today.

Engineers Week. National Society of Professional Engineers.

The Top 20 Famous Engineers Who Shaped the Modern World. Discover Engineering.

Kerwin, Jenna. (31 January 2025). Technology Trends in Electrical Engineering. Excelsior University.

Suleyman, Mustafa. How the AI Revolution Will Reshape the World. Time.

Hamilton, Ilana. (7 February 2024). 5 Careers in Electrical Engineering to Consider. Forbes.

10 Examples of Internet of Things (IoT) in Everyday Life. Nike Oregon Project.

Cloke, Harry. (28 July 2022). 70 Powerful Quotes About Learning to Inspire You! Growth Engineering.

workforce-development-elearning-library

If you think that opportunities for continuing education, training, and development aren’t a major determinant of job satisfaction for employees as well as a key driver of success for organizations, think again.

Nearly two-thirds of employees claim that a lack of opportunities for development and advancement are among the top reasons for leaving their job – nearly on par with too little compensation. Similarly, in another major survey, 43% of employees claim that a lack of advancement opportunities is one of the primary reasons why they quit their last job.

From an employer’s perspective, studies show that the ability to offer employees quality opportunities for continued learning and development is critical to an organization’s growth and success.

Companies that invest in the training and development of their workforce were found to be 17% more productive and over 20% more profitable than those that did not offer such opportunities.

Seven out of ten employees share that opportunities for continued education made them feel more connected and loyal to their workplace, while 80% confirmed that opportunities for learning “add purpose to the work” and enhance feelings of accomplishment and self-actualization. With no surprise, a whopping 94% of employees report that they stay longer at companies that invest in their growth through training and development— proving once again that opportunities for ongoing learning are key to employee retention.

In terms of the skills that will be required in the years to come, continuing education will be increasingly necessary for individuals and organizations alike. It is anticipated that nearly 70% of all workers’ skills worldwide could be disrupted by 2030 due to the growth of artificial intelligence in the workplace, requiring an ongoing focus on skills gap assessments and upskilling activities.

IEEE eLearning Library: Your Go-To Source for Continuing Education

As the world’s largest technology association for the advancement of humanity, IEEE serves as the professional home for the engineering and technical community. One of its many resources, the IEEE eLearning Library, offers hundreds of high-quality online courses in core and emerging technologies. Tailored for technical professionals, faculty, and students, the IEEE eLearning Library taps into a wealth of expertise from IEEE’s global network of over 450,000 industry and academia members in a vast array of subjects ranging from aerospace and defense, automotive technology, artificial intelligence, blockchain, and cloud and edge computing to telecommunications, cybersecurity and data privacy, Internet of Things, power and energy, systems engineering, and much more.

Each course within the IEEE eLearning Library is developed by IEEE Educational Activities in partnership with subject matter experts from various IEEE technical societies and organizational units, some of which include IEEE Power & Energy Society, IEEE Standards Association, IEEE Communications Society, IEEE Digital Privacy Initiative, and more. Courses can be accessed by individuals via the IEEE Learning Network while organizations can offer their employees the full library or a subset of courses pertinent to their needs and/or industry.

Courses are offered in self-paced, digestible hour-long sessions that accommodate learners’ busy schedules, and completion of courses awards microcredentials and digital badges bearing professional development hours (PDHs) and continuing education units (CEUs), enabling professionals to verify and promote their new skills throughout both their organization and the industry.

What’s In It For You?

Organizations and employees can enjoy many benefits by building the IEEE eLearning Library into their continuing education plans.

Among them, the IEEE eLearning Library is an optimal way to deliver standardized training to employees (especially those in different locations) and help position them for growth, development, and career advancement. The results of this investment to an organization include increased employee engagement, improved productivity and performance, enhanced profitability, and greater innovation and industry competitiveness – all while saving money on travel, materials, and instructor costs thanks to the easy online format that employees can access anytime, anywhere.

Whether you want to enhance your knowledge within your own technical field or expand to other technical specialties, the IEEE eLearning Library offers the technical training to meet your and your organization’s needs. Explore access options through IEEE Xplore®, the IEEE Learning Network (ILN), or through your organization’s own Learning Management System.

Contact an IEEE Account Manager to learn more about the best option(s) for you or your organization’s learners today!

If you’re looking to access courses as an individual learner rather than through your company, browse eLearning content from IEEE Educational Activities offered on ILN.

Check out our infographic to learn more about the IEEE eLearning Library. 

 

Resources

Hastwell, Claire. (21 April 2023). Employee Training and Development: The Benefits of Upskilling or Reskilling Your Team. Insights.

Parker, Kim and Horowitz, Juliana Menasce. (9 March 2022). Majority of Workers who Quit a Job in 2021 Cite Low Pay, No Opportunities for Advancement, Feeling Disrespected. Pew Research.

Poll on the Importance of Growth Opportunities to Employee Satisfaction and Career Success. Great Place to Work US. 

Trisca, Lorelei. (12 September 2024). Employee Development Statistics You Need to Know Right Now. Deel.

The State of L&D in 2022. TalentLMS and SHRM Research.

(30 April 2023). The Future of Jobs Report 2023. World Economic Forum.