For many people, formal education ends in early adulthood. However, today’s fast-paced and rapidly evolving world requires professionals to stay up-to-speed in their field or risk falling behind. Investing in continuing professional education throughout your career is critical to remaining a high-performing contributor in your field. A wealth of research also confirms that companies which promote a culture of continuous learning and invest in their employees’ development and career advancement benefit as well.
Here are a few examples of the tremendous impacts that continuing education are having on today’s workplace.
Reported Benefits of Providing Educational Opportunities
According to a survey of 4,000 professionals within LinkedIn’s recent Workplace Learning Report, 94% of employees said that they’d stay at a company longer if that organization invested in their professional development.
A recent Pulse of Talent study by HR software and service provider Ceridian revealed that people who work for companies that invest in employee professional development are 83% more likely to feel happy in their job. This study and other research confirms that job satisfaction contributes to greater employee retention, loyalty, engagement, and productivity.
Based on an analysis of three million worker surveys by employee recognition and engagement expert Bob Nelson, Ph.D. in his book, 1,001 Ways to Engage Employees, learning and development opportunities ranked as the second most important factor, after compensation, in determining employee engagement.
The benefits of an engaged workforce— aided by a culture of learning and development opportunities— are significant to companies. According to a 2022 Gallup poll, highly engaged business units experience 81% less absenteeism, 14% greater productivity, 18% higher sales, 23% greater profitability, anywhere from 18-43% less employee turnover, and 10% higher customer ratings than business units with less engaged employees.
According to The Enterprise Guide to Closing the Skills Gap, a recent IBM survey of over 5,250 executives worldwide, the half-life of professional skills— which was once 10-15 years— has declined to just 5 years. This means that “half of the knowledge associated with those skills will become irrelevant within 5 years.” Given the rapid rate of technological evolution, the report noted that the half-life is even shorter for technical skills. This finding has led many industry experts to contend that employee career development and continuous learning opportunities, particularly in the technical fields, aren’t just a bonus, but rather a company’s responsibility and obligation.
Corporate Approaches to Continuing Professional Education
Companies around the world are employing a number of creative approaches when it comes to their employees’ professional growth and development.
For example, computer network manufacturer 3Com encourages its engineers and other technical workers to meet with customers as a way to help “behind-the-scenes” employees build customer-facing skills. It also helps 3Com employees gain a better understanding of how their engineering efforts are utilized in real-life applications.
US-based software firm Full Beaker, Inc. provides each employee with US$1,500 each year for their professional growth— to be used on books, courses, professional conferences, “or anything that makes the employee better at what he or she does for the company,” said company SEO Director Shavkat Karimov.
Another example is Cisco Systems GmbH, headquartered in Hallbergmoos, Germany, which is proud to give employees regular access to what they call “the three Es”: education, experience, and exposure.
Build IEEE Into Your Continuing Professional Education Plans
Former Accenture CEO Pierre Nanterme once said that if you feel good in your role, “that’s the perfect time for you to experiment with something new, to get out of your comfort zone.”
However individuals and companies choose to engage in continuing professional education, the positive contribution that continuous learning makes to both employee and organizational growth is undeniable. IEEE offers a broad range of courses on relevant topics that can help individuals keep building their skills in order to advance personally and professionally. Furthermore, from an organizational perspective, companies who foster a culture of continuous learning can enjoy positive forward motion as a result of the proactive investments they make in their workforce.
Here are some of the newest course programs from amongst the extensive breadth of continuous learning opportunities from IEEE:
Energy Efficiency, Sustainability, and Climate Change
Minigrids, which distribute electricity generated by renewable sources such as solar panels, wind turbines, battery storage, hydropower, and diesel generators, are becoming increasingly critical for the nearly 800 million people worldwide who currently have no access to electricity. Given that two-thirds of that number live in sub-Saharan Africa, IEEE created a new four-course program, Minigrids in Africa. In this course program, learners will explore the context and roles for minigrids in Africa as well as appropriate technologies and maintenance, sustainability, operational, and regulatory and policy considerations for connecting to national grids. Learn More>>
Given the many facets of climate change and their far-reaching effects, Engineering Solutions for a Sustainable Future, a new course from IEEE, provides a solid overview of the extent of activity and innovation in sustainability solutions. Broken into seven easily digestible 7-10-minute modules, this course covers everything from intelligent urban networks that can alleviate congestion and Vehicle-to-Grid (V2G) solutions for distribution system reliability to hybrid home energy management systems for emission reduction, sustainable IoT device development solutions, energy-efficient data center climate control policies, optimal resource scheduling based on export rates, and electric vehicle battery swapping stations. Within the convenient timeframe of just one hour, learners will receive a thorough overview of modern-day engineering solutions to some of the world’s most pressing sustainability challenges. Learn More>>
High Performance Computing
Though high performance computing has been used for decades in academic and government settings, the massive quantities of data now being processed and shared across a broad range of industries and mission-critical applications is driving the demand for greater and faster computing power. High Performance Computing Technologies, Solutions to Exascale Systems, and Beyond, a five-course program developed in partnership with IEEE Future Directions, introduces learners to techniques for addressing challenges in the Exascale era, insights into the leading edge of HPC research, and other topics. Learn More>>
Configuration Management
With the threat of costly and destructive cyber attacks involving ransomware, malware, computer worms, and other nefarious forms of software on the rise, configuration management— an IT process that establishes configuration standards for each asset in a company’s network and automatically alerts business leaders of inconsistencies— is becoming an increasingly standard approach for companies to reduce their vulnerability. Software & Hardware Configuration Management in Systems Engineering, a five-course program, takes learners through the basics of building reliable software, employing best systems engineering practices, and other topics. Learn More>>
Invest in Yourself and Your Career Today
In addition to the sense of personal achievement that comes with investing in your own professional development, successfully completing continuing education through IEEE can help get you recognized in the field.
Through the IEEE Credentialing Program, learners who demonstrate proficiency in a topic can earn an IEEE digital badge, a credential recognizing the completion of continuing education or the acquisition of a skill through participation in an IEEE course or event. With the ability to be displayed on resumes, social media, and email signatures, digital badges can elevate an individual’s professional status and career. They can also help companies to develop their employees’ individual knowledge base and collective strength in the market. As the world’s largest technical professional home, IEEE offers the relevant content that engineers need to stay ahead, and digital badges represent both an assurance of quality education for employers as well as a source of pride for learners.
Make an investment in yourself and your future today by checking out the aforementioned course programs or the many other continuing professional education opportunities available through the IEEE Learning Network (ILN)!
Resources
Markovic, Isidora. 7 Statistics That Highlight the Value of Continuous Learning. eduMe.
Nelson, Bob, Ph.D. (25 September 2018). How Learning & Development Impacts Employee Engagement. Training Industry.
Harter, Jim. (13 August 2022). Employee Engagement vs. Employee Satisfaction and Organizational Culture. Gallup.
Gurchiek, Kathy. (30 September 2019). Employers Need to Broaden Strategies to Close Skills Gap. SHRM.
Engineers spend much of their time learning technical skills. However, they may not be as invested in learning the communication and business knowledge needed to ascend to leadership positions. These skills are becoming especially important as digital transformation is forcing traditional workforces to evolve.
While technical certifications can certainly make an impressive addition to your resume, a mix of technical and non-technical certifications is even better. Consider these insightful tips from IT leaders on how to obtain and make the most of professional certifications. These tips were originally published in CIO (magazine).
Seven Tips to Help You Grow Professionally
- Get certified in areas where your skills are lacking:
Chief Information Officers (CIOs) at big technology organizations tend to have excellent IT skills. However, these skills are often paired with a lack in communication skills. CIOs from customer-facing business to business organizations often have the opposite problem. This is according to Saurabh Chandra, managing director at Boston Consulting Group. “These technology leaders need to get certified in areas that they lack. While CIOs push their team to get certified, they need to come out of their comfort zones and follow suit,” Chandra said. - Establish your own way of learning:
Rather than going along with professional learning trends, you should establish a personalized list of certifications. Aim to finish these within 18 months, advises Puneesh Lamba, CIO of Shahi Exports, an apparel manufacturing company. “The courses should be shortlisted, keeping in mind both the individual’s interest and the organization’s need,” Lamba said. - Obtain certifications that expand knowledge of your industry:
“If I have to remain in the insurance industry, I have to continuously build on my knowledge base,” said Mayank Bhargava, chief technology and data officer at Pramerica Life Insurance. - Make sure the certifications you are obtaining are meaningful:
Look for certifications that will add real value to your skills, advises Sunil Mehta, senior vice president and area systems director for Central Asia at advertising agency WPP. “Getting certified after attending one to two hours of a local online course doesn’t add true value,” Mehta said. - Implement your knowledge:
“At the end of the day, it is the content, faculty, and case studies of a course that cumulatively open the mind,” said Sourabh Chatterjee, president and head of technology, digital sales, and travel at Bajaj Allianz General Insurance. “Without implementing the knowledge thus acquired, a certification will only serve the purpose of self-gratification.” - Immerse yourself in projects as if you are a non-manager:
Sourabh Chatterjee, president and head of technology, digital sales, and travel at Bajaj Allianz General Insurance, said he takes a hands-on approach to projects. This includes areas like coding, designing, process flow, testing, or architecture. “This not only helps me to put into practice what I learned in a certification course. It also enables me to stay relevant by getting insights into crucial aspects of a project, such as human behavior, technology, content, and motivation,” said Chatterjee. - Match your technical certifications with business certifications 50:50:
“For every AI and data science certification, I also undertake a business certification. This helps in enhancing my behavioral and influencing skills. It enables me to build a business case for technology and aids me in transforming the IT department,” said Lamba.
As an engineer, growing your leadership skills is essential. Do you have the skills necessary to take on a leadership role and compete in a constantly evolving job market?
Show You Have What It Takes to Become a Leader
Whether you’re looking to grow within your current organization or find opportunities elsewhere, start preparing for your next move. Use continuing education courses specifically designed for engineers and other technical professionals.
IEEE Leading Technical Teams is a training program which recognizes the unique challenges that come with leading technical groups. It is designed for team leaders, managers, and directors of engineering and technology teams. Participants should have been in their role for a minimum of six months. The program equips technical leaders with tools to flourish, while unlocking their professional growth and success. Additionally, it inspires and motivates their teams to greater heights of innovation.
IEEE Leading Technical Teams consists of two components:
- A “360° Leadership Practices Inventory” (LPI), which solicits confidential feedback on both the leader’s areas of strength. It also identifies opportunities for improvement from their team members, peers, and managers/supervisors.
- A 6-hour, in-person training session, where attendees receive the results of their LPI. During the session, participants engage in targeted instructor-led exercises. They discuss case studies highlighting the unique challenges faced by technical leaders. They also learn solutions and best practices to apply to their specific situations. In addition, they are taught the “Five Practices of Exemplary Leadership” and receive valuable peer coaching.
Learn more about IEEE Leading Technical Teams and how you can enroll for a future session, with in-person and virtual options available.
IEEE has partnered with Rutgers Business School to offer the IEEE | Rutgers Online Mini-MBA. Designed specifically for groups of ten or more within an organization, this program operates entirely online. It features topics including business strategy, managing product development, finance, negotiation, managing human capital, intellectual property strategy, and transformational agility.
To learn more about offering the IEEE | Rutgers Online Mini-MBA for your organization, in order to help your staff grow into leadership roles, contact an IEEE Account Manager today.
Resources
Singh, Yashvendra. (17 June 2022). 3 certification tips for IT leaders looking to get ahead. CIO.
A digital badge is a visual symbol that represents the development of a new skill that can be displayed, accessed, and verified online. Digital badges are becoming increasingly popular among professionals as a way to prove they have important skill sets, particularly among those working in technical fields.
“A digital badge is further proof someone has achieved a credential and maintained that credential,” Nader Qaimari, chief product officer at ISACA, told TechTarget.
Digital badges come embedded with metadata that provide information beyond only skill sets, including date of completion and the awarding organization. They may also include whether the badge needs to be renewed and if that has been accomplished through additional training.
Digital badges are becoming popular because of the benefits they provide for both workers and employers. For professionals, badges demonstrate proof of their skills and accomplishments, which they can display on their online professional profiles, in their email signatures, and on social media.
“They allow people to more easily express that they’ve been certified to employers and to each other,” James Stanger, chief technology evangelist at CompTIA, an organization that awards digital badges for its certifications, told TechTarget.
Why Do Digital Badges Matter to Organizations and Employers?
A number of organizations now offer digital badge programs for their employees. IBM has developed a comprehensive digital badging program of ‘badge families’ associated with the attainment of knowledge and skills in analytics, cloud computing, mobile computing, enterprise design thinking and more. In 2020, the company said it awarded three million digital badges since 2015. Additionally, Cisco, Microsoft, Hewlett Packard, Oracle, and SAP have embraced the Mozilla Open Badges standard, a free software and open technical standard for any organization that wants to develop, issue and verify digital badges.
For employers who acknowledge digital badges, it improves operations by motivating workers to boost their knowledge and skills, and is a smart way to show the world that they employ skilled, qualified professionals. Digital badges help organizations build their brand and find new audiences across social media. They also allow HR departments to quickly spot qualified candidates online, reducing the amount of time it takes to recruit such candidates.
Earn Digital Badges with IEEE
An IEEE digital badge is a credential that indicates an accomplishment or skill that has been earned through completing certain IEEE course programs or attending certain IEEE events. These badges can be displayed and verified online.
How Do You Earn IEEE Digital Badges?
Individuals can take part in IEEE digital badging by completing any of the course programs listed below through the IEEE Learning Network (ILN). Please note that you must complete all courses in the program in order to earn a digital badge.
IEEE English for Technical Professionals
This course program provides an overview of machine learning in the age of big data, cloud computing, and data-saturation.
Automotive Cyber Security
This five-course course aims to foster the discussion on automotive cyber security solutions and requirements for not only intelligent vehicles, but also the infrastructure of intelligent transportation systems.
AI Standards
This five-course series is to provide instructions for a comprehensive approach to creating ethical and responsible digital ecosystems.
Digital Transformation
This five-course program aimed to foster a discussion around how digital transformation can revolutionize various industries and provide the background knowledge needed to intelligently implement digital tools into organizations.
Machine Learning
This five-course provides an overview of machine learning in the age of big data, cloud computing, and our data-saturated society.
Bridging the 4G/5G Gap
Part One focuses on the historical overview of 4G/5G technology and how it has impacted society and residents of the United States.
Part Two focuses on the scientific evidence surrounding wireless facilities’ impact on property value and human health – including addressing conspiracy theories.
Individuals can also complete select IEEE Educational Activities virtual events to earn a badge:
Effective Remote Instruction Virtual Conference
This five-event series allows you to hear from faculty from across the globe as they share real-world examples and best practices in remote instruction.
Engineering Education 2.0 Series
Engineering Education 2.0 is a four-part series that equips participants with skills to apply best practices and understanding from current STEM higher-education research literature.
Organizations can get institutional access through ILN to these courses for their employees. Contact an IEEE Account Specialist to learn more.