Siemens becomes first industrial software company to offer an ABET-recognized credential
In May 2024, Siemens announced an exciting new industry credential program with the intent to create credentials recognized by ABET, a nonprofit, non-governmental agency responsible for accrediting programs in applied and natural science, computing, engineering and engineering technology.
One year later, Design for the Circular Economy, a microcredential created by Siemens in collaboration with the University of Colorado Boulder, is now the first industry credential to receive ABET recognition.
This milestone demonstrates Siemens’ commitment to addressing the engineering skills gap with microcredentials that cultivate in-demand skills and meet ABET’s rigorous quality-assurance standards.
Why microcredentials?
The World Economic Forum reports that as many as 85 million jobs could go unfilled by 2030 due to a lack of applicants with the requisite skills.
As the engineering skills gap continues to widen, more and more organizations are exploring the use of microcredentials to complement traditional degree programs with industry-relevant curriculum.
But what exactly is a microcredential?
A microcredential validates that an individual has learned a body of skills or has obtained knowledge related to a particular discipline or topic once they complete a compressed course of study.
For example, our Design for the Circular Economy microcredential validates that a student has the technical, business and leadership knowledge and skills to inspire the transformation toward a more sustainable world.
Why quality assurance matters
Demand for microcredentials is rising, as evidenced by a recent Coursera survey that indicates that 96% of responding employers agree that microcredentials strengthen a candidate’s application. The survey also reported that 94% of students say microcredentials fast-track skills development.
Despite this increasing demand, the market currently lacks a mechanism to judge the quality of the exploding number of credentials.
“As the landscape of technology and industry continues to evolve rapidly, ABET’s quality assurance of industry credentials plays a key role in enabling learners to gain essential skills and knowledge through high-quality, flexible, accessible programs that meet robust standards for learning. Siemens’ collaboration in the credential recognition pilot has allowed ABET to test its credential standards and review process with a leading industry partner,” said Jessica Silwick, chief financial officer and chief operating officer of ABET.
As the only industrial software company to offer an ABET-recognized credential, we are excited to be leading the way forward in engineering credentialing.
Part of a larger mission to bridge the engineering skills gap with industry-relevant credentials
In addition to Design for the Circular Economy, Siemens is proud to offer a growing number of credentials, including the forthcoming Expedite – Skills for Industry microcredential.
With Expedite – Skills for Industry, early-career engineers can gain and verify marketable skills like product lifecycle management, sustainable engineering, project management, AI tools, utilization of the digital twin and more.
Learn more about Expedite – Skills for Industry.
