‘All of the Time’ Learning
11th February 2020
Technology Ireland Software Skillnet has launched a new programme that gives companies low-cost access to vital technology skills on the world’s leading tech e-learning platforms.
Called TechLEARN, it enables staff to learn new tech skills while on the job and provide them with the resources that they need to stay up to date can be a tough challenge for many Irish companies.
The initiative will allow companies to accelerate the development of tech skills for technology and non-technology staff and enable ‘all of the time’ learning.
TechLEARN users will be able to access world-class content via a partnership with long-established US e-learning platforms Pluralsight and O’Reilly Learning.
The platforms provide tech workers across the world with continuous learning with a choice of more than 15,000 online training courses, interactive videos, case studies and skills assessment tools.
The platforms, which are used by staff working for the world’s biggest tech companies and organisations including vmware, Google, Salesforce and NASDAQ will be available through TechLEARN to companies and their staff, at the touch of a button.
With support from the Skillnet Ireland’s workforce development funding, the Technology Ireland Software Skillnet will enable companies to access these platforms at significantly reduced prices.
Commenting, Una Fitzpatrick, Director of Technology Ireland, said: “Every company is now a technology company as digital technologies enable almost all company operations. The half-life of skills is rapidly falling as technologies like AI and blockchain, take hold. We expect that more than half of all employees will require reskilling and upskilling in digital and technology skills as a result. This will place huge demands on companies, their learning processes and their learning budgets.”
The on-demand digital libraries on the learning platforms in TechLEARN span a comprehensive suite of foundation to expert level courses in key technologies for, Artificial Intelligence (AI), Machine Learning, Blockchain, Internet of Things (IoT), Data Science, Cyber Security and Cloud Computing, Software Development and Systems among others.
The traditional model of classroom learning will move towards people learning ‘all of the time’ – through work and social interactions, social media, across the web, and through new learning technologies which provide an ‘always on’, curated learning experience.
Commenting, Maire Hunt, Network Director of the Technology Ireland Software Skillnet, said: “The way that learning is delivered is now being transformed. TechLEARN Digital content and tools enable companies to curate and customise learning paths to fit operational needs.
“Giving staff the ability to learn within the flow of work, or in their own time, and quickly search for the knowledge they need immediately, speaks to millennials and older workers alike.”
The TechLEARN support service also enables companies to learn from one another as they progress through a digital learning journey. This provides valuable insight for company executives and those charged with company learning strategies.
In their 20th CEO survey, PwC found that 77 percent of the CEOs see the availability of key skills as the biggest threat to their business.
Pictured (l-r): Sean Farrington, Pluralsight; Una Fitzpatrick, Director of Technology Ireland; Alexia Pederson and Paul Healy, Skillnet Ireland.
