The University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee’s TechEd Frontiers is a new talent platform designed to serve the business community.

TechEd Frontiers offers innovative online learning pathways that enable individuals in the workplace to learn new skills and advance in their careers. The on-demand learning focuses on the skills employers need most.

Initially a business-to-business product, the approach is different from non-credit and continuing education initiatives currently offered at UWM and elsewhere. It offers a chance to showcase the expertise of UWM’s faculty and in the ability to design cutting edge, interdisciplinary and cross-disciplinary education in an online format.

“This is really aimed at closing skills gaps,” UWM Vice Provost Phyllis King said. “Employers say people don’t have these skills or competencies and these pathways can give people those skills in a very short amount of time.”

The first two TechEd Frontiers pathways – Cybersecurity Analyst I and Data Analytics and Visualization with Excel – are focused on skills and needs identified by industry leaders. These same industries are also realizing the most cost-effective and efficient way to build these skills in their workforce is to grow talent from within.

“We can make these pathways customizable for companies, taking case studies and information from employers and  embedding that information into the modules to provide real examples and applied learning experiences,” King said. “We can provide employees basic foundational skills in high demand areas, making them more effective in their current positions and more marketable to advance in their careers.

Each learning pathway consists of a series of modules, each focused on a specific topic. An electronic badge is awarded following the successful completion of topics covered by modules and a pathway badge is awarded following the successful completion of all modules in the pathway.

These pathways will create benefits for both organizations and individuals. Organizations will  see increased employee engagement and retention while reducing talent attraction costs. Individuals will acquire competencies that will improve job performance and may provide opportunities for career advancement and increased compensation while earning stackable credentials.

“Our Industry Advisory Council is telling us what is needed to upskill their employees,” King said. “Our pathways are validated by industry and by market research. We’re focused on closing skills gaps and providing learning in online, self-paced formats. We offer success coaches that can help learners along the way, and our subject matter experts are  available to assist learners to completion. All of this builds on the foundation of UWM’s expertise in online learning and status as a R1 institution.”

Employers and employees interested in enrolling in TechEd Frontiers can learn more online or by contacting Dr. Phyllis King.