Spalding partners with SkillStorm to help students earn industry-recognized credentials; boost career mobility in the tech industry
LOUISVILLE, KY., JANUARY 31, 2023 — Spalding University today announced that it has joined an ambitious initiative designed to help students access the skills and credentials necessary to succeed in high-demand tech industry careers. Through the program, powered by tech talent accelerator SkillStorm, Spalding students, alumni, community members, and staff can take courses that lead to industry-recognized credentials from major tech companies including AWS, Salesforce, CompTIA, and Pega.
”Spalding’s mission to meet the needs of the times includes being sure that our students graduate with the knowledge and professional skills to succeed in today’s workforce,” said Dr. Donna Elkins, Associate Dean of Online Education. “Skillstorm’s unique model is enabling us to deliver tech credential and certification programs that maximize our students’ potential for post-graduate success, and elevate anyone in the Spalding community with skills needed by employers across the Commonwealth.”
Recent research suggests that Kentucky will see significant job growth in the tech sector over the next decade; however, the current supply of qualified talent is not enough to meet the expected demand. This partnership seeks to address the talent gap in Kentucky by increasing the availability and accessibility of credentialing programs recognized by tech employers. Through SkillStorm’s platform, Spalding students, alumni, community members, and staff will now be able to access a range of courses to prepare for certifications including AWS Cloud Practitioner, CompTIA Network+, and Salesforce Developer, as well as foundational courses in topics such as Java and object-oriented programming. The initiative will enhance and expand upon Spalding’s existing Continuing Education, certificate, and non-degree program opportunities.
“Spalding University is located at the heart of an emerging tech hub, making it all the more important to provide critically needed tech skills development programs for students and community members,” said Joe Mitchell, COO at SkillStorm. “By joining forces with Spalding to offer training in the most in-demand tech skills, we’re better preparing students and workers for Kentucky’s economic future — and closing the talent gap to accelerate the growth of the state’s tech industry.”
The certification courses supplied by SkillStorm are designed for students and professionals at any stage of their educational or career journey and will enable students to attend when convenient, while providing access to one-on-one training from industry-certified instructors.
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About SkillStorm
SkillStorm is bringing together Fortune 500 employers, universities, and government agencies to build tomorrow’s highly skilled tech workforce. Through partnerships with platforms like Pega, Salesforce, and ServiceNow, we help working learners and aspiring tech experts build in-demand skills and earn industry-recognized certifications to compete in an increasingly dynamic economy. Our work is rooted in the belief that closing skill gaps and boosting economic mobility are two sides of the same coin, and that new approaches to training can help to both expand the pool of skilled tech talent and create new pathways to opportunity.
About Spalding University
Established in 1814 and located in downtown Louisville since 1920, Spalding is a historic, private institution that offers graduate, undergraduate and accelerated programs in a range of areas of study. The regionally accredited university offers an innovative schedule of seven six-week sessions per year, allowing students to earn a bachelor’s degree at their own pace. Its athletic teams compete in NCAA Division III. Spalding was recognized as the world’s first Compassionate University. More information is available at spalding.edu.