ABET Acknowledges Siemens Microcredential Program

Siemens Digital Industries Software reports that its ‘Design for the Circular Economy (Sustainable Operations pathway)’ microcredential has been recognized by ABET, an ISO 9001 certified quality assurance agency responsible for the accreditation of STEM academic programs, recognition of credentials and assessment of student learning that supports  education worldwide. This industry credential has received ABET recognition under its Certificate Recognition Standards. Siemens shares that it has helped drive the formalization of ABET’s quality assurance standards for credentials through its participation in a pilot study conducted by ABET.

Siemens developed the microcredential in collaboration with the University of Colorado Boulder. It provides the skills and knowledge for technical professionals to be contributors in sustainability initiatives, as well as to prepare them to become future leaders and take on professional sustainability roles. The nine-course learning pathway underwent a robust quality assurance review process by ABET and successfully achieved full recognition. 

“Siemens is proud to be the first industrial software company to achieve ABET recognition. Our credential program bridges the gap between academia and industry, and this is a key milestone that illustrates how rigorous quality assurance standards are being met for learning and delivery,” says Dora Smith, senior director, Future Workforce and Academic Strategy, Siemens Digital Industries Software. “ABET’s recognition demonstrates Siemens’ leadership in driving change in engineering education.”

“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,” says Jessica Silwick, chief financial officer and chief operating officer, ABET. 

“Online credentials empower learners to advance their careers by gaining valuable skills and knowledge on their own terms. Accredited certificates, like those developed by Siemens, give individuals confidence that they are staying on the leading edge of competitive fields,” says Dr. Michael Gazarik, faculty director of the Lockheed Martin Engineering Management Program at the University of Colorado Boulder. 

New Engineering Credential

This week Siemens also announced a new ‘Expedite - Skills for Industry’ credential, a four-course, fully online microcredential which prepares students for industry by connecting engineering theory with practical skills. The new credential covers key trends, business processes and tech-based work environments, providing an essential foundation in industry-relevant skills and empowering graduates to confidently enter the workforce equipped to meet the future demands, the company says.

The new credential will be available later this summer 

“Our new credential addresses the shift in the talent acquisition that now increasingly relies on skills-based hiring practices, seeking out and preferring candidates who can demonstrate and apply engineering proficiencies and durable skills to complement formal degree programs,” said Dora Smith, Senior Director, Future Workforce and Academic Strategy, Siemens Digital Industries Software. “Microcredentials are compressed courses of study that demonstrate proven skills and culminate in a verifiable digital badge. They not only give jobseekers the opportunity to differentiate themselves in a highly competitive landscape but also aid employers in prioritizing candidates with the specific competencies they need.”

Developed by Siemens, the ’Expedite – Skills for Industry’ credential is designed for engineering students and early-career engineers seeking to complement their formal education through the development of in-demand industrial knowledge and professional skills.

The new credential enables learners to connect the theory they’ve gained in the classroom with real-world knowledge focused on product lifecycle management and trending applications of AI, the digital twin, sustainable engineering and the internet of things, according to Siemens. Additionally, the credential introduces and strengthens critical workplace capacities such as collaboration, project management, business processes and solutions and risk management.

To learn more, visit: https://www.sw.siemens.com/en-US/academic/credentials/

Sources: Press materials received from the company and additional information gleaned from the company’s website.