ABET, a global leader in quality assurance of higher education and professional programs, is pleased to announce a collaboration with Siemens Digital Industries Software to support career readiness and enhance the quality of alternative certification programs.
Siemens, renowned for its innovation and excellence in industry and engineering, has long been at the forefront of technological advancements and sustainability practices. ABET, established in 1932, is a nonprofit, ISO 9001-certified quality assurance organization focused on college, university and professional programs in the science, technology, engineering and math (STEM) disciplines. Both organizations are committed to maintaining high standards of quality and excellence in education and industry.
ABET will establish a rigorous quality evaluation process for industry certificates, with Siemens’ certificate program participating in a pilot of this quality review process. The goal is to validate industry knowledge and skills, aligning with the missions of both Siemens and ABET to empower the future workforce with essential digital skills.
“We are thrilled to venture into this new frontier of education and emphasize the importance of lifelong learning,” said Dr. Michael K. J. Milligan, CEO of ABET. “Siemens, as a leading global technology organization, has the capability to influence many learners through their established network. Their partnership with us is a testament to their confidence in our ability to build robust quality assurance mechanisms. Siemens’ certificate program is designed to supplement formal degrees by validating essential industry skills, thereby creating a stronger pipeline of STEM talent.”
Dora Smith, Senior Director, Global Academic and Startup Strategy at Siemens Digital Industries Software, emphasized the program’s significance: “The World Economic Forum’s ‘Future of Jobs’ report highlights that 60% of businesses are hindered by skill gaps in their local labor markets. Siemens’ certificate program seeks to bridge this gap by providing industry-recognized certificates, addressing talent acquisition needs, and strengthening the talent pipeline.”
ABET will pilot its quality assurance review process with various certificate programs from academic institutions, professional societies and industry. While participation in the pilot does not guarantee recognition, the certificate offerors will gain valuable insight into the effectiveness of their certificate programs.
The second round of pilots (first round with industry) will feature Siemens’ sustainability certificate program, in collaboration with the University of Colorado Boulder (CU Boulder), on Design for the Circular Economy. This collaboration will allow ABET to refine its process and Siemens to enhance their certificate. We are particularly excited about collaborating with Siemens, a leader in industry innovation, to set new standards in quality assurance, supporting student success and increasing global opportunities.