Empowering Youth with AI Skills: ASA's Collaboration with IBM
American Student Assistance (ASA), a national nonprofit organization dedicated to revolutionizing career education for young people, has recently unveiled an exciting partnership with IBM SkillsBuild. This collaboration marks a significant expansion of ASA's EvolveMe digital career readiness platform, launched in 2023. With the aim of cultivating essential skills in artificial intelligence (AI) and other technological areas, this initiative seeks to better prepare teens for the future job market.
The EvolveMe platform is a free skill-building and career exploration resource that encourages youth aged 13 to 18 to take proactive steps toward their career interests. By integrating select courses and content from IBM SkillsBuild, ASA is enriching the platform, enabling it to offer a broader range of educational opportunities. The IBM SkillsBuild program is designed to provide users with free access to technology education, emphasizing the importance of AI skills in today's economy.
What This Collaboration Means for Teens
Under this partnership, EvolveMe users will gain access to an array of 20 engaging learning activities that cover crucial topics such as AI, UX design, and cybersecurity. Clay Colarusso, CMO and SVP of Digital Strategy at ASA, highlighted the growing necessity for both technical and durable skills, which are vital for enhancing employability. With this initiative, ASA aims to pilot tech-based skill-building content on the Skillsline platform, which focuses on teaching essential human skills.
Lydia Logan, IBM's Global Vice President for Education and Workforce Development, emphasizes the importance of equipping young individuals with skills relevant to the evolving workforce landscape. The integration of IBM SkillsBuild into the EvolveMe platform allows for personalized and accessible learning experiences that empower students with vital AI competencies, setting them up for success in an increasingly digitized world.
Course Offerings Available in EvolveMe
The partnership introduces a range of innovative learning activities that cover various aspects of AI and digital literacy, including:
- - Applying Artificial Intelligence
- - Introduction to AI
- - Run AI Models with IBM Watson Studio
- - Digital Literacy: Understanding Digital Data
- - Introduction to UX Design
- - Cybersecurity Fundamentals
Furthermore, students can look forward to additional courses such as 'Your Future in AI: The Job Landscape' and 'AI Ethics' coming soon to the platform. These offerings are part of IBM SkillsBuild’s extensive catalog of over 1,000 free courses across several critical areas, including cloud technology and cybersecurity. Participants can also earn IBM-branded digital credentials, enhancing their employability in the workforce.
ASA’s Mission and its Impact
American Student Assistance's mission extends beyond simply providing educational resources; it focuses on transforming how young people understand their strengths, navigate career options, and prepare for the future. The EvolveMe platform serves as a powerful ecosystem that encourages self-discovery, allowing students to explore potential careers through various innovative experiences.
Currently, ASA offers a suite of digital experiences, including Futurescape®, which guides students through career explorations, and Next Voice™, which empowers youth to advocate for issues impacting their lives. By connecting these tools with new opportunities from IBM, ASA is further solidifying its commitment to prepare the next generation for a successful future.
Recognizing the importance of career readiness, ASA continues to drive access to vital educational experiences, ensuring that all students have the resources they need to thrive in a rapidly changing world. For more details about ASA and its initiatives, you can visit
www.asa.org/about-asa. This collaboration with IBM not only enhances the EvolveMe platform but also addresses the urgent need for a workforce equipped with the skills essential for modern careers.
With this strategic partnership, ASA and IBM are paving the way for a brighter, more prepared future for our youth, ensuring they are equipped to embrace the challenges and opportunities that the evolving job market presents.