It is quite evident that the ongoing COVID-19 scenario is going to have a significant impact on business and the corporate landscape in the future. Conversations regarding how global unemployment is expected to witness steep increase have been surging and while people are grappling with many job losses across the globe, we are also witnessing the emergence of certain new and unique job roles, arising out of the new demands and economic situation.

A report by McKinsey states that by 2030, 14% of the global workforce will need to transition to newer occupational roles and learn new skills to avoid unemployment. Companies are looking at areas like data science, AI and cybersecurity to withstand possible disruptions in the future and hence, the push towards digital & professional education has become even more critical for students & working professionals to bridge the skill gap, gain a competitive edge and become future-ready. The good news is that improving skills has never been easier. Now with the development of e-learning methods, enrolling for professional short-term online courses can give a job aspirant an edge and equip him/her with the required specialized skill set within a short period of time.

London Business School’s The Entrepreneurial Edge

Starting a business venture is a bold step. Added to the well-documented risks – of failed start-ups and elusive success stories – is the knowledge deficit about the right framework to articulate vision into a successful enterprise. For aspiring entrepreneurs, The Entrepreneurial Edge program assists in evaluating market opportunities and fine-tune the pitch deck while answering the crucial financial questions needed to write a business plan and win over investors.

With master classes and live mentoring sessions, the 12-week intensive program will help learners get an insight into a range of topics and build a strong peer network that will continue to develop beyond the program.

IIMBx MicroMasters Program in Business Management

The present workplace demands highly developed skills in more than just one area of specialisation. No matter which sector anyone is working in, a program in business management will go a long way in making them more effective and accelerate their personal growth.

The MicroMaster Program in Business Management by IIMBx is a 10-month long course that allows learners to virtually experience the essence of IIMB’s management courses. The program gives aspiring managers a comprehensive understanding in areas like accounting, HR, finance, operations, marketing, and strategy. Learners also get the chance to continue their engagement with IIMB with customised on-campus programs.

HarvardX Data Science

Data is becoming crucial for devising a successful business strategy. But data scientists are few in number and high in demand. A report by an EdTech firm states that India will have 1.5 lakh new job openings in data science in 2020, an increase from 62% last year.

Those looking to jumpstart their career in data analysis, business intelligence (BI) and IT applications will benefit from the professional course in data science offered by HaravrdX. The self-paced program utilizes case studies to develop an essential skill set that includes fundamental R programming that is extensively used by data miners and statisticians.

MITxMicroMasters Program in Supply Chain Management

Given the volatile nature of logistics during disruptions, the field of supply chain management is facing a worldwide talent shortage. In fact, a report by Fortune and Materials Handling Institute states that the roles in supply chain management are rapidly increasing by nearly 270,000 opportunities per year. The MITxMicroMasters Program in Supply Chain Management is the go-to knowledge baseline for individuals who want to become supply chain managers and industry insiders looking to strengthen their supply chain profile.

This innovative program comprises of five courses and a capstone exam. The course will impart knowledge of supply chain analytics, design, technology, dynamics, and end-to-end supply chain management.

PGP Cybersecurity & Ethical Hacking

With enterprises looking for cybersecurity experts to safeguard their data from unwanted intrusions, the jobs in this sector have exploded. As per IBM, cybersecurity jobs now account for 13% of all information technology jobs. The sector is expected to create employment opportunities for about a million professionals by 2025 for India.

This Post Graduate Program in Ethical Hacking & Cybersecurity gives students and learners the industry edge in cybersecurity. It is a 3-4 month long self-paced program that teaches industry relevant concepts and skills about data, information and hardware assets and how to protect them from malicious attacks like phishing and ransomware.

In the current COVID-19 scenario, the Indian economy is becoming more & more resilient and a successful leadership can be seen in the way in which everyone is responding quickly and dynamically to set up the building blocks of a futuristic country, with an increased focus on people & talent. Continuous learning and up-gradation of skills has, therefore, become essential for professionals as well as students aspiring to enter the workforce and there is a need for a form of education that is more engaging, more personalized and in line with employers’ demands. In such a situation, short-term courses are an effective and economical solution for individuals to stay ahead and meet the ever-evolving market demands.

By Ramananda SG, Vice President, Sales & Marketing, Pearson India