Building a Workforce for the Software Economy

Being able to continue providing the quality products and services our customers demand starts with our employees. We must have the skilled, prepared talent that can meet and exceed the challenges of our business.

We’ve turned to innovative work-and-learn programs to help our current and future employees adapt to the ever-changing world of technology. These programs provide a new and innovative way to help address a rapid overhaul of our employees’ skills.

Through our AT&T Aspire program, we joined with Udacity to create the first Nanodegree program – a credential that provides students with industry-relevant technology skills in various competencies. Today, ten Nanodegree programs are offered including Tech Entrepreneur, Front-End Developer, Data Analyst, Full Stack Web Developer, iOS Developer, Introduction to Programming, Android Developer and Beginning iOS App Development.

In January 2014, we teamed up with Georgia Tech and Udacity to launch the first-ever online Master of Science in Computer Science (OMS CS) delivered in the massive online format and at a fraction of the on-campus cost. For about $7,000, students can earn an advanced degree from a world-renowned university and never set foot in a physical classroom.

By using the power of our network to build a better tomorrow, these programs are one of the ways we are investing in innovative education solutions, and employing technology and capabilities that to make learning more accessible.

This week, the Business Roundtable, through the National Network of Business and Industry Associations that it co-leads with ACT Foundation, featured our Nanodegree program as one of 15 work-and-learn programs that can serve as models for success. Click here to read more about the Nanodegree program and other programs in Work-and-Learn in Action.

Click here to watch the full Business Roundtable interview with our chairman, Randall Stephenson.