September 11, 2019

Goodwin College of Professional Studies is excited to launch The Skills Hub — a continuous learning community that connects businesses and professionals to skill development opportunities. Now, adult learners have the opportunity and flexibility of enrolling in single courses or professional learning pathways, preparing them for career advancement in today’s ever-changing workforce. 

The Skills Hub is the brainchild of Kena Sears-Brown, Director of Workforce Initiatives and Continuing Professional Education. She adds, "The skills gap is real — 62 percent of businesses have adopted a skills-based hiring strategy to attract professionals with technical and non-technical skills to close critical skill gaps. The Skills Hub is designed to build skilled talent pipelines and up-skill current workers in business and industry. We want to prepare all professionals in every career stage to be workforce ready. The Skills Hub meets people where they are to get them where they need be."

Goodwin's assistant dean Tim Gilrain notes, “Our focus has always been to provide education to learners while anticipating change within industry. The launch of The Skills Hub adds to our existing investments already being made in our community.”

The Skills Hub at a Glance

The Skills Hub is a response to business and industry’s need to hire professionals who have hybrid skills (technical and non-technical). Goodwin wants to prepare individuals to succeed in the hybrid job economy—one that demands a combination of skills that aren’t usually found on the same resume (left brain meets right brain). 

According to Burning Glass Technologies, one in four occupations is now highly hybridized, and hybrid roles are expected to grow twice as fast as jobs overall (21 percent versus 10 percent over the next decade). These once coined “soft skills" are now essential skills needed to succeed, remain competitive and employable in today’s workforce.

The Skills Hub has three areas of skill development, which include:

1. Professional Skill Tracks (PSTS) - Foundational, Intermediate and Advanced tracks Essential skills are included in every PST

• Project Management 
• Information Technology
• Lean Six Sigma 
• Business Analysis

2. Workforce Bootcamps - Short, in-demand courses to meet learners wherever they are in their career (new to the workforce, mid-level and seasoned or career-changer).