• Four new data analytics microcredential subjects are available as part of the NSW Government’s Technology, Innovation and Entrepreneurship Skills (TIES) grant to Charles Sturt University
• The University has worked closely with IBM to ensure quality microcredentials in data analytics to meet the needs of rural and remote students to upskill in this area
• Fifteen scholarship places will be awarded for each of the four micro-credential subjects in 2023

Charles Sturt University with industry partner IBM has developed four new microcredential subjects in data analytics that are available to study starting in October 2023 and are supported by 15 scholarships in each course.

Microcredentials are short certification courses that allow you to learn new professional skills very quickly at a TAFE or university level as an alternative learning option for those who don’t have the time or money to enrol in a longer qualification.

Charles Sturt Pro Vice-Chancellor (Learning and Teaching) Professor Janelle Wheat (pictured, inset) said the four microcredential subjects are funded as part of the NSW Government’s Technology, Innovation and Entrepreneurship Skills (TIES) grant to Charles Sturt University announced in October 2022.

“The TIES grant enables the University to deliver industry-engaged and co-designed microcredentials and short courses specifically tailored to the needs of particular industries and sectors in the regions,” Professor Wheat said.

“There’s an urgent need to address the ‘digital divide’ experienced by regional NSW, particularly the deficit in information technology (IT) skills.

“The University’s microcredentials team has been working closely with IBM and our academics to ensure quality microcredentials in data analytics are developed and designed to meet the needs of rural and remote prospective students who want to upskill in this area.”

Part of the project is about addressing skills shortages, particularly for regional NSW industries, through the development of customised data analytics and visualisation microcredentials to boost skills, innovation and productivity.

Professor Wheat said the University held a co-creation workshop with industry in April to determine where the gaps lay and the most appropriate topics to meet industry needs.

As a result, four microcredential subjects in data analytics will be offered for the first time at the commencement of Session 84 (starting Monday 16 October 2023):

• Data driven storytelling (School of Information and Communication Studies)
• Data analytics for non-data minds (School of Computing, Mathematics and Engineering)
• Data analytics for business success (School of Computing, Mathematics and Engineering)
• Data analysis and insights (School of Business)

“Our partnership with IBM is strong and the use of their plug-in content to enhance the micro content and their expertise in this space should be a real drawcard to these micros as well,” Professor Wheat said.

Fifteen scholarship places will be awarded for each of the four microcredential subjects in 2023 and will be offered again in 2024 with the same number of scholarships available.

Professor Wheat said in addition to the four microcredentials being offered, the grant will see the Science, Technology and Health Direct Entry Program rolled out to a diverse cohort for a one-week intensive course in December 2023, with five further offerings in 2024.

“The aim is to widen participation for diversity cohorts, particularly in relation to science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) studies,” she said.

“The target market includes those with disabilities; women; first-in-family; First Nations and regional and remote.”

See more information and apply for a place in the four new microcredential subjects in data analytics.