What is YESNet Digital Skills Development Program?
The YESNet Digital Skills Development Program aims to bridge the skills gap in the Canadian labor market by offering individuals access to online self-paced learning platforms. This initiative facilitates skill enhancement and professional development to meet the evolving demands of the job market.
On these platforms, you will have access to content that will help with technical upskilling to help advance and developing professional and job readiness skills to prepare them for their job search. Additionally, you will have the opportunity to earn digital micro-credentials to enhance their professional portfolios.
Platforms included in the YESNet Digital Skills Development program:
IBM SkillsBuild is a cutting-edge online learning platform that provides learners with access to an extensive range of resources and trainings related to technology and professional skill development. This platform is designed to equip you with the knowledge and technical skills required to pursue a successful career in the dynamic, and rapidly evolving, tech industry.
IBM has partnered with YES to grant individuals premium access to IBM SkillsBuild. By registering on this platform through YES, you can access 1,000+ courses on IBM, and in some cases you can request licenses to take courses from Udemy and Coursera through IBM SkillsBuild, free of cost. Courses are tailored to meet industry standards and job market needs, ensuring you acquire high demand skills with up-to-date and relevant content provided by industry experts
You will have the valuable opportunity to earn micro-credentials from IBM, which will be issued through Credly. These micro-credentials serve as a verification of the courses completed and provides tangible evidence of skills acquired, which can then be used to enhance your professional portfolios.
Job Readiness and Professional Skills content is also available to teach you how to effectively market your new skills, optimize your job search with modernized strategies, and navigate a professional work environment to progress in your career.
Additional features:
Immerse yourself in hands-on labs and activities to actively apply and refine your newly acquired skills for an engaging learning experience!
Complete MyInnerGenius career assessments which will guide you towards personalized learning pathways that match your unique knowledge and skillset.
Gain access to the IBM SkillsBuild Community forum, where you can participate in insightful discussions and receive support from a diverse network of peers, mentors, and industry professionals.
Complete learning plans designed to teach you the fundamental knowledge for careers the following in-demand job roles; customer service representative, cybersecurity analyst, data analyst, UX designer, IT support technician, project manager, designer, and web developer.
Premium Content: Request a Udemy and/or Coursera license from YES to explore Udemy courses on IBM SkillsBuild and access all IBM content on Coursera for free with a YES-registered IBM SkillsBuild account. More details provided during orientation session.
Experiential, Cohort-based Learning Opportunities with SkillUp: IBM SkillsBuild has partnered with training provider, SkillUp, to deliver IBM Fundamental courses in Cybersecurity, AI & Machine Learning, and Data Analytics to provide participants with the flexibility of self-paced online learning with hands-on support and encouragement from cohort-based learning.
Accenture Skills to Succeed Learning Exchange
Accenture Skills to Succeed Learning Exchange is a self-paced online learning platform dedicated to enhancing the professional skills of learners, empowering them to excel in their job search and advance their careers across various industries.
Accenture has partnered with YES to offer the Skills to Succeed Learning Exchange platform for free to provide a wide range of courses and resources that cater to the specific needs of individuals at any level in their career, equipping them with the necessary knowledge and skills to thrive in today's competitive job market!
Accenture branches beyond training in technology to offer courses to prepare you for careers in:
Entrepreneurship
Software Engineering
IT Customer Support
Health Technology and Administration
Retail Industry
In addition to job readiness and professional development training, Accenture offers foundational skills courses and resources which not only improve your employability, but are essential skills used to navigate every day life. The main focus areas include:
Financial Literacy
Technology and Digital Literacy
Digital Literacy (Enhanced)
Digital Transformation in Business
Future of Work
English as a Second Language
General Education Development (GED)
Typing
AWS Educate
AWS Educate is a comprehensive self-paced online learning platform dedicated to providing specialized training in Cloud Computing. It offers a wide range of resources from Amazon Web Services (AWS), recognized as the top cloud services provider. The platform is designed to be user-friendly, with content that is highly focused on educating individuals about various aspects of cloud computing careers, catering to professionals at all stages of their career journey.
By enrolling in AWS Educate, you benefit from the following:
Engaging and easy-to-follow content designed with learning pathways to help you prepare for AWS certifications, ranging from the fundamentals to advanced levels.
Earn digital credentials, managed and verified by Credly, to add credibility to the skills and knowledge acquired through your self-paced learning journey.
Utilize free credits to access a wide range of AWS services.
Hands-on labs that allow you to practice and showcase your newly acquired skills in the AWS Management Console.
Access to the AWS Educate Job Board, where students can find internships and job opportunities from AWS and its partners.
Green Skills Passport by EY & Microsoft
The Green Skills Passport by EY and Microsoft is a self-paced online learning platform designed to equip individuals, particularly youth and marginalized communities, with essential green skills for a sustainable future. The program's module-based structure covers various aspects of sustainability, allowing participants to build foundational knowledge gradually. Each module is designed for micro-learning—short and focused—making it easier for learners to understand key topics without extensive time commitments.
The platform includes interactive and engaging content, such as videos, quizzes, and real-life case studies, ensuring that complex concepts are easily understood and retained. Participants can engage with the material at their own pace, balancing learning with other commitments. By completing this program, learners gain practical, in-demand skills and earn a recognized digital credential, supporting them in contributing to sustainability goals and enhancing their career prospects in the green economy.
Key Features
Essential Sustainability Skills: Builds knowledge in sustainability aligned with global goals.
Enhanced Employability: Equips participants with in-demand green skills.
Flexible, Accessible Learning: Self-paced, online, and free for wide accessibility.
Recognized Credential: Provides a digital credential for professional profiles.
Program Outline
Introduction to Sustainability and Green Skills
Overview of sustainability concepts and the importance of green skills.
Introduction to global sustainability frameworks, such as the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
Climate Change Fundamentals
Basic principles of climate science.
Impacts of climate change on global and local scales.
Role of individuals and businesses in combating climate change.
Sustainable Business Practices
Principles of sustainable business management.
Strategies for integrating sustainability into business operations.
Real-world examples of sustainable practices in industries.
Green Innovation and Technology
Exploration of new green technologies and innovations.
Role of technology in reducing environmental impact.
Introduction to concepts like renewable energy, carbon footprint reduction, and circular economy.
Environmental Policy and Regulation
Overview of environmental laws and policies.
Role of government and regulatory bodies in promoting sustainability.
How policies impact industries and communities.
Sustainability in Everyday Life
Practical tips for adopting sustainable habits.
How individuals can contribute to a greener lifestyle.
Resources for continued learning and activism.
Completion and Digital Credentialing
Upon finishing all modules, participants receive a digital credential.
Guidance on showcasing the credential on LinkedIn and other professional platforms.
to request a YES-registered IBM SkillsBuild account. You can also choose access to any of the YESNet-partnered platforms, including Accenture Skills to Succeed, AWS Educate, and Green Skills Passport. After submitting the form, you will receive instructions on registering for these platforms. Remember, registration for IBM SkillsBuild must be done by YES staff, so please do not register yourself.
If you have any questions or concerns, please contact the YESNet Digital Skills Program Coordinator at ljadoonaut@yes.on.ca.