Siemens Digital Industries Software announced today that its ‘Design for the Circular Economy (Sustainable Operations pathway)’ microcredential has been recognized by ABET, an ISO 9001 certified quality assurance agency responsible for the accreditation of STEM academic programs, recognition of credentials and assessment of student learning that supports excellence in education worldwide.
This is the first industry credential to receive ABET recognition under its Certificate Recognition Standards. Siemens has helped drive the formalization of ABET’s quality assurance standards for credentials through its participation in a pilot study conducted by ABET.
Siemens developed the microcredential in collaboration with the University of Colorado Boulder. It provides the skills and knowledge needed for technical professionals to serve as key contributors in sustainability initiatives, as well as to prepare them to become future leaders and take on professional sustainability roles. The nine-course learning pathway underwent a robust quality assurance review process by ABET and successfully achieved full recognition.
“Siemens is proud to be the first industrial software company to achieve ABET recognition. Our credential program bridges the gap between academia and industry, and this is a key milestone that illustrates how rigorous quality assurance standards are being met for learning and delivery,” said Dora Smith, senior director, Future Workforce and Academic Strategy, Siemens Digital Industries Software. “ABET’s recognition demonstrates Siemens’ leadership in driving change in engineering education. We look forward to partnering with academia to integrate credentials that support industry readiness and set a new standard in learning to accelerate the development of the engineering workforce of the future.”
“As the landscape of technology and industry continues to evolve rapidly, ABET’s quality assurance of industry credentials plays a key role in enabling learners to gain essential skills and knowledge through high-quality, flexible, accessible programs that meet robust standards for learning. Siemens’ collaboration in the credential recognition pilot has allowed ABET to test its credential standards and review process with a leading industry partner,” said Jessica Silwick, CFO and COO, ABET. “The engagement and feedback from Siemens throughout the process helped to evolve both the standards and the process of review and recognition.”
“Online credentials empower learners to advance their careers by gaining valuable skills and knowledge on their own terms. Accredited certificates, like those developed by Siemens, give individuals confidence that they are staying on the leading edge of competitive fields,” said Dr. Michael Gazarik, Faculty Director of the Lockheed Martin Engineering Management Program at the University of Colorado Boulder.
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