80 I NT E R V I EW Bridging the employability gap Microsoft’s Ryan Cunningham and PMI’s Sam Sibley reveal how the new Power Platform University Hub is helping students with low-code training With technology becoming a critical part in almost every element of an organisation’s operations, the demand for employees who can innovate and solve technology-related business problems has increased dramatically within the last few years. As such, universities are turning to low-code and citizen development training to help boost their students’ employability. That’s why Microsoft has partnered with the Project Management Institute (PMI) to create the new Power Platform University Hub, a global programme that teaches students to solve business problems with low-code solutions. The initiative provides students at participating universities with the ability to take PMI Citizen Developer and Microsoft Power Platform courses. Students can complete the curriculum and take the respective exams to earn certifications which highlight their critical skills and future employability. “The Power Platform University Hub provides students with an integrated curriculum focused on the power of using low-code platforms to accelerate digital transformation,” says Ryan Cunningham, vice president of Power Apps at Microsoft. “Students in the programme are granted access to a learning journey that includes more than a dozen courses. Courses span topics like low-code development and analytics tools. Students who successfully complete the curriculum can earn two certifications: a PMI Citizen Developer Trained Practitioner Micro-Credential and a PL-100 Microsoft Power Platform App Maker certification.” Power Platform University Hub was launched on 29 November 2022 and will be used in universities and colleges around the world to promote low-code knowledge and appbuilding skills. Students who complete the course curriculum will have the knowledge and skill set to streamline processes, gain efficiencies, improve data intelligence and help drive organisational digital transformation, making them more attractive to prospective employers. “PMI has been working with Microsoft on the Power Platform since June 2021,” says Sam Sibley, global heal of citizen developer at PMI. “It’s been exciting to partner with Microsoft and bring our expertise in citizen development best BY A L I C E CHAMB E R S “ Students will be more attractive to potential employers with the skills needed to successfully achieve digital transformation in the workplace” RYAN CUNNINGHAM, MICROSOFT
RkJQdWJsaXNoZXIy NzQ1NTk=