IBM SkillsBuild

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Wikipedia

IBM SkillsBuild
URLhttps://skillsbuild.org

IBM SkillsBuild is a free global education and digital skilling program developed by International Business Machines Corporation (IBM). It provides online learning resources, project-based training, and industry-recognized credentials to adult learners, high school and university students, and educators. The program is delivered through an open online platform as well as through customized experiences with a network of partner organizations worldwide.

History

IBM has maintained a long-standing involvement in education and workforce development. Company founder Thomas J. Watson Sr. emphasized learning as a path to personal and professional advancement, stating that “there is no saturation point in education.” Throughout its history, IBM has invested in primary and secondary education initiatives to equip students with skills relevant to the evolving labor market. [1]

IBM SkillsBuild was launched in 2020 as part of the company’s broader efforts to expand access to free digital education and close global skills gaps. It builds on earlier IBM education initiatives such as Pathways in Technology Early College High Schools (P-TECH).

In October 2021, IBM announced a commitment to provide skills training to 30 million people worldwide by 2030. [2] In September 2023, the company pledged to train two million learners in AI by the end of 2026. [3] In February 2025, IBM expanded the SkillsBuild program to include AI training for university student developers. [4] Later that year, in September 2025, IBM pledged to train two million people in the United States in AI skills by 2028. [5]

Courses

IBM SkillsBuild offers over 1,000 free courses in 20 languages, covering topics such as cybersecurity, data analysis, project management, and many other technical disciplines, as well as workplace skills like design thinking and problem-solving. Completion of courses earns IBM-branded digital credentials. [6]

In recent years, IBM SkillsBuild has expanded its curriculum to focus on artificial intelligence (AI) and related technologies. The program includes courses and badges in areas such as AI ethics, natural language processing, machine learning, computer vision, and generative AI. [7]

The platform also offers a range of learning experiences, varying in length and format. These include:

  • Short, self-paced introductions such as "AI Skills in Less Than 1 Hour" for beginners [8]
  • Multi-hour or multi-week structured learning paths [9]
  • Experiential learning labs [10]
  • Cohort-based offerings, including guided learning experiences that can range from 1 to 12 weeks, which combine online modules with optional live sessions [11]

Through these layered offerings, learners can build AI literacy and technical competencies at different levels of depth and duration.

See also

References

  1. ↑ "Education at IBM | IBM". www.ibm.com. Retrieved 2025-09-18.
  2. ↑ Burke, Lilah (2021-10-14). "What does it mean to skill 30 million people? IBM looks to find out". Work Shift. Retrieved 2025-09-27.
  3. ↑ "IBM Commits to Train 2 Million AI Learners for Free by 2026 -". Campus Technology. Retrieved 2025-09-27.
  4. ↑ "IBM Launches AI Skills Program to Bridge University Talent Gap | Insight Into Academia". insightintoacademia.com. 2025-04-24. Archived from the original on 2025-08-15. Retrieved 2025-09-27.
  5. ↑ House, The White (2025-09-09). "Major Organizations Commit to Supporting AI Education". The White House. Retrieved 2025-09-27.
  6. ↑ Starner, Tom (2021-04-11). "IBM SkillsBuild". HR Executive. Retrieved 2025-10-05.
  7. ↑ "This free AI training from IBM could boost your resume in 10 hours". ZDNET. Retrieved 2025-11-03.
  8. ↑ "AI Skills in less than 1 hour". IBM SkillsBuild. Retrieved 2025-11-03.
  9. ↑ "Artificial Intelligence". IBM SkillsBuild. Retrieved 2025-11-03.
  10. ↑ "Featured courses". IBM SkillsBuild. Retrieved 2025-11-03.
  11. ↑ "Develop Skills With Free Online Events". IBM SkillsBuild. Retrieved 2025-11-03.

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