EdTech Review: Online Learning Platform Springboard Announces Launch of Machine Learning Engineering and AI Bootcamp
Springboard, an online learning platform preparing students to enter in-demand careers, has announced the launch of a new course offering for university partners: a machine learning engineering and AI Bootcamp. The program is designed to teach core skills essential for current and future careers in a hands-on setting.
The curriculum focuses on upskilling students to confidently develop and deploy scalable machine learning models while also exploring ethical considerations. Students learn how to build AI models that are fair, transparent and unbiased. Additionally, the bootcamp dives into advanced topics such as large language models and generative AI through units on deep learning, data preprocessing, natural language processing and computer vision. Participants gain proficiency in popular frameworks and tools such as TensorFlow, Scikit-Learn and AWS.
The bootcamp is designed with busy working professionals in mind. It is flexible and allows students to upskill and advance their careers without enrolling as university students. The first three institutions to offer Springboard courses are the University of California San Diego Extended Studies (UC San Diego Extended Studies), the University of Massachusetts Global (UMass Global), and the University of Maryland Global Campus (UMGC). Enrollment is now open and students can apply anytime to be assigned to an affiliate. Scholarships and financing are available for eligible students, and graduates will receive certificates of completion after finishing the course.
Speaking about the development, Ricardo Lorenzana, Dean & Vice-Chancellor, Partnerships at the UMass Global School of Extended Education, said: “AI is rapidly and dramatically altering the future of education and work, making it increasingly vital for our students to have access to cutting-edge tech learning to secure their dream jobs. We have been thrilled with the success of the Cybersecurity, Data Analytics, Data Science and Software Engineering courses that we offer in partnership with Springboard. We are excited to add a new offering for the most sought-after tech skills into our curriculum.”
As the World Economic Forum predicts that more than 97 million jobs in engineering and research will be generated by 2025, with machine learning and artificial intelligence at the forefront, Springboard and its university partners are helping to prepare students for the future of technology. The popularity of generative AI has raised demand for this type of training, as a recent survey indicated that 65% of Springboard students believe learning how to apply AI to the topic they are studying is very important.
Colin Lumsden, Vice President of Business Development at Springboard, commented: “We are committed to providing our university partners with turn-key solutions they can implement efficiently as AI quickly evolves. Students demand their education adapt at the same pace as new technologies. We are honoured to partner with UC San Diego, UMass Global and UMGC to offer this course, and we look forward to rolling it out further through collaborations with more schools.”
Springboard has so far helped over 20,000 students around the globe build the skills to transform their careers. Their market-driven curriculums are developed by industry professionals with firsthand experience. They consult hiring managers at top tech companies for input on the skills they seek in candidates. Students spend most of their time working on real-world projects and creating portfolios that showcase their passion and demonstrate their abilities to potential employers. They also have regular one-on-one calls with industry mentors and receive guidance from career coaches on building a network and landing a job. About 92% of job-qualified individuals who reported receiving an offer received it within 12 months of graduation from companies such as Amazon, Boeing, IBM and J.P. Morgan.
Teachers looking for new ways to engage and upskill their students can now explore this new AI Bootcamp offering from Springboard for university partners. The program is designed to teach students core skills essential for today’s employment and future careers, while also exploring ethical considerations and learning how to build AI models that are fair, transparent and unbiased. With flexible options, scholarships and financing available, this is an opportunity for students to develop the skills that will set them up for success in the future.
