FutureNotes are case studies of partnerships at Eskwelabs. These notes highlight the importance and success of our learning formats in getting people ready for the future of work. We invite universities, government agencies, and businesses to learn about how our sprints work and how they have made an impact on those who have previously gone through them.

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Why would a university be interested in a partnership with a data science bootcamp for their undergraduate degrees in education?

In this issue, we highlight how Eskwelabs built a partnership to enable learners from the University of Nueva Caceres (UNC) in Naga City, Bicol. The partnership helped final year undergraduates from the College of Education develop data skills to complement their current studies and endow them with maximum employability in a competitive labour market.

According to HolonIQ, higher education is at the heart of a long term transition. Post-COVID digital transformation, demographic enrolment declines, degree unbundling, hyper-competition (online and offline) and reduced funding are among some of the biggest challenges facing colleges and universities around the world. At the same time, low-code/no-code tools are starting to make advanced technical skills available across all professions, requiring learning solutions that can keep pace with the change in the pace of work. Starting in 2010, universities all around the world have started to work with bootcamps to keep pace with fast-changing technical fields. A growing number of international institutions have collectively established 2,627 partnerships with online program management, bootcamp, or pathway providers which created 15,000 programs. Eskwelabs builds live cohort-based learning experiences and communities that upskill people with work-like projects. And we count ourselves as one of the pioneers of the university and bootcamp partnership movement. 

Learning Outcomes

Across one month in late 2022, Eskwelabs facilitated a data analytics and literacy bootcamp for 112 learners including 4 faculty members and 108 students from the College of Education majoring in English, Social Studies, Physical Education, Filipino, and Science. The program was implemented, like other Eskwelabs bootcamps, through the participation of corporate professionals as project coaches, career mentors, and instructors.

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Over the course of three project modules, known as Learning Sprints, Eskwelabs was able to facilitate students to work in apprenticeship models under industry professionals to create the following deliverables:

• An interactive spreadsheet-based dashboard for future teachers to monitor students
• A quantitative analysis and presentation of education statistics from the Bicol school system
• A data analysis and data storytelling presentation of employee performance in a corporate setting (example shown below)

The program attained a Net Promoter Score of 90%, demonstrating the enthusiasm of learners for both the bootcamp’s practical pedagogy & apprenticeship-based learning model, as well as the accessible but powerful technical skills of data analysis and storytelling.

“During the 1st day, I was afraid of the activities because I have very minimal knowledge of managing spreadsheet - cells, formulas, and other technicalities but through the sprints, I was able to learn sets of data skill which is very relevant because we are in the 21st century and we use cyber technology to engage with others.” - Student, UNC CoE Graduate 2023

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Growing the Partnerships Goals

Not only does a partnership with Eskwelabs bridge skills gaps, but it also creates opportunities for both universities and learners. Based on the success of the sprints at the University of Nueva Caceres and in conversation with decision-makers, we believe the dimensions of partnership wins can be captured below: 

• The university is choosing between building, buying, partnering when it works with alternative vocational skills focused education providers. By choosing to partner, it achieves a higher learning outcomes to cost ratio for learners
• Competitive and employable students can place universities higher in the ranking amongst others and satisfied students can boost university admissions
• The institution’s decision to innovate and prepare its students for the future of work is a university milestone in itself. 
• Eskwelabs’ Learning Sprints reduces pressure on campus infrastructure because we are able to bring future-relevant skills to the students without the overwhelming need to provide onsite spaces for learners.

Looking Ahead

In summary, the case study highlights how a comprehensive program like Eskwelabs’ Learning Sprints can effectively prepare students to be industry-ready and bridge the skills gap in higher education. This mutually beneficial partnership does not end at the conclusion of the sprint as the UNC is still working on tracking graduate outcomes linked to these sprints.

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We’ll be deep diving into our impactful partnerships through the future issues of FutureNotes. To learn more about our learning sprints and how they can benefit your institution, we encourage you to download our Sprint Catalogue below. If your organization is driven by education innovation, collaborate with us and help create a future-ready workforce. Together, we can bridge the skills gap and prepare future generations for the changing nature of work.