Can learning sprints prepare stay-at-home moms and other virtual workers to seize digital opportunities with online data analytics, reporting, and coaching skills? 

The need for individuals who are skilled to assist companies in enhancing their digital infrastructure for both customer-facing and internal operations, was intensified by the pandemic, particularly in industries like healthcare and education (Digital Jobs and Digital Skills, 2022). Along with the growth in the digital economy market is the growth in applications for remote work—as LinkedIn reports an increase from 1.4% in February 2020 to 24.6% in February 2022 (Counts, 2022). However, not everyone benefits from this overall change in the labor market. As the world experiences a growing trend towards higher levels of educational attainment, low-skilled workers who are unable to adapt to new technologies and working methods would not fair well in an increased competition for jobs compared to those who had relatively better education and training (Changing Demand for Skills in Digital Economies and Societies, 2021). Thus, upskilling or learning industry-relevant skills would be the best course of action in the face of rapid technological transformation (Chen-Delantar, 2021).

Learning Outcomes

Every Tuesday and Thursday last February 2023, Eskwelabs facilitated a Mentor Preparation Sprint for Data Literacy Skillscourse or DLS Graduates. The program was implemented through the participation of Eskwelabs team members as project coaches and mentors.

The learners’ data projects showcased their ability to analyze complex datasets, identify patterns and trends, and communicate insights in a compelling manner. 

Learners also had the opportunity to roleplay scenarios and develop learner personas to help them create a more personalized and effective mentoring experience.

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The program attained a Net Promoter Score of 100%, demonstrating the enthusiasm of learners for both the sprint’s powerful data technical skills and the soft skills needed to be an Eskwelabs mentor.

The Mentor Preparation Sprint at Eskwelabs is highly regarded for its interactive and hands-on approach to learning. As one of the learners, I appreciated the opportunity to apply what I learned through role-playing and case studies, and found the mentorship persona exercises to be particularly helpful in understanding how to effectively mentor others. The sprint also provided valuable insights on how to develop good data analysis questions and conduct data-driven research. Overall, I felt that the sprint was a valuable experience that equipped me with the knowledge and skills necessary to become an effective mentor in the future.
- MPS Cohort 1 Learner

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Looking Ahead

The inexorable rise of the digital economy and remote work have intensified the demand for a workforce adept at navigating the complexitiesof an increasingly complex landscape. As a consequence, workers with limited exposure to cutting-edge technologies and modern working methodologies are at a distinct disadvantage. This pressing issue has driven the need for novel approaches to upskilling and learning industry-relevant skills, enabling workers to not only survive, but thrive in a rapidly transforming labor market.

One such approach, exemplified by the Mentor Preparation Sprint for Data Literacy Skills course offered by Eskwelabs, facilitates the acquisition of both technical and soft skills through an immersive and engaging learning experience based on peer learning. This learning sprint can serve as a model for future initiatives, paving the way for peer-based learning and human activity to flourish in an AI-enabled world. Such a program could be replicated for other groups and industries that are exposed to intense needs for reskilling into digital skills and remote working competence.

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. 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.

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_{Changing demand for skills in digital economies and societies: Literature review and case studies from low- and middle-income countries. (2021). International Labour Organization.}

_{Chen-Delantar, A. C. (2021, December 1). Too Much to Learn, Too Little Time. https://learningsprints.eskwelabs.com/blog/too-much-to-learn-too-little-time}

_{Counts, S. (2022, August 5). Who Gets to Work in the Digital Economy? Harvard Business Review. https://hbr.org/2022/08/who-gets-to-work-in-the-digital-economy}

_{Digital Jobs and Digital Skills: A Shifting Landscape in Asia and in the Pacific. (2022). Asian Development Bank.}