Training and Further Education Offers

Cost concerns with technology education programs

Job seekers, students, and career changers around the world are pursuing jobs in mathematics, computer science, science, and technology (STEM), but feel uncertain about career options. At the same time, online courses and digital certificates and degrees are gaining traction as a recognized path to new career opportunities. This is especially true in 2023, as a majority of respondents are open to changing jobs and plan to look for a new job this year. These are just some of the findings from a skills study presented by IBM. The study, commissioned by IBM, was conducted by Morning Consult in 13 countries, including Germany. It is based on more than 14,000 interviews worldwide with people who are studying, looking for a new job or looking for a career change. 

"Education or training in a technology profession can significantly change the trajectory of a person's life," says Justina Nixon-Saintil, IBM chief impact officer. "There are still many misconceptions about what it takes to succeed in today's fast-paced workforce. That's why we want to show that there are great jobs in technology and science in many industries. Together with our IBM SkillsBuild partners, we're showing how many pathways exist for even underrepresented populations to pursue careers in tech."

Perceptions and possibilities

The Skills Study by IBM and Morning Consult shows that there are misconceptions about the opportunities for technology education and training for jobs in a wide range of industries. It is representative of the views of students, career changers and job seekers interested in working in science, technology, engineering and math. 

Many respondents are not sure which occupations are considered STEM occupations. For example, in the case of a software developer, only slightly more than half of German respondents perceive that software development is a STEM occupation. Forty-nine percent of respondents fear that they will not be able to find a STEM occupation that pays enough to support themselves and their families. Most respondents believe there are fewer STEM jobs in their community than in other places. 81 percent of respondents who have earned a digital education credential believe it has helped them achieve their career goals, and 75 percent of all respondents in Germany, as well as globally, believe digital credentials are a good complement to traditional education.

Better career opportunities and qualifications were the main reasons respondents said they wanted to earn digital certificates. For students, the most important factor in considering earning a digital credential is whether the program is from a reputable company. Job seekers and career changers cite the cost of the program as the most important factor.