Major Shift for Higher Education in Prioritizing Flexibility and Maximum Fulfillment

This move to online learning has proven to be not only a place-shift, but also a time-shift and a speed-shift. It allows people to learn at their own pace, but also at their own place.

~ David G. Broz, Gensler Research & Insight, March 2020

The pandemic has challenged many universities and colleges around the world to shift from a traditional campus experience to remote learning. In doing so, higher education has recognized opportunities to rethink the future of successful undergraduate and continuing education.

Virtual learning provides access to a wider audience and more flexibility for both students, staff, and other employees. At the same time, the current economic impact of the pandemic has caused more students to reevaluate the time commitment of four-year programs and instead are considering short, stackable, high-impact training.

What seems clear is the colleges and universities that are agile and question anything ‘traditional’ will be most successful going forward. For example, some institutions are looking to transition to industry-recognized credentials to benefit students in the short and long term. According to PBS, “Short term credentials have been around for decades. But in this economic environment, with skyrocketing traditional college costs now beyond the reach of many, they're having a moment.”

As the demand for short term college programs increases, higher education institutions that prioritize this transition will stand out on application day. With its blend of schedule flexibility and employment impact, signs are showing this hybrid model will drive enrollment for years to come.

For many institutions, one way of adding to their education appeal is to offer certification programs such as Virtanza. Programs in Professional Sales, Sales Management, Sales for Entrepreneurs, and more support the student every step of the way, providing them with high-impact, real-world experiential sales training that prepares them to be job-ready on Day One. As the hybrid model takes hold, innovative training programs like Virtanza will become more critical to delivering an educational experience with a more quantitative payoff.

Author: Grace W., Virtanza Marketing Intern, UOP Program Graduate

Additional Resources: https://www.bdcnetwork.com/blog/we-are-midst-paradigm-shift-higher-education