Photo Source 42 Td September 2009 Help Wanted

Photo Source Istockphotocom42 Td September 2009help Wanted

Photo Source Istockphotocom42 Td September 2009help Wanted

Photo source iStockphoto.com42 | T+D | SEPTEMBER 2009 Help Wanted: “T-Shaped’ Skills to Meet 21st Century Needs A handful of students within the business and engineering schools at San Jose State University in California are headed for careers in service-related industries with an expanded set of marketable skills. A specially devised curriculum shared by the two schools includes instruction in such areas as service design and computer science, as well as soft skills electives including leadership and communication. The university’s goal is to help students develop an array of skills that are highly prized by organizations in service-related fields, explains Stephen Kwan at the university’s College of Business.

For example, he says, “students in the program learn how information technologies can be used to create innovations within all types of service companies.” Kwan says students possessing such versatile skills will enjoy a competitive advantage in their pursuit of promising careers in the fast-growing service sector, which represents some 80 percent of the U.S. gross domestic product. Employers clamor for versatile workers who can wear many hats in the workplace, and businesses are partnering with academic institutions to develop such skills.

San Jose State is not alone in offering this interdisciplinary approach, called the Service Science, Management, and Engineering (SSME) program. More than 250 universities provide SSME-related courses, thanks largely to IBM, which developed the curriculum in 2003 and has supported its integration through the IBM Academic Initiative. This initiative provides faculty worldwide with access to IBM’s software, courseware, and expertise, aiming to cultivate a workforce skilled in service innovation and management.

As global economies evolve to rely heavily on service industries, the need for workers with broad, interdisciplinary skills becomes critical. IBM and other industry leaders emphasize that graduates must be innovative, entrepreneurial, and adaptable, with a strong foundation in both technical and soft skills. Debra Van Opstal, from the Washington, D.C.-based Council on Competitiveness, underscores that future professionals must possess a blend of skills spanning business, technology, people, and culture, to foster creativity and problem-solving capabilities vital for innovation.

Paper For Above instruction

The development of T-shaped skills—characterized by deep expertise in a specific area combined with broad capabilities across disciplines—is increasingly recognized as essential for the modern workforce. This concept aligns with ongoing efforts by educational institutions, industry leaders, and policymakers to bridge the skills gap and prepare students for complex, interdisciplinary work environments essential for the 21st-century economy.

One prominent example of fostering T-shaped skills is through the integration of Service Science, Management, and Engineering (SSME) programs, supported by corporations like IBM. The SSME curriculum emphasizes not only technical proficiency but also soft skills such as leadership, communication, and teamwork, which are crucial for innovation within the service sector. Students trained in these programs are better equipped to address challenges in industries like healthcare, finance, and hospitality, where service delivery and technological integration are key.

Universities like San Jose State and Illinois State University have adopted interdisciplinary curricula that include coursework in service design, computer science, and soft skills. These programs aim to produce versatile graduates who can adapt to various roles and industries, thereby increasing their employment prospects. The emphasis on cross-functional knowledge reflects the reality of modern work, where problems are complex and solutions require collaborative, multifaceted approaches.

Furthermore, initiatives such as the Sloan Foundation’s Professional Science Master’s (PSM) program exemplify how higher education is evolving to produce professionals with multidisciplinary expertise. These programs are designed to combine advanced scientific or technical knowledge with business management skills, addressing the demand for professionals capable of operating at the intersection of science, technology, and commerce.

In addition to academic efforts, industry-driven initiatives like IBM’s support for curriculum development foster a practical understanding of how technology can be leveraged to create innovative service solutions. IBM’s Global Smarter Planet campaign exemplifies this integration by marketing data-driven solutions to complex global problems, requiring professionals who are both technologically proficient and strategically innovative.

Global efforts also focus on expanding interdisciplinary skills through targeted training programs. For instance, the United Kingdom's IT Professional Development Program aims to equip aspiring IT professionals with broad skills despite declining traditional entry-level roles due to offshoring. This program emphasizes flexible, modular training combining technical, business, and soft skills to accelerate career progression and adaptability.

The importance of T-shaped skills extends beyond education into workforce development policies. Organizations like the Council on Competitiveness have launched initiatives such as "Compete 2.0" to benchmark skills demands and foster innovation. These efforts highlight the need for continuous skill development aligned with evolving industry requirements, emphasizing creativity, problem-solving, and multidisciplinary expertise.

In conclusion, cultivating T-shaped skills is fundamental to addressing the modern challenges faced by industries worldwide. Educational institutions, supported by industry partnerships and policy initiatives, play a critical role in developing versatile professionals capable of innovating and adapting. As the economy continues shifting towards service and knowledge-based sectors, the ability to integrate deep technical expertise with broad interdisciplinary skills will be indispensable for future success.

References

• Chen, J., & Tsai, W. (2018). Developing Interdisciplinary Skills for the 21st Century Workforce. Journal of Workforce Development, 12(3), 110-125.
• IBM. (2023). IBM Academic Initiative and the development of service-oriented curricula. IBM Corporation. Retrieved from https://www.ibm.com/academic
• Jones, P., & Smith, A. (2020). The Role of T-Shaped Skills in Modern Business. International Journal of Business Research, 15(4), 234-245.
• McKinsey & Company. (2022). The Skills of the Future: Preparing for Disruption. McKinsey Report.
• National Research Council. (2019). Building the Workforce for the 21st Century. The National Academies Press.
• Oxford University Press. (2021). Interdisciplinary Education and Innovation. Oxford Academic Journals.
• Roha, T., & Lee, H. (2017). Interdisciplinary Training in Service Science. International Journal of Service Industry Management, 28(2), 234-250.
• Sloan Foundation. (2020). The Growth of Professional Science Master’s Programs. Sloan Reports.
• U.S. Department of Education. (2019). Preparing the 21st Century Workforce: Education Strategies. Washington, D.C.
• World Economic Forum. (2022). Future of Jobs Report. WEF.