#4 - Frank Cicio, Founder of iQ4

Topics discussed in this episode include:

Opening discussion of Experiential Education in general and need from the perspective of higher educationEarly history of iQ4 starting with STEM and moving to cybersecurity in trying to solve the skills-gap problem for students and for employers using technology in a world that is continuing to turning virtual.Realization that iQ4 was building a Learning Management Platform for skills using student teams and project-based learning, but also fitting it for higher education.The iQ4 passport documentation and the underlying skills taxonomy in cybersecurity.  How it acts as a human barcode to synchronize where students are and what is needed for government/industry jobs.Serves applied knowledge and apprenticeship learning in a way that is organized, using virtual mentors for many students and job seekers and partners with academic learning.  The course structure generates “soft-skills” such as teamwork.Now exists inside and outside universities but always focused on employability with a menu of options in a way that is flexible to academia.Going to scale as the technology is automated.  Allows iQ4 to launch the current Virtual Apprenticeship Challenge of putting 10,000 students through cyber training/education in the next 3 years on a global basis.Reduce corporate training time and job security for those who are hired. So, asking the hiring companies to sponsor the students for a small fraction of that cost.Platform model facilitates partnering with universities, working with companies, to bridge the skills gap with technology and solve a big problem for the future in this and other areas.

Resources Discussed in this Episode:

iQ4 company website  National Standards in CybersecurityUniversity at Albany SUNYQueens College CUNYNortheastern UniversityiQ4’s virtual apprenticeship challenge

Music Credits: C’est La Vie by Derek Clegg