Develop Job-Ready Graduates with Hands-On Experience for the AI-Driven Workforce

Thursday, October 01, 2026 | 3:15PM–4:15PM MT | EDUCAUSE Commons, Enterprise Hub, Poster Area
Session Type: Poster Session
Delivery Format: Poster Session
Become known for delivering graduates with proven skills in AI, data, cybersecurity, cloud, DevOps, and more. 
 
Today's employers aren't hiring based on diplomas and GPAs alone; they need confidence that their new hire can do the work. Of the organizations surveyed by NACE, 74% cited experiential learning as the top way students can demonstrate capability in skills-based hiring.  
 
Students pursuing technical roles need time at the keyboard doing real work, with real software and scenarios, solving real problems. But how do you deliver that at scale? 
 
Innovative institutions are using hands-on labs that provide the software, infrastructure and licensing across an entire curriculum without blowing the budget or stressing IT. Plus, labs give you performance-based data. See who tries to cruise through on autopilot vs. who genuinely demonstrates mastery. 
 
The result? Students walk into interviews with verified credentials and work samples, while your institution becomes known for graduates who get hired fast. 
 
Learn how Skillable’s hands-on lab platform powers experiential learning programs for universities like WGU and GCU, as well as performance-based certifications for Microsoft, CompTIA, and EC-Council.  
 
Stop by our Poster Session on Thursday, October 1, from 9:30 to 10:30 a.m. or from 3:15 to 4:15 p.m. to hear from Chief Solutions Officer Frank Gartland on how to bridge the gap between education and employment. 

Presenters

  • Frank Gartland

    Chief Solutions Officer, Skillable