ASU equips educators to help build the durable skills students need for the future
ASU ensures teachers can create skill-based learning environments that prepare students for future careers.
As the future of work continues to evolve, durable skills—like collaboration, critical thinking, communication and resilience—are becoming just as vital as academic content. Arizona State University is helping educators put these foundational skills at the center of student learning through innovative tools and flexible professional development.
At the heart of this effort is the ASU Professional Educator Learning Hub, developed by the Mary Lou Fulton College for Teaching and Learning Innovation. The hub offers free, flexible micro-courses and PowerUps that help teachers design skill-based learning environments. Rather than focusing only on subject knowledge, these courses emphasize practical approaches such as:
- Project-based learning for real-world collaboration
- Critical thinking frameworks to encourage analysis and reasoning
- Adaptive learning that builds student resilience
- Communication and leadership training for lifelong confidence
A cornerstone offering is Intro to Durable Skills, a free, hour-long course that introduces educators to 10 key durable skills, along with ideas for immediate classroom implementation.
Beyond K–12, ASU’s CareerCatalyst platform extends this focus to working professionals. The Professional Skills for Everyone series features nine self-paced courses in strategic thinking, effective communication, feedback and coaching—providing pathways for lifelong skill development across industries.
These efforts align with ASU Learning Enterprise’s mission to expand access to high-quality, workforce-relevant learning opportunities at every stage of life. Together, PELH and CareerCatalyst offer a seamless continuum for building durable skills—whether you’re a teacher looking to improve classroom engagement or a learner building your career.
Looking ahead, ASU will expand the offerings in both platforms, with new professional learning content launching in 2025 to meet growing educator demand for flexible, impactful development.
By equipping educators with strategies for teaching durable skills, ASU is ensuring that students are not just prepared for the next test—but ready to lead, adapt and thrive in the real world. Read more about how durable skills help educators and students with ASU’s dual enrollment program, Accelerate ASU.
Explore free durable skills training at the ASU Professional Educator Learning Hub and CareerCatalyst today.