Beyond Cryptocurrencies: The Future is Blockchain
Author: Moe Levin
Our present time is plagued with seemingly insurmountable problems begging for resolutions. Solving what has thus far been unsolvable, organizations large and small are faced with an ambitious future constructed on a foundation of blockchain technology. Leaders, activists, and innovators from throughout the world are asserting their trust that blockchain engineering will help them usher in an era of global change. The implications of blockchain’s promise in areas from aid and identity to finance and real estate are staggering:
- Programs like Building Blocks, piloted by the World Food Program (WFP), are integrating blockchain into their cash-delivery solutions in an effort to combat widespread corruption in the aid sector, ensuring that aid is distributed, received and redeemed transparently. Journalist Julio Alejandro, founder of the Humanitarian Blockchain (HB), pairs blockchain developers with activists to tackle land registration, refugee support, and identification deficiencies. Alejandro told Cointelegraph in 2016 that he sees “HB [growing] to be the hub for all the good people in the world.”
- ID2020 Alliance, a group of UN agencies, governments, not-for-profits and other organizations, believe blockchain may be the answer to providing legal identification to the 1.1 billion people around the globe who are currently unrecognized by any government, giving those people access to healthcare, education, and a bank account.
- The Bank for International Settlements (BIS) noted in their March 2017 quarterly report that central banks reticent to wade into the cryptocurrency market thus far, may be forced to develop digital alternatives to cash to remain competitive.
- ADLANT, who launched their ICO in September 2017, are demonstrating how blockchain can be used to both lower the entry barriers for real estate investment.
- In November 2017, Fordham University hosted a Humanitarian Blockchain Summit to recognize the confluence of blockchain and philanthropy. Scholars, do-gooders, and technologists gathered to explore emerging humanitarian blockchain initiatives, including a project to combat child trafficking.
Progress toward this blockchain-enabled future is being thwarted, however. Companies are realizing the unavoidable assets essential to their revolutionary projects (developers specifically trained in the intricacies of blockchain) are scarcely available. Although advertisements detailing blockchain jobs are increasing at a rate of 40 percent every quarter, according to data provided by LinkedIn, available candidates are scarce. There are 14 open positions for each individual developer. The market for their skills is only growing, with demand projected to expand by 16 times within in the next seven years.
Investment and revenue forecasts for high-quality blockchain projects continue to increase, driving consumer demand and institutional investment. Of 200 Fortune 500 executives surveyed, 188 of them plan to implement blockchain technology, but they are unable to locate the engineers capable of executing their plans. That inconsistency has left an ever-widening gap between supply and demand.
It would seem the discrepancy between what governments, organizations, and enterprises need, and what they have access to has already gone significantly beyond the scope of a simple solution, but innovation is at the crux of the discussion. The most immediate need is a reliable supply of well trained, skilled blockchain developers.
Traditional curriculum structures will not suffice. The type of revolutionary learning system that would remedy the developer shortage would have to both recognize and accommodate the rapidly advancing blockchain environment, keeping a finger on the market’s pulse and adjusting accordingly. Rapid change has prevented consistent industry standards and certification.
Until now.
Kingsland University — School of Blockchain addresses these shortcomings. With curriculum designed to be syndicated worldwide, Kingsland offers accredited programs through digital classrooms, with ticket-based help rooms, tutorials, exams, and instructional videos, serving a global solution to this global shortage. Kingsland’s industry connections benefit students and executives through their placement and recruitment centre. Students are able to find work and companies are able to fill vacancies with accredited blockchain developers. Maintaining a fast-paced feedback loop with blockchain leaders, Kingsland’s high-level curriculum will not suffer from the same lag faced by other institutions, ensuring student access to the best available blockchain training.
With Kingsland University -School of Blockchain readying the next generation of blockchain developers, forward-thinking companies who partner with Kingsland can fast-track world-changing projects, knowing Kingsland-trained developers will be available to help the them build a better global future.
Moe Levin is responsible for the first global bitcoin conference in Amsterdam and is the founder of the North American Bitcoin Conference as the CEO of Keynote — a global events company. Levin serves as an advisor and board member for a number of blockchain companies including Unsung and RSK Labs. He is also a Co-Founder of Kingsland University — School of Blockchain, the world’s first accredited blockchain training program. To find out more about how the Kingsland University — School of Blockchain. Find out more about Kingsland’s leading-edge education at KingslandUniversity.com
Have questions? Ask the team on Telegram.