Algorithms are coming for their jobs, so workers are teaching themselves algorithms

When cybersecurity firm Malwarebytes started automating its quality assurance testing last year, it knew that the move could put more than four dozen employees out of work.

Rather than simply replace them with tech, though, the Santa Clara, Calif., firm turned to tech to save their jobs.

The company signed up with Udemy, an online learning platform that teaches courses ranging from data science to sourdough bread-making. Malwarebytes identified the skills its quality assurance testers would need to stay relevant in the rapidly changing cybersecurity industry.

Then it told its staffers to buckle in - it was time to get "up-skilled."

As automation becomes ubiquitous, education start-ups such as Udemy, Coursera and General Assembly are positioning themselves as the nexus between today's workforce and tomorrow's jobs.

Unlike traditional college programs that can take anywhere from