Network and infrastructure roles are evolving as companies integrate advanced technologies including AI-powered network operations, multicloud networking, zero trust network access (ZTNA), and SD-WAN. We highlight ongoing industry research, employment stats, and certification developments affecting network professionals, infrastructure and operations leaders, and data center personnel. Regular updates will follow.
Training employees on AI is becoming increasingly essential as studies show many workers are unsure how to use the technology in their roles.
A recent 2024 Digital Work Trends Report by Slingshot indicates that 77% of workers feel they lack comprehensive training on AI tools provided by their employers. Additionally, only 27% of managers believe their employees are fully trained in these tools.
The study, executed by Dynata in the second quarter of 2024 with 253 participants, also found that the absence of AI specialists and high-quality data are major obstacles to successfully leveraging AI within organizations. Sixty-four percent of respondents reported a lack of AI experts in their teams as a hindrance to providing AI tools. Moreover, 45% cited poor data quality as the primary reason for not deploying AI tools in the workplace. Another contributing factor to the limited presence of AI is the lack of necessary technological infrastructure within organizations.
“Data is top of mind for employees too when it comes to AI: 33% of employers say their company would be ready to support AI if their company’s data was combed through for accuracy, and 32% say they need more training around data and AI before their company is ready,” the report reads.
September 2024
The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) this week released its most recent employment data that shows the ratio of job openings per unemployed worker continues to steadily decline, indicating unemployment rates will continue to rise.
According to BLS Job Openings and Labor Turnover Summary (JOLTS) data, the number of job openings hit 7.7 million on the last day of July, while the hires stood at 5.5 million and “separations” increased to 5.4 million. Separations (3.3 million) include quits, layoffs, and discharges (1.8 million) for the same timeframe. The most recent numbers hint at more bad news for unemployment in the country, according to industry watchers.
“The labor market has not only cooled from its pre-pandemic levels, it has sunk even lower,” stated an Indeed Hiring Lab report citing BLS data. “We’ve moved beyond just moderating—we’re now seeing a trend toward deterioration.”
In the tech sector, BLS data suggests a minimal increase of about 5,000 jobs in 2024. However, this slight uptick is overshadowed by the larger issue of some 145,000 unemployed IT professionals, as estimated by Janco Associates.
“The current BLS data reveals there are roughly 4.18 million IT jobs in the US. Unfortunately, large tech firms are continuing to lay off employees to enhance profit margins. Recent layoffs have been announced by major players such as Intel, Microsoft, and Google,” shared M. Victor Janulaitis, the CEO of Janco. “While BLS data indicates around 81,000 IT professionals were hired, a contrasting 147,000 are searching for work as of June. We expect similar figures for July and August.”
September 2024
Technology professionals aiming to affirm their expertise in data science now have an opportunity through the CompTIA DataX certification. This credential is part of the new Xpert Series launched by CompTIA. The DataX program was created with feedback from data scientists working across various industries and zeroes in on vital abilities needed for data science effectiveness. These include mathematics and statistics, modeling and analysis for impactful outcomes, operational processes, machine learning, and niche data science applications. Designed for individuals with at least five years of field experience, the program also helps pinpoint existing knowledge gaps while offering educational materials to bring learners up to speed on advanced topics.
“Acquiring the CompTIA DataX certification signifies a professional’s dedication to maintaining high standards in the world of data science,” noted Teresa Sears, Senior Vice President of Product Management at CompTIA, in a press release. “This certification confirms one’s skill in advanced analytics, which is key to enhancing organizational efficiency, reducing risks, and maximizing data value.”
August 2024
CompTIA is collaborating with Gebeya Inc. to offer African technology enthusiasts access to an extensive range of IT, networking, cybersecurity, and cloud computing courses from CompTIA’s library. Through this joint effort, technology education and certification opportunities will be available directly through CompTIA.
Gebeya, which operates across Africa as a provider of expert technology talents, is committed to narrowing the digital skills gap and enhancing digital transformation throughout the continent. The partnership with CompTIA is a strategic move to enrich their Talent Cloud by providing comprehensive IT education and certification opportunities. Amadou Daffe, CEO of Gebeya, emphasized in a statement the value this collaboration brings to their stakeholders and the broader tech community in Africa.
CompTIA’s certifications are globally recognized and vendor-neutral, spanning various essential IT domains. The organization argues that their course library is instrumental in keeping individuals up-to-date with critical technological competencies needed in today’s digital climate.
Benjamin Ndambuki, representing CompTIA in Africa, shares a vision with Gebeya to bridge the digital talent divide on the continent. He expressed confidence that the synergy between Gebeya’s expansive network and local insights, combined with CompTIA’s internationally esteemed certifications, will significantly empower African tech professionals and catalyze growth in the digital sector.
August 2024
New data released from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) reveals that job growth numbers were previously overestimated. According to recent updates, there were 818,000 fewer jobs added in the year up to March 2024 than earlier figures showed. Combined with data from Indeed indicating a gradual rise in the unemployment rate, concerns about a possible recession are growing.
Reports from Indeed’s Hiring Lab highlight that, on a three-month average, the unemployment rate has increased by .55 percentage points from its low of 3.5% in January 2023. The revised figures from BLS depict a less robust hiring environment than initially thought, yet Indeed maintains a stance of “cautious optimism” regarding the U.S. labor market, noting the sustained number of job openings and wage growth as potentially encouraging signs attracting workers back into the workforce.
Indeed also notes that, aside from plentiful job opportunities, “persistently strong wage growth,” although reduced from its peak, is still consistent with rates seen before the pandemic, which could be a key factor in increasing labor force participation according to their analysis.
August 2024
The semiconductor industry could be facing a major labor shortage due to rapid growth outstripping the supply of qualified workers in the US. A report by McKinsey & Company indicates that both public and private sectors are expected to inject upwards of $250 billion into the US semiconductor sector by 2032, resulting in over 160,000 new positions for engineers and technical staff. However, with a significant 43% decline in the US’s domestic semiconductor manufacturing workforce since 2000, filling these new roles could be challenging. The shortage of engineers and technicians may rise to approximately 146,000 by 2029, as per the findings of the report.
August 2024
CompTIA has recently launched new career resources aimed at educating individuals about specific tech-related jobs and helping them to create a career pathway that is well-suited to their skills and experiences.
“Too many people don’t know what it means to work in tech, so they’re scared, or they think the jobs are boring or are too hard,” stated Todd Thibodeaux, president and CEO of CompTIA, in a statement. “We want to educate people about the dynamic employment opportunities available in tech; encourage them to know they can thrive in these jobs; and empower them with the knowledge and skills to succeed.”
Among the new resources is CompTIA Career Explorer, which the nonprofit organization says will help professionals tailor a career path that aligns with their workstyles and lifestyles. With the tool, jobseekers can test drive “a day in the life of specific job roles and challenge themselves with real-time, true-to-life problem solving” related to the jobs.
CompTIA Career+ will provide users with an immersive, interactive video experience that “showcases a day in the life of in-demand job roles,” according to CompTIA. This resource will feature up to 30 job roles, representing about 90% of all tech occupations.
The organization announced the new resources at its CompTIA ChannelCon and Partner Summit conference. “We want people to associate CompTIA with the competencies and skills to work in technology,” Thibodeaux said.
August 2024
A recent study carried out by the German biotechnology firm Cytena has found that California has the highest average salaries in the U.S. for occupations in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM). The study assessed compensation data for over 75 different STEM roles retrieved from the company review portal Glassdoor. California emerged at the top with an average annual salary of $124,937 for these roles, encompassing various professions like healthcare professionals, mathematicians, data scientists, as well as network and software engineers. Washington state came in a near second, with its average salary just under $124,000, while New York secured third place, offering an average salary of $114,437 annually. Other states making up the top ten for paying the highest STEM salaries include Nevada, Maryland, Massachusetts, Idaho, Hawaii, Colorado, and Connecticut.
July 2024
Friday, July 26 marks the 25th annual System Administrator Appreciation Day. Always celebrated on the last Friday in July, SysAdmin Day is dedicated to IT professionals who ensure organizational infrastructures operate efficiently. This initiative was founded by Ted Kekatos to honor those who manage and support technology environments, recognizing both seen and unseen efforts of installing, managing networks, assisting users, and enhancing system operations.
Network and systems admins handle user issues and incident resolutions frequently without adequate recognition. These crucial yet often unnoticed IT personnel are rightfully celebrated on this special day—they might even merit a token of appreciation for their dedication and relentless hard work.
July 2024
NetBrain Technologies introduced its Network Automation Certification Program, aiming to credential engineers possessing proficient network automation capabilities. The certification seeks to validate and showcase their skills, with the first exams scheduled for October 3, subsequent to the NetBrain Live Conference in Boston, as articulated by NetBrain.
NetBrain currently lists three network automation certifications on its website:
July 2024
Skillsoft announced its collaboration with Microsoft to create the AI Skill Accelerator program. This initiative aims to help organizations train their workforce to effectively leverage Microsoft AI technologies, including Copilot and Azure Open AI, as well as other generative AI technologies. The program seeks to enhance business productivity and innovation through the adept use of genAI.
“This partnership with Microsoft marks the beginning of numerous AI learning opportunities that we will provide to support our clients and their employees—from every day end users to business executives to AI developers—in acquiring the necessary skills and tools for success in the AI era,” said Ron Hovsepian, executive chair at Skillsoft, in a statement. According to Skillsoft’s annual IT Skills and Salary report, which surveyed 5,700 technology professionals globally, 43% of respondents indicated that their team’s AI skills require enhancement.
Skillsoft’s AI Skill Accelerator provides a comprehensive learning approach that encompasses on-demand courses, personal and group coaching, live instructor-led sessions, and interactive practice labs. Skillsoft highlights that this program will equip its customers with essential skills for AI proficiency.
“The collaboration between Microsoft and Skillsoft is rooted in our mutual commitment to facilitate AI integration across various business sectors,” stated Jeana Jorgensen, corporate vice president of worldwide learning at Microsoft, in a statement. “This educational initiative is designed to empower both individuals and organizations to effectively utilize generative AI, Microsoft Copilot, and Microsoft’s AI apps and services.”
July 2024
Recent data from IT employment trackers indicate that the tech industry introduced over 7,500 new jobs in June, despite a rise in the overall unemployment rate among IT professionals during that period.
CompTIA reported that June saw a significant increase in tech employment, with 7,540 new jobs being the highest monthly gain this year, based on an analysis of U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) data. However, a broader view reveals a reduction of 22,000 tech jobs across various sectors in the U.S. economy. Tim Herbert, CompTIA’s chief research officer, expressed that despite some growing areas, overall tech employment faces challenges. He noted, “Factors such as AI FOMO contribute to employers adopting a cautious stance towards tech hiring.”
In a separate report by Janco Associates, it was noted that the unemployment rate for IT professionals increased to 5.9% in June, surpassing the national average of 4.1%. The report also highlighted an addition of 7,700 jobs in the IT sector in May 2024, yet the number of unemployed IT professionals rose from 129,000 to 147,000. Janco cited, “There is still a skills mismatch, with many IT positions remaining unfilled due to the lack of adequately trained IT pros.”
July 2024
CompTIA has updated its Network+ certification, enhancing its relevance and depth with more thorough coverage of modern networking environments, physical network installation considerations, and strategies for enhanced network security and resilience.
Software-defined networking (SDN) and SD-WAN are key features in the new Network+ exam, N10-009. According to CompTIA, “the course now introduces infrastructure as code (IaC), a revolutionary method that utilizes code for enhanced provisioning and maintenance of computing infrastructure.”
The updated Network+ certification now also encompasses zero-trust architecture along with other methods of network reinforcement. Read more in the full article: CompTIA updates Network+ certification
June 2024
Amazon Web Services (AWS) has introduced two new certifications focused on artificial intelligence for IT professionals aiming to enhance their skills and qualify for AI-focused roles. These new certifications are designed to equip professionals with advanced AI skills, potentially leading to jobs that offer a 47% increased salary in the IT field, as found in an AWS study.
AWS Certified AI Practitioner is an introductory certification from AWS that demonstrates proficiency in artificial intelligence (AI), machine learning (ML), and generative AI concepts and applications. This program is ideal for individuals already working with AI/ML technologies on AWS. It involves completing an 85-question exam over 120 minutes, focusing on areas such as prompt engineering, the ethics of AI, and security protocols for AI solutions.
AWS Certified Machine Learning Engineer—Associate is designed for those capable of handling ML projects from conception to operational stages. This 170-minute exam consists of 85 questions, targeting professionals with at least one year of practical experience in managing ML workloads using Amazon SageMaker and related AWS services. The test emphasizes data handling, feature engineering, model training, and security concerns specific to ML.
Enrollment for these two AWS certifications begins on August 13.
June 2024
Cisco has recently announced a new AI certification aimed at equipping IT professionals with the skills to effectively design, set up, and optimize networks and systems for advanced AI/ML operations. Launched during the Cisco Live event in Las Vegas, the Cisco Certified Design Expert (CCDE)-AI Infrastructure certification is an expert-level, vendor-neutral credential. It allows tech experts to develop network architectures that are tailored for AI workloads, “while also addressing unique AI business needs such as cost and power trade-offs, and aligning compute power and cloud requirements with carbon footprint considerations,” according to Par Merat, vice president of Cisco Learning and Certifications, in a blog post.
This new certification from Cisco covers areas such as GPU optimization and the creation of high-performing generative AI network infrastructures. It also deals with sustainability and regulatory compliance of networks supporting AI technologies. According to the Cisco AI Readiness Index, these skills are crucial as 90% of organizations are actively working towards bridging the AI skills gap. Learn more about this certification from Network World’s article.
June 2024
The demand for cybersecurity professionals continues to exceed the available supply of skilled workers as businesses strive to bolster their defenses. This gap in cybersecurity skills is expected to persist into 2024, based on recent findings from CyberSeek, a data analysis platform supported by industry collaborations between Lightcast, NICE, and CompTIA.
There are only enough available workers to fill 85% of the current cybersecurity jobs throughout the U.S. economy, according to CyberSeek data, and more than 225,000 workers are needed to close the cybersecurity skills gap. The data also shows that job postings for all tech occupations declined by 37% between May 2023 and April 2024.
“Although demand for cybersecurity jobs is beginning to normalize to pre-pandemic levels, the longstanding cyber talent gap persists,” said Will Markow, vice president of applied research at Lightcast, in a statement. “At the same time, new threats and technologies are causing cybersecurity skill requirements to evolve at a breakneck pace, forcing employers, educators, and individuals to proactively anticipate and prepare for an ever-changing cyber landscape.”
Positions in the highest demand include network engineers, systems administrators, cybersecurity engineers, cybersecurity analysts, security engineers, systems engineers, information systems security officers, network administrators, information security analysts, and software engineers, according to the CyberSeek data.
“Building a robust cybersecurity presence often requires changes in talent acquisition strategies and tactics,” said Hannah Johnson, senior vice president, tech talent programs, CompTIA, in a statement. “That can include upskilling less experienced cybersecurity professionals for more advanced roles, or hiring people who demonstrate subject matter expertise via professional certifications or other credentials.”
June 2024
Recent employment data shows that the median salary for IT professionals is now $100,399, with total compensation (including bonuses and fringe benefits) reaching $103,692. Management consulting firm Janco Associates, Inc. reported that IT salaries have risen by 3.28% in the past 12 months, even while the unemployment rate for IT workers hits 5%. Executives continue to see the biggest paychecks with total compensation packages increasing by 7.48% and median compensation reaching $184,354.
“Salary compression” is another trend Janco Associates noted. This occurs when new hires are offered salaries at the higher end of the pay range for existing positions, often getting paid more than current employees in the same roles.
Midsized enterprise companies are seeing more attrition than their large enterprise counterparts, while salaries in midsized companies are also rising faster than they are in large enterprises. Salary levels in midsized enterprises increased 5.46% versus 2.56% in larger enterprises, according to Janco Associates.
May 2024
New findings from IDC indicate that a shortage of crucial IT skills is detrimentally affecting the profitability of businesses.
The IDC study, Enterprise Resilience: IT Skilling Strategies, 2024, highlights the current top skills needed in enterprises. From 811 participants, the skill in highest demand is artificial intelligence, noted by 45% of respondents, with IT operations (44%) and cloud solutions architecture (36%) close behind. Additional sought-after abilities include API integration (33%), generative AI (32%), cloud solutions for data management/storage (32%), data analysis (30%), cybersecurity/data security (28%), IoT software development (28%), and IT service management (27%).
A significant majority (63%) of IT leaders from North American firms reported that this skill deficit has stalled digital transformation projects, often delaying them by three to 10 months. Respondents explained that the skill shortage has led to various adverse effects within their IT teams.
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According to a survey analysis, IDC forecasts that by 2026, nearly 90% of global organizations will face significant hurdles due to the IT skills shortage, with potential financial impacts up to $5.5 trillion due to project delays, compromised quality, and revenue losses. “The challenge of matching the right talent with essential skills to the necessary roles has become increasingly tough,” remarked Gina Smith, PhD, a research director at IDC’s IT Skills for Digital Business practice. “As gaps in IT proficiency grow and technological advancements occur more rapidly, companies need to creatively engage in hiring, training, and both upskilling and reskilling their staff. Cultivating a culture of learning is fundamentally the most effective approach to achieving this,” she stated in a recent publication.
May 2024
The shortage of precise technological expertise is causing concern among IT leaders, who feel incapacitated in adopting new technologies, sustaining existing systems, capturing business opportunities, and maintaining client relationships due to the continuing skills gap.
A fresh survey by Pluralsight, an online professional training platform, shows that 96% of technologists claim an increase in workload driven by the lack of skills, with 78% having to abandon projects midway as they lacked the IT competencies needed for completion. While the majority of organizations (78%) report some improvement in their skills gap from the previous year, they identified cybersecurity, cloud, and software development as the top areas still needing attention. IT leaders express concerns that this persistent skills gap could hinder their organizations’ ability to effectively operate.
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Pluralsight surveyed 1,400 executives and IT professionals across the U.S., U.K., and India to learn more about the technical skills gap and how organizations are addressing a lack of expertise in specific technology areas.
May 2024
Network automation continues to challenge IT leaders, and one factor is a lack of skills on staff.
When research firm Enterprise Management Associates surveyed 354 IT professionals about network automation, just 18% rated their network automation strategies as a complete success, and 54% said they have achieved partial success. The remaining 38% said they were uncertain of the level of success achieved or admitted failure with their network automation projects.
Approximately 26.8% of the participants surveyed indicated that staffing problems such as skills shortages and high turnover rates pose major challenges for their businesses. One network engineer from a mid-sized business services provider mentioned in the EMA report that, “The hardest part is the absence of network engineers who are proficient in automation. It’s a tight-knit community, making it difficult to find assistance for resolving issues.”
April 2024
The IT certification and training organization CompTIA is broadening its offerings and roadmap to accommodate the increasing demand for skills in artificial intelligence.
The role of AI is becoming indispensable within existing job roles, while simultaneously, entirely new careers such as prompt engineering and AI systems architects are being recognized by employers. “These emerging roles are in alignment with the AI objectives of numerous firms,” explained Teresa Sears, vice president of product management at CompTIA.
Millions of IT professionals will need to acquire new AI skills to meet the job market demands, stated Thomas Reilly, CompTIA’s chief product officer, in a statement. “We plan to develop a variety of certifications and training programs that cover the entire career trajectory, from foundational knowledge for those beginning their careers to advanced skills for seasoned professionals.”
February 2024
The number of new IT jobs created in 2023 remained stagnant, with only 700 positions added, reflecting ongoing economic concerns and an increased need for skills related to emerging technologies. This figure contrasts sharply with the 267,000 jobs added in 2022, a disparity attributed to technological layoffs and other cost-reducing strategies.
As per Janco Associates, although 21,300 jobs were added in the fourth quarter of 2023, the total new positions created for that year summed to just 700.
“Based on our analysis, the IT job market and opportunities for IT professionals are poor at best. In the past 12 months, telecommunications lost 26,400 jobs, content providers lost 9,300 jobs, and other information services lost 10,300 jobs,” said M. Victor Janulaitis, CEO at Janco, in a statement. “Gainers in the same period were computer system designers gaining 32,300 jobs and hosting providers gaining 14,000.”
January 2024
Robert Half reports that the job market will remain resilient heading into 2024. According to the talent solutions provider’s recent survey, more than half of U.S. companies plan to increase hiring in the first half of 2024. While the data is not limited to the IT sector, the research shows 57% plan to add new permanent positions in the first six months of the year while another 39% anticipate hiring for vacant positions and 67% will hire contract workers as a staffing strategy.
Specific to the technology sector, 69% of the more than 1,850 hiring managers surveyed reported they would be adding new permanent roles for those professions. Still, challenges will persist into the new year, according to Robert Half, which reported 90% of hiring managers have difficulty finding skilled professionals and 58% said it takes longer to hire for open roles compared to a year ago.
December 2023
Proficiency in cloud technologies and security measures is essential for modern network construction, and these abilities command premium compensation, as highlighted in Skillsoft’s yearly survey of the highest-paying IT certifications. Leading the pack among the top 20 IT certifications is the Google Cloud-Professional Cloud Architect, boasting an average yearly income of $200,960.
The report from Skillsoft also enumerates various cloud certifications along with five additional credentials in security, networking, and system architecture as part of the elite top 20:
November 2023
