The landscape of network and infrastructure positions is evolving as companies embrace advancements such as AI-driven network operations, multicloud networking, and zero trust network access (ZTNA), along with SD-WAN. Below is a summary of recent industry research, employment statistics, and certification trends affecting today’s network professionals, infrastructure and operations (I&O) leaders, and data center teams. Be sure to check back for ongoing updates.
According to CompTIA’s examination of the latest data from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), technology occupations experienced a rise of 118,000 new jobs in September. This surge led to a reduction in the tech unemployment rate to 2.5%, comprising 8,583 net new positions for the month.
The CompTIA Tech Jobs Report indicates that there are now over 516,000 active job postings for future tech hiring, including an addition of 225,000 new listings in September. The roles that demonstrated the most significant growth in percentage terms during September were tech support specialists and database administrators. CompTIA attributed the new hiring momentum to the sectors of cloud infrastructure, data processing and hosting, as well as tech services and custom software development based on BLS data.
“It was never really a question of if, but when employers were going to resume hiring,” stated Tim Herbert, chief research officer at CompTIA, in a statement. “A diverse array of companies considered recent economic shifts as the impetus to advance in meeting their tech talent requirements.”
October 2024
CompTIA has refreshed its Cloud+ professional certification to incorporate DevOps principles, merging software development expertise with network operations, along with addressing common cloud management challenges.
The enhanced certification program will encompass cloud architecture, design, and deployment; security measures; configuring and provisioning cloud resources; managing operations throughout the entirety of the cloud environment’s lifecycle; automation and virtualization; backup and recovery strategies; high-availability solutions; key DevOps concepts; and cloud management practices. Additionally, it will touch on technologies such as machine learning, artificial intelligence, and the Internet of Things, as stated by CompTIA.
“Organizations must ensure their teams possess the skills necessary for handling cloud and hybrid environments,” remarked Teresa Sears, senior vice president of product management at CompTIA, in a statement. “CompTIA Cloud+ equips team members to manage intricate migrations, supervise multi-cloud environments, secure sensitive data, and troubleshoot while upholding cost-effective operations.”
Professionals in the technology sector holding CompTIA Cloud+ or CompTIA Network+ certifications can enhance their expertise and affirm their understanding with the upcoming CompTIA CloudNetX certification, anticipated to launch early next year as part of the CompTIA Xpert Series, according to CompTIA.
October 2024
A new certification focusing on generative AI has been announced by Certiport, a division of Pearson VUE. This week, the provider introduced the Generative AI Foundations certification, aimed at empowering both professionals and students with the necessary skills to engage with generative AI technologies. This certification will assess an individual’s knowledge across various subjects, including:
The Generative AI Foundations certification is currently available through Mindhub and Certiport, as well as through Pearson VUE’s online testing service, OnVUE, and in testing centers affiliated with Certiport.
October 2024
Recent statistics from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) indicate that while numerous IT roles are set to expand through 2033, certain positions for network and computer systems administrators are anticipated to decrease. The field of computer network architects is projected to grow by 13.4%, while computer network support specialists are expected to experience a 7.3% increase in employment opportunities. Conversely, network and computer systems administrators will likely face a reduction of 2.6% in job numbers.
In general, the sector identified by the BLS as “computer and mathematical occupations” is on track for a 12.9% growth from 2023 to 2033, resulting in approximately 699,000 new jobs. This positions it as the second fastest expanding occupational category, trailing only healthcare support occupations, which are projected to grow by 15.2%.
For more information, click here: 10-year forecast shows growth in network architect jobs while sysadmin roles shrink
September 2024
IT employment declined by 0.05% in August, leading to a decrease of 2,400 jobs month-over-month, as revealed by an assessment of the high-tech job sector conducted by TechServe Alliance. Annually, the IT job market contracted by 0.33%, resulting in the loss of 17,500 positions. However, there is some encouraging news; the staffing firm observed a greater than 1% rise in engineering roles year-over-year, adding 29,800 jobs during the same timeframe.
“As the broader job market weakened in August, IT employment continued to face challenges in gaining traction,” stated Mark Roberts, CEO of TechServe, in a statement. “Throughout 2024, job growth in IT has remained largely stagnant following 23 consecutive months of job losses. I anticipate that IT employment will remain stagnant until the uncertainty surrounding the economy, the upcoming national election, and ongoing geopolitical issues starts to resolve.”
September 2024
As research continues to unveil the challenges surrounding the integration of artificial intelligence in the workplace, it is becoming increasingly evident that employee education and training regarding AI is essential. A considerable number of employees still lack the knowledge on how to effectively implement AI technologies within their roles.
Insights from Slingshot’s 2024 Digital Work Trends Report indicate that a staggering 77% of employees feel they are not fully trained or adequately equipped to utilize the AI tools provided by their managers. Managers appear to share this sentiment, with only 27% expressing confidence that their staff are completely prepared to use the AI resources available to them.
The study, conducted in the second quarter of 2024 by Dynata with a sample size of 253 participants, highlights key hurdles to achieving AI success, notably the lack of AI competency and the quality of data. Alarmingly, nearly 64% of respondents reported that their organization lacks AI experts, which in turn hampers access to AI tools. Additionally, 45% identified the quality of organizational data as a significant factor limiting AI adoption. Another fundamental issue is that many organizations do not possess the necessary technological infrastructure to facilitate the integration of AI tools into their operations.
The report emphasizes the importance of data accuracy for employees: “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 states.
September 2024
This week, the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) published its latest employment figures, revealing a continuous decline in the ratio of job openings for every unemployed individual. This trend suggests that unemployment rates may keep increasing.
The BLS Job Openings and Labor Turnover Summary (JOLTS) indicates that job openings numbered 7.7 million at the end of July, while the number of hires reached 5.5 million. Additionally, the report showed that separations rose to 5.4 million, which includes 3.3 million quits and 1.8 million layoffs and discharges during the same period. These recent statistics point toward further adverse developments for unemployment across the nation, according to analysts in the field.
“The labor market is no longer cooling down to its pre-pandemic temperature … it’s dropped below,” stated an Indeed Hiring Lab report on BLS data. “The labor market is past moderation and trending toward deterioration.”
For IT professionals, the data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics indicates that high-tech job opportunities may see a modest increase of 5,000 positions in 2024. However, this growth falls short of addressing the current unemployment crisis among IT workers, with Janco Associates estimating around 145,000 individuals are out of work.
“Based on our analysis of the most recent BLS data, there are roughly 4.18 million IT jobs available in the United States. The ongoing layoffs at major tech companies have continued to negatively impact IT hiring. These large firms are making cuts to improve their financial performance. Recently, companies like Intel, Microsoft, and Google have announced further layoffs,” stated M. Victor Janulaitis, CEO of Janco. “Furthermore, BLS data reveals that approximately 81,000 IT professionals were hired, while 147,000 were actively seeking employment in June. Our forecast suggests that this trend will persist into July and August.”
September 2024
IT professionals interested in verifying their data science skills can now demonstrate their expertise through CompTIA’s DataX certification program.
As part of CompTIA’s newly unveiled Xpert Series, the DataX program has been developed based on feedback from data scientists operating in both the private and public sectors. This initiative emphasizes the essential skills required for a data scientist’s success, which include mathematics and statistics, modeling, analysis, operations, processes, machine learning, and specialized applications of data science. Aimed at professionals with over five years of experience, the program helps identify knowledge gaps and offers resources to bring candidates up to speed on advanced topics.
“Achieving a CompTIA DataX certification serves as a solid indicator of a professional’s dedication to excellence in data science,” stated Teresa Sears, senior vice president of product management at CompTIA, in a recent statement. “This program validates the advanced analytical skills that enable organizations to improve efficiency, reduce risks, and fully leverage their data resources.”
August 2024
In a significant move, CompTIA has teamed up with Gebeya Inc. to grant access to its extensive library of courses in IT, networking, cybersecurity, and cloud computing. This partnership will enable individuals in Africa who are eager to pursue technology careers to access IT training and certification programs offered by CompTIA.
Gebeya, a leading Pan-African talent cloud technology provider, has articulated its mission to “bridge the digital skills divide and promote digital transformation throughout Africa.” By collaborating with CompTIA, the organization aims to enhance the skills of aspiring technology professionals in Africa. Amadou Daffe, CEO of Gebeya, stated, “Our strategic partnership with CompTIA allows us to integrate a comprehensive skilling module within the Gebeya Talent Cloud, giving our customers and partners unparalleled access to top-tier IT training and certifications for their talent communities,” as mentioned in a statement.
CompTIA provides vendor-neutral IT certifications that encompass the basics of various IT functions. The organization emphasizes that its extensive course library can assist individuals in keeping pace with today’s critical technology skills while also bolstering technical proficiency on a global scale.
“We share a common goal to bridge the digital skills gap in Africa,” expressed Benjamin Ndambuki, CompTIA’s territory development representative for Africa, in a statement. “With Gebeya’s broad reach and local knowledge combined with CompTIA’s internationally recognized certifications, we are optimistic about empowering a new wave of African technology professionals to flourish in the digital economy.”
August 2024
Recent data released by the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) indicates that prior estimates of job growth were significantly off. The agency disclosed this week that there were 818,000 fewer jobs added during the 12 months that ended in March 2024 than earlier projections suggested. This revelation, combined with reports from Indeed showing a gradual rise in the unemployment rate, is sparking concerns about a potential recession.
As stated in Indeed’s Hiring Lab, “on a three-month average basis, the unemployment rate has increased by .55 percentage points since its low of 3.5% in January 2023.” The revised BLS figures point to weaker hiring patterns and a cooler job market than had been anticipated; however, Indeed believes there are grounds for “cautious optimism” regarding the U.S. labor market. For example, the number of job postings available and rising wages might continue to draw more individuals into the workforce.
“Alongside a relatively high number of job opportunities, another contributing factor that could be enticing more workers back into the labor force is the sustained wage growth, which, while having slipped from its recent peaks, remains comparable to pre-pandemic figures,” Indeed noted.
August 2024
The semiconductor industry may be on the brink of a significant labor shortage as the rapid growth in the sector exceeds the supply of skilled labor in the US. A recent analysis by McKinsey & Company indicated that investment in the US semiconductor industry—both public and private—will exceed $250 billion by 2032, generating over 160,000 new job opportunities in engineering and technical support. However, this is complicated by a notable decrease in the domestic semiconductor manufacturing workforce, which has fallen 43% since its peak in 2000. At the present pace, the shortage of engineers and technicians could escalate to as many as 146,000 by 2029, as per the report.
August 2024
CompTIA has introduced new career resources aimed at educating individuals about specific technology-related roles, enabling them to forge career paths that match their skills and experiences.
“Many people are unaware of what a career in technology entails, leading to apprehension, or they perceive these jobs as tedious or overly difficult,” stated Todd Thibodeaux, president and CEO of CompTIA, in a statement. “Our goal is to inform individuals about the exciting employment possibilities in tech; inspire them to believe they can excel in these roles; and equip them with the essential knowledge and skills for success.”
One of the newly introduced resources is the CompTIA Career Explorer. This innovative tool, developed by the nonprofit organization, aims to assist professionals in crafting a career path that resonates with their workstyles and lifestyles. Jobseekers can engage in an immersive experience, simulating “a day in the life of specific job roles,” while tackling real-world problem-solving challenges pertinent to those positions.
Additionally, CompTIA Career+ offers a captivating, interactive video journey, illustrating “a day in the life of in-demand job roles,” as stated by CompTIA. This resource will showcase around 30 different job roles, covering approximately 90% of all tech occupations.
The announcement of these new initiatives took place during the CompTIA ChannelCon and Partner Summit conference. Thibodeaux emphasized, “We want people to associate CompTIA with the necessary competencies and skills for a career in technology.”
August 2024
A recent study from Cytena, a biotechnology firm based in Germany, reveals that California offers the highest average salaries in the United States for individuals employed in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) fields.
Cytena examined salary information for over 75 STEM occupations featured on the job review platform Glassdoor to discover which states offer the best compensation for tech professionals. California emerged as the leader with an average salary of $124,937 across the various positions analyzed, which encompassed roles ranging from medical specialists to mathematicians and data scientists as well as network and software engineers. Coming in a close second was Washington state, with an average annual salary slightly below $124,000, while New York secured third place at an average annual salary of $114,437. Following these three top states, Nevada, Maryland, Massachusetts, Idaho, Hawaii, Colorado, and Connecticut filled out the top ten states in the U.S. providing the highest salaries for STEM-related careers.
July 2024
On Friday, July 26, we will celebrate the 25th annual System Administrator Appreciation Day. Observed on the last Friday of July, SysAdmin Day honors IT professionals dedicated to maintaining the smooth operation of organizations and their supporting infrastructure. Some might consider it a thankless role, which is why Ted Kekatos established this day to pay tribute to the individuals tasked with installing and configuring hardware and software, managing networks and technological tools, assisting end users, and overseeing the performance of the overall environment.
Network and systems administrators often handle complaint calls and resolve incidents for end users, typically without ever hearing how much they truly assist their colleagues. As the unsung heroes of the IT landscape, sysadmins merit this day of appreciation — they may even warrant a thoughtful gesture or gift to recognize the countless hours they dedicate and the extensive work they accomplish behind the scenes.
July 2024
NetBrain Technologies has launched its Network Automation Certification Program, designed to acknowledge engineers with advanced network automation competencies. This initiative will allow network engineers to confirm their expertise and convey their skill sets to others, as stated by NetBrain. The first examinations for the program are set to take place on October 3, following the NetBrain Live Conference in Boston.
Currently, NetBrain lists three network automation certifications on its site:
July 2024
Skillsoft revealed a partnership with Microsoft aimed at creating the AI Skill Accelerator initiative. This program is designed to assist organizations in enhancing their workforce capabilities to effectively engage with Microsoft AI solutions like Copilot and Azure Open AI, in addition to a broader range of generative AI technologies. The objective is to boost business productivity and foster innovation through more effective utilization of genAI applications.
“This partnership with Microsoft marks the beginning of numerous AI learning opportunities we plan to offer, aimed at supporting our clients and their personnel—from everyday users and business executives to AI developers—in acquiring the essential skills and resources to thrive in the AI era,” stated Ron Hovsepian, executive chair at Skillsoft, in a press release. A recent report by Skillsoft, which examined the IT Skills and Salary trends among 5,700 technology professionals globally, indicated that 43% of respondents feel their team’s proficiency in AI requires improvement.
Skillsoft’s AI Skill Accelerator presents a comprehensive learning journey, featuring on-demand courses, personalized and group coaching, live instructor-led sessions, and practical labs. Skillsoft claims the program will allow clients to:
“Microsoft and Skillsoft have maintained a strong partnership and are united in their aim to facilitate AI transformation across all business sectors,” stated Jeana Jorgensen, corporate vice president of worldwide learning at Microsoft, in a recent statement. “This educational initiative is intended to empower both individuals and organizations to fully utilize generative AI, Microsoft Copilot, and Microsoft’s suite of AI applications and services.”
July 2024
Data collated from IT employment reports indicates that the technology sector saw an increase of over 7,500 new positions in June, while concurrently, the overall unemployment rate for IT professionals rose.
As per CompTIA, the tech industry experienced an addition of approximately 7,540 new jobs in June, marking the largest monthly increase recorded this year. CompTIA’s evaluation of data from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) confirms that this growth was counterbalanced by a loss of 22,000 tech positions across the U.S. economy. “Even with some areas showing growth, the latest data reflects certain downward pressures on tech job markets,” commented Tim Herbert, chief research officer at CompTIA, in a statement. “A range of factors, including fear of missing out on AI developments, likely leads some employers to adopt a cautious approach to tech hiring.”
In a recent report by Janco Associates, it was revealed that the unemployment rate for IT professionals reached 5.9% in June, surpassing the U.S. national unemployment rate of 4.1%. Furthermore, the report indicated that 7,700 new jobs were added to the IT job market in May 2024. The number of unemployed IT professionals increased from 129,000 to 147,000 amid ongoing skills mismatches, as many positions remain unfilled due to candidates lacking the necessary training and experience. Data from the BLS noted that approximately 78,000 IT professionals were hired, while 147,000 continue to seek employment, as stated by Janco Associates.
July 2024
CompTIA has revised its Network+ certification to provide more comprehensive insights into contemporary network environments. This update includes aspects pertaining to physical network installations and methods to enhance network security and resilience.
The refreshed Network+ exam, designated N10-009, incorporates topics such as software-defined networking (SDN) and SD-WAN. CompTIA mentioned that this program introduces the concept of infrastructure as code (IaC), a groundbreaking method that utilizes code to optimize the provisioning and management of computing infrastructure.
The revised Network+ certification program now incorporates zero-trust architecture alongside various strategies for enhancing network security. For more details, check the complete article: CompTIA updates Network+ certification
June 2024
Amazon Web Services (AWS) has introduced two new certifications aimed at IT professionals who want to enhance their expertise in artificial intelligence and secure AI-related positions. This new knowledge could significantly elevate job prospects, with potential salaries in the IT field being up to 47% higher as noted in an AWS report.
The AWS Certified AI Practitioner serves as a foundational certification that confirms an individual’s understanding of AI, machine learning (ML), and generative AI principles and applications, as stated by AWS. Participants who are acquainted with AI/ML functionalities on AWS and complete a 120-minute, 85-question assessment will refine their knowledge of core concepts and real-world applications related to AI, ML, and generative AI. The exam will encompass various themes, including prompt engineering, responsible AI practices, and security and compliance considerations for AI systems, among others.
AWS Certified Machine Learning Engineer—Associate is a 170-minute assessment containing 85 questions that certifies the technical capabilities required to implement machine learning workloads in a production environment. Individuals with a minimum of one year’s experience utilizing Amazon SageMaker and other AWS ML engineering services are ideal candidates for this certification. The examination will encompass various topics, including data preparation for machine learning models, feature engineering, model training, security, and additional relevant areas.
The registration for the upcoming AWS certifications will open on August 13.
June 2024
Cisco has introduced a new AI certification designed to equip IT professionals to create, provision, and enhance networks and systems essential for demanding AI/machine learning workloads. This initiative was unveiled at the Cisco Live conference in Las Vegas, presenting the Cisco Certified Design Expert (CCDE)-AI Infrastructure certification, which is a vendor-neutral, expert-level certification. Upon acquiring this certification, tech professionals will gain the ability to devise network architectures optimized specifically for AI workloads. They will also learn how to align these designs with the unique business needs of artificial intelligence, such as balancing cost and power considerations while syncing computing capacity and cloud demands with measured carbon usage,” explained Par Merat, vice president of Cisco Learning and Certifications, in a blog entry regarding the new certification.
Cisco has introduced the CCDE-AI Infrastructure certification, designed to enhance expertise in areas such as GPU optimization and the creation of high-performance generative AI network fabrics. Individuals pursuing this certification will also delve into the sustainability and compliance aspects of networks that facilitate AI operations. The demand for these skills is significant, as highlighted by the Cisco AI Readiness Index, which reveals that 90% of organizations are making investments to bridge the AI skills gap. For further details, visit Cisco debuts CCDE-AI Infrastructure certification.
June 2024
The quest for cybersecurity professionals continues, but according to fresh data from CyberSeek, the supply of qualified candidates will fall short of the demand expected in 2024. This data analysis tool is a product of a partnership involving Lightcast, NICE, and CompTIA.
Currently, the available workforce can fill only 85% of the cybersecurity roles in the U.S. economy, with more than 225,000 additional workers required to adequately address the cybersecurity skills shortage. Additionally, the data indicates a 37% decline in job postings for all tech jobs from May 2023 to April 2024.
“While the demand for cybersecurity positions is starting to return to levels seen before the pandemic, the ongoing gap in cyber talent remains,” stated Will Markow, vice president of applied research at Lightcast. “Simultaneously, emerging threats and innovations are rapidly altering the skill requirements for cybersecurity, compelling employers, educational institutions, and individuals to proactively adapt to a continuously evolving cyber environment.”
Among the roles experiencing the highest demand are network engineers, systems administrators, cybersecurity engineers, cybersecurity analysts, security engineers, systems engineers, information systems security officers, network administrators, information security analysts, and software engineers, as highlighted by the CyberSeek data.
“Establishing a strong cybersecurity presence often necessitates modifications in hiring strategies and approaches,” commented Hannah Johnson, senior vice president of tech talent programs at CompTIA. “This could involve enhancing the skills of less experienced cybersecurity professionals for more advanced positions or recruiting individuals who can showcase their expertise through professional certifications or other credentials.”
June 2024
Recent employment statistics indicate that the median salary for IT professionals has reached $100,399, with total compensation—factoring in bonuses and fringe benefits—amounting to $103,692. The management consulting firm Janco Associates, Inc. has reported a 3.28% increase in IT salaries over the past year, even as the unemployment rate among IT workers stands at 5%. Executives in the field are enjoying even larger paychecks, with total compensation packages seeing a rise of 7.48% and median compensation hitting $184,354.
Another noteworthy trend highlighted by Janco Associates is “salary compression.” This phenomenon arises when new employees are recruited with salaries positioned at the higher end of the pay scale for existing roles, frequently resulting in these newcomers earning more than their colleagues in similar positions.
Midsized enterprise firms are experiencing higher turnover rates compared to their larger counterparts, while the pay within these midsized firms is increasing at a swifter pace than that of larger enterprises. According to Janco Associates, salary levels in midsized companies rose by 5.46%, contrasted with a 2.56% increase in larger firms.
May 2024
Recent research and survey findings from IDC indicate that an increasing shortage of sought-after IT skills may adversely affect the profitability of businesses.
The IDC report, Enterprise Resilience: IT Skilling Strategies, 2024, highlights the most essential skills currently needed in enterprise organizations. From the 811 participants surveyed, artificial intelligence emerged as the leading skill, mentioned by 45% of respondents, followed closely by IT operations at 44% and cloud solutions-architecture at 36%. Additional skills currently in demand include: API integration (33%), generative AI (32%), cloud solutions-data management/storage (32%), data analysis (30%), cybersecurity/data security (28%), IoT software development (28%), and IT service management (27%).
A significant majority, nearly two-thirds (63%), of IT leaders from North American companies reported that the absence of these skills has hampered their digital transformation efforts, typically delaying such initiatives by three to ten months. Survey participants elaborated on various negative consequences stemming from the skills gap within their IT departments:
In light of these findings, IDC forecasts that by 2026, 90% of organizations globally will suffer the repercussions of the IT skills shortage, potentially leading to losses of up to $5.5 trillion due to delays, quality deficits, and decreased revenue. “The challenge of placing the right people with the necessary skills in appropriate roles is more formidable than ever,” remarked Gina Smith, PhD, research director for IDC’s IT Skills for Digital Business practice, in a statement. “As IT skills shortages broaden and new technologies emerge more rapidly, organizations must explore innovative methods to recruit, train, and enhance the capabilities of their workforce. Fostering a culture of continuous learning is the best approach to achieving this goal.”
May 2024
Concerns regarding a shortage of specialized technology skills are prevalent among IT leaders, who express that without addressing this skills gap, they will struggle to implement new technologies, sustain legacy systems, seize business opportunities, and maintain client relationships.
According to a recent survey conducted by the online professional training provider Pluralsight, an overwhelming 96% of technologists indicated that their workload has become more demanding due to the skills gap, with 78% admitting to abandoning projects midway because they lacked staff with the essential IT competencies needed for completion. Although a majority of organizations (78%) reported an improvement in their skills gap compared to the previous year, respondents identified cybersecurity, cloud computing, and software development as the three primary domains still facing significant gaps. IT executives voiced their concerns that the existing skills gap within their organizations could hinder their ability to:
Pluralsight surveyed 1,400 executives and IT professionals from the U.S., U.K., and India to gain insights into the technical skills gap and the strategies organizations are employing to combat the lack of expertise in key technology fields.
May 2024
Network automation presents ongoing challenges for IT leaders, particularly due to insufficient staff expertise.
In a recent survey conducted by Enterprise Management Associates, they queried 354 IT professionals regarding network automation, revealing that only 18% considered their network automation strategies to be fully successful. A further 54% acknowledged achieving some level of success, while 38% were either unsure of their success or acknowledged failures in their network automation initiatives.
Over a quarter (26.8%) of survey participants pointed to staffing problems, including skill shortages and high turnover rates, as significant challenges. A network engineer from a midmarket business services firm noted in the EMA report, “The greatest challenge I face is finding network engineers capable of contributing to automation. The community is limited, making it difficult to locate individuals who can assist in resolving issues.”
April 2024
CompTIA, the IT certification and training organization, is broadening its range of products and programs to address the rising need for skills related to artificial intelligence.
AI is becoming essential within various job roles, while new positions are also emerging in the workforce. “We are witnessing the rise of two entirely new job titles—prompt engineering and AI systems architects. These roles reflect the AI objectives of numerous companies,” stated Teresa Sears, the vice president of product management at CompTIA.
According to Thomas Reilly, CompTIA’s chief product officer, millions of IT professionals will need to develop new AI competencies to keep up with market demands, as highlighted in an announcement. “We plan to offer a diverse selection of certifications and training programs that cater to the entire career spectrum, from foundational knowledge for beginners to advanced expertise for seasoned professionals.”
February 2024
The landscape of new IT job opportunities in 2023 remained relatively stagnant, with only 700 new roles created. This trend raises ongoing concerns regarding the economy and indicates a rising demand for skills in emerging technologies. In contrast, the previous year, 2022, experienced a much higher increase of 267,000 jobs, a disparity attributed to widespread tech layoffs and various cost-saving initiatives undertaken by companies.
As reported by Janco Associates, although approximately 21,300 jobs were added in the final quarter of 2023, the total job growth for the entire year amounted to merely 700 positions.
“From our evaluation, the current IT job market and prospects for IT professionals are quite discouraging. Over the past year, the telecommunications sector saw a decline of 26,400 jobs, content providers experienced a reduction of 9,300 jobs, and other information services reduced their staff by 10,300 jobs,” remarked M. Victor Janulaitis, CEO at Janco, in a statement. “On the other hand, there were areas of growth, with computer system designers adding 32,300 jobs and hosting providers expanding by 14,000 positions.”
January 2024
According to a report from Robert Half, the job market is expected to remain strong as we move into 2024. Their latest survey reveals that over half of U.S. companies are planning to boost hiring efforts in the first part of the year. This research indicates that 57% of organizations aim to create new permanent roles during the first six months, with an additional 39% looking to fill existing vacancies and 67% opting for contract workers as part of their staffing strategy.
Focusing on the technology sector, 69% of the over 1,850 hiring managers surveyed indicated plans to introduce new permanent positions in this field. However, challenges are projected to continue into the new year. Robert Half noted that 90% of hiring managers are experiencing difficulties in finding qualified candidates, and 58% have reported that the hiring process is taking longer now than it did a year ago.
December 2023
The importance of cloud expertise and security knowledge is paramount in the development of modern networks. According to Skillsoft’s yearly assessment of the most lucrative IT certifications, these abilities are highly valued. Topping the list of the 20 highest-paying IT certifications is the Google Cloud-Professional Cloud Architect, boasting an average yearly salary of $200,960.
Alongside a variety of cloud-related certifications, Skillsoft has identified five certifications in security, networking, and system architecture within the top 20 rankings:
November 2023
