As companies increasingly integrate innovations like AI-driven network operations, multicloud networking, zero trust network access (ZTNA), and SD-WAN, the roles in network and infrastructure are evolving. Below is a summary of the most recent industry insights, hiring trends, and certification patterns pertinent to today’s network professionals, infrastructure and operations (I&O) leaders, and data center teams. Stay tuned for ongoing updates.
A recent survey found that 71% of 327 full-time women in IT reported working longer hours in hopes of accelerating their career paths. Moreover, 70% of those surveyed noted that their male counterparts tend to advance or get promoted more rapidly. Additionally, 31% of participants felt that men are promoted at a quicker pace. Almost two-thirds expressed that their employers are not doing enough to promote gender equality, according to Acronis.
To enhance gender diversity in the workplace, survey participants indicated that they would gain from various training and educational opportunities, including master classes, learning courses, and workshops (63%); networking events (58%); and professional organization memberships (44%). From the employer’s perspective, they believe organizations can empower gender equality by providing mentorship programs (51%), actively recruiting diverse candidates (49%), and ensuring equitable pay (49%). Explore the complete story here.
October 2024
According to an analysis by CompTIA, the technology sector saw an increase of 118,000 jobs in September, as reported by the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS). This growth brought the tech unemployment rate down to 2.5% and included 8,583 new positions created during the month.
The CompTIA Tech Jobs Report highlights that there are now over 516,000 job postings for future technology employment, with 225,000 new listings added in September alone. The roles that experienced the highest growth in percentage terms during September were tech support specialists and database administrators. The surge in hiring was largely driven by sectors focused on cloud infrastructure, data processing and hosting, as well as tech services and custom software development, according to CompTIA’s analysis of 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 broad mix of companies viewed recent economic developments as the green light to move forward in addressing their tech talent needs.”
October 2024
CompTIA has made enhancements to its Cloud+ professional certification by incorporating DevOps principles, merging software development skills with network operations experience, as well as addressing common challenges in cloud management.
The refreshed certification curriculum will include topics such as cloud architecture, design and deployment; cybersecurity; provisioning and configuring cloud services; managing operations throughout the cloud environment lifecycle; automation and virtualization; backup and recovery; high availability; core DevOps concepts; and cloud management. Additionally, it will delve into technologies like machine learning, artificial intelligence, and the Internet of Things, as noted by CompTIA.
“Organizations must ensure their teams possess the necessary expertise to handle cloud and hybrid systems,” said Teresa Sears, senior vice president of product management at CompTIA, in a statement. “CompTIA Cloud+ prepares team members to manage intricate migrations, supervise multi-cloud environments, protect data, and troubleshoot issues while keeping operations cost-effective.”
Technology professionals holding the CompTIA Cloud+ or CompTIA Network+ certifications can advance their expertise and validate their knowledge with the upcoming CompTIA CloudNetX certification, set to launch early next year as part of the CompTIA Xpert Series, according to CompTIA.
October 2024
A new certification in generative AI has been launched by Certiport, which is part of Pearson VUE. This week, the organization introduced its Generative AI Foundations certification. This program is tailored to equip both professionals and students with the essential skills required to engage with generative AI technologies. It will confirm an individual’s expertise in various aspects, including:
The Generative AI Foundations certification is currently obtainable through Mindhub and Certiport. Additionally, it is offered via Pearson VUE’s online testing service, OnVUE, as well as in testing centers within the Certiport network.
October 2024
According to recent findings from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), while many information technology roles are anticipated to expand in the coming years up until 2033, certain positions such as network and computer systems administrators may experience a downturn. Notably, the demand for computer network architects is set to increase by 13.4%, and there will be a 7.3% rise in the need for computer network support specialists. In contrast, network and computer systems administrators might face a reduction of 2.6% in available jobs.
In a broader perspective, the segment tagged as “computer and mathematical occupations” by the BLS is expected to grow by 12.9% from 2023 to 2033, translating to an increase of 699,000 jobs. This places it as the second fastest growing occupational category, only trailing behind the healthcare support occupations, which are projected to grow by 15.2%.
For further details, you can read the complete story here: 10-year forecast shows growth in network architect jobs while sysadmin roles shrink
September 2024
IT employment experienced a slight decrease of 0.05% in August, resulting in a loss of 2,400 jobs month-over-month, based on an analysis by TechServe Alliance regarding the high-tech employment landscape. Over the year, the IT job market reported a decline of 0.33%, equating to a reduction of 17,500 positions. In a more encouraging development, however, the staffing company highlighted that engineering roles witnessed an increase of over 1% when comparing year-over-year data, adding 29,800 jobs during the same timeframe.
“In light of the overall job market’s downturn in August, IT employment continued to struggle for growth,” stated Mark Roberts, CEO of TechServe, in a statement. “Throughout 2024, job growth in IT has remained largely stagnant following 23 straight months of job losses. I anticipate that IT employment will remain steady until the uncertainties surrounding the economy, the upcoming national election, and ongoing geopolitical issues are resolved.”
September 2024
As research reveals that many employees lack the knowledge to effectively implement AI technology in their work, the need for employee education and training on this topic will become increasingly vital.
As highlighted in Slingshot’s 2024 Digital Work Trends Report, an overwhelming 77% of employees feel that they lack sufficient training on the AI tools provided by their managers. Interestingly, managers are largely in agreement, with only 27% believing that their employees are fully trained on these AI resources.
The study, which was carried out in the second quarter of 2024 by Dynata with a sample size of 253 respondents, revealed that a shortage of AI skills and quality data are critical barriers to achieving AI success. Close to two-thirds (64%) of participants indicated that their organizations lack AI specialists, which hinders the availability of AI tools in the workplace. Additionally, 45% cited the subpar quality of data within their organizations as a leading reason for the unavailability of AI tools at work. Another factor affecting the adoption of AI in some businesses is the absence of the necessary tech infrastructure to effectively implement these tools.
“Data is a significant concern for employees regarding AI: 33% of employers believe their company could support AI if their data were verified for accuracy, and 32% stated that additional training on data and AI is needed before their organization is prepared,” the report states.
September 2024
This week, the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) published its latest employment statistics, which reveal a consistent decrease in the ratio of job openings available per unemployed individual. This trend suggests that unemployment rates are expected to continue increasing.
The BLS Job Openings and Labor Turnover Summary (JOLTS) indicates that job openings reached 7.7 million at the end of July, with new hires totaling 5.5 million, and separations rising to 5.4 million. The separations figure includes 3.3 million cases of quits, alongside layoffs and discharges totaling 1.8 million during the same period. These recent figures point to more troubling forecasts for unemployment across the nation, according to industry experts.
“The labor market is no longer cooling down to its pre-pandemic temperature … it’s dropped below,” notes an Indeed Hiring Lab report that analyzed the BLS findings. “The labor market is past moderation and trending toward deterioration.”
For those in the IT sector, the BLS data suggests a modest increase of approximately 5,000 jobs in high technology for 2024. However, this growth will not be sufficient to balance the number of unemployed IT professionals, which Janco Associates estimates to be around 145,000.
“Recent analysis of the latest data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics reveals there are currently around 4.18 million job openings for IT professionals in the United States. Ongoing layoffs at major tech companies are continuing to negatively impact IT recruitment. Prominent technology firms are reducing their workforce to improve financial performance. Recently, companies like Intel, Microsoft, and Google have made announcements regarding additional layoffs,” stated M. Victor Janulaitis, CEO of Janco. “Simultaneously, the BLS data indicates that approximately 81,000 IT professionals were hired while 147,000 were actively seeking employment in June. Our forecast suggests a similar trend will persist through July and August.”
September 2024
IT professionals looking to validate their expertise in data science can now demonstrate their skills through CompTIA’s DataX certification program.
This program, part of CompTIA’s newly introduced Xpert Series, is developed based on insights from data scientists in both the public and private sectors. It emphasizes essential skills vital for success as a data scientist, including mathematics and statistics, modeling and analysis, operations and processes, machine learning, and specialized applications of data science. Tailored for data scientists with at least five years of experience, the program aims to identify knowledge gaps and offers learning resources to help candidates stay up-to-date with advanced topics.
“Obtaining a CompTIA DataX certification represents a strong commitment to excellence in the realm of data science,” stated Teresa Sears, senior vice president of product management at CompTIA, in a recent announcement. “This program authenticates the advanced analytical skills that assist organizations in enhancing efficiency, mitigating risks, and maximizing the value derived from their data assets.”
August 2024
CompTIA is collaborating with Gebeya Inc. to grant access to its library of courses in IT, networking, cybersecurity, and cloud computing. This partnership will enable individuals in Africa interested in technology to benefit from IT training and certification programs offered by CompTIA.
According to Gebeya, a Pan-African talent cloud technology provider, its mission “is to bridge the digital skills gap and promote digital transformation throughout Africa.” The collaboration with CompTIA will empower aspiring technology professionals in the region to enhance their skills. “Our strategic alliance with CompTIA enables us to incorporate a comprehensive training module within the Gebeya Talent Cloud, providing our customers and partners with extraordinary access to top-notch IT training and certifications for their talent communities,” remarked Amadou Daffe, CEO of Gebeya, in a statement.
CompTIA provides vendor-neutral IT certifications that focus on the core principles of various IT roles. The organization claims that its comprehensive range of courses can assist individuals in keeping abreast of today’s highly sought-after technology skills and improving technical proficiency on a global scale.
“Our joint goal is to bridge the digital skills divide in Africa,” stated Benjamin Ndambuki, CompTIA’s territory development representative for the continent. “With Gebeya’s wide-reaching influence and local knowledge, alongside CompTIA’s internationally recognized certifications, we believe we can equip a new wave of African tech professionals to succeed in the digital economy.”
August 2024
Recent data published by the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) indicates that previous job growth estimates have been revised down. The agency informed this week that 818,000 fewer jobs were created in the year leading up to March 2024 than initially reported. This revelation, along with findings from Indeed showing a gradual rise in the unemployment rate, is escalating concerns about a potential recession.
According to Indeed’s Hiring Lab, the unemployment rate has increased by 0.55 percentage points from its low of 3.5% recorded in January 2023, based on a three-month average. The revised figures from the Bureau of Labor Statistics indicate weaker hiring and a more subdued market than previously expected. However, Indeed points to some reasons for “cautious optimism” regarding the U.S. labor market. For example, the number of job openings and rising wages may continue to draw more individuals into the labor force.
“In addition to a considerable number of job openings, another element likely encouraging workers to return to the labor force is consistently strong wage growth,” Indeed reported. Although it has decreased from its recent peaks, wage growth remains comparable to levels seen before the pandemic.”
August 2024
The semiconductor industry may encounter a significant labor shortage as its rapid growth surpasses the supply of skilled workers in the United States. A recent analysis by McKinsey & Company projects that both public and private investments in the U.S. semiconductor sector will exceed $250 billion by 2032, creating over 160,000 new job openings in engineering and technical support. Additionally, a drastic decline in the U.S. domestic semiconductor manufacturing workforce—down 43% from peak employment levels in 2000—poses challenges for filling these roles. According to the report, the shortfall of engineers and technicians could reach as high as 146,000 workers by 2029 if current trends continue.
August 2024
CompTIA has introduced new career resources aimed at educating individuals about various tech roles while helping them customize a career path that aligns with their unique skills and experiences.
“Many individuals are unaware of what it truly means to work in technology; as a result, they often feel intimidated, or they perceive the jobs as uninteresting or overly complex,” remarked Todd Thibodeaux, president and CEO of CompTIA, in a statement. “Our goal is to inform people about the vibrant employment prospects in tech; motivate them to recognize their potential to thrive in these roles; and equip them with the knowledge and skills necessary for success.”
One of the standout resources is CompTIA Career Explorer, which the organization claims will assist professionals in designing a career path that fits their work habits and lifestyles. Utilizing this tool, jobseekers can experience “a day in the life of specific job roles and engage in realistic problem-solving exercises relevant to these positions.”
CompTIA Career+ aims to offer users a captivating, interactive video journey that “displays a day in the life of high-demand job roles,” as stated by CompTIA. This initiative will include around 30 job titles, encompassing approximately 90% of all technology occupations.
The announcement of this new resource was made during the CompTIA ChannelCon and Partner Summit conference. “Our goal is for people to link CompTIA with the skills and competencies needed to excel in technology,” Thibodeaux mentioned.
August 2024
A recent study by the Germany-based biotechnology firm Cytena reveals that California offers the highest average salaries in the United States for professionals in science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM) fields.
Cytena conducted an analysis of salary statistics concerning over 75 STEM job roles advertised on the company review site Glassdoor to identify which U.S. states provide the highest compensation for technology professionals. California earned the top spot with an average salary of $124,937 across the various positions evaluated, which included roles such as healthcare experts, mathematicians, data analysts, and engineers in both networking and software. Washington state came in a close second with an average annual salary just under $124,000, followed by New York in third place with an average salary of $114,437. Completing the top ten states that offer the most lucrative salaries for STEM careers are Nevada, Maryland, Massachusetts, Idaho, Hawaii, Colorado, and Connecticut.
July 2024
Friday, July 26 marks the 25th annual System Administrator Appreciation Day. Celebrated each year on the last Friday of July, SysAdmin Day pays tribute to IT professionals dedicated to keeping organizations and their underlying infrastructure functioning seamlessly. While often considered a thankless role, Ted Kekatos established this day to honor those who work tirelessly to install and configure hardware and software, manage networks and various technological tools, assist end users, and oversee the performance of the entire IT environment.
Network and systems administrators address technical issues and resolve incidents for users, frequently without receiving acknowledgment for their contributions. As the unsung champions of the IT world, sysadmins merit this day of appreciation — and perhaps even a thoughtful gesture or gift to recognize their dedication and the countless hours spent working behind the scenes.
July 2024
NetBrain Technologies has introduced its Network Automation Certification Program, aimed at acknowledging engineers with expertise in network automation. This initiative will allow network engineers to confirm their abilities and effectively convey their expertise to others, as stated by NetBrain. The first examinations for this program are scheduled for October 3, coinciding with the NetBrain Live Conference in Boston.
On its website, NetBrain currently features three distinct network automation certifications:
July 2024
Skillsoft has revealed its partnership with Microsoft to create the AI Skill Accelerator program, designed to equip organizations with the skills necessary to utilize Microsoft AI technologies like Copilot and Azure Open AI, as well as broader generative AI applications. The initiative aims to enhance business productivity and foster innovation through more effective use of genAI tools.
“This partnership with Microsoft marks the beginning of many AI learning experiences we plan to offer, aimed at assisting our clients and their personnel—from general users to business executives and AI developers—in acquiring essential skills and resources to thrive in the AI era,” stated Ron Hovsepian, executive chair at Skillsoft, in a statement. A recent survey from Skillsoft’s annual IT Skills and Salary report, which included responses from 5,700 tech professionals globally, indicated that 43% believe their team’s AI skills require enhancement.
The AI Skill Accelerator by Skillsoft provides a comprehensive learning approach, including on-demand courses, personalized coaching, group sessions, live instructor-led training, and practical labs. Skillsoft claims that this program will allow clients to:
“Microsoft and Skillsoft have a longstanding collaboration, united in the goal of enabling AI transformation across all business sectors,” stated Jeana Jorgensen, corporate vice president of worldwide learning at Microsoft, in a statement. “This educational experience is crafted to empower both individuals and organizations to fully leverage generative AI, Microsoft Copilot, and Microsoft’s suite of AI applications and services.”
July 2024
Recent insights from employment trackers in the IT sector reveal that over 7,500 new jobs were added in June, even as the unemployment rate among IT professionals rose.
CompTIA reported that the technology field saw an increase of approximately 7,540 new employees in June, marking the largest monthly growth recorded this year. Their analysis, based on data from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), indicates that this growth was somewhat tempered by a reduction of 22,000 tech positions across the U.S. labor market. “Despite areas of growth, the current information reflects some downward pressure on tech employment,” stated Tim Herbert, chief research officer at CompTIA, in a statement. “A mix of elements, including concerns over AI advancements, seem to be leading some employers to adopt a cautious stance on tech recruitment.”
In another report, Janco Associates highlighted that the unemployment rate for IT professionals climbed to 5.9% in June, surpassing the national unemployment figure of 4.1%. Janco also noted that an estimated 7,700 jobs were introduced to the IT workforce in May 2024. “The count of unemployed IT professionals increased from 129,000 to 147,000. There remains a skills gap as many positions go unfilled because candidates lack the necessary training and experience. The BLS data discloses that around 78,000 IT specialists were hired, while 147,000 are actively seeking employment,” reported Janco Associates.
July 2024
CompTIA has refreshed its Network+ certification to provide a more comprehensive understanding of contemporary network landscapes, covering aspects of physical network setups as well as techniques to enhance network security and resilience.
The revised Network+ exam, designated as N10-009, now includes topics like software-defined networking (SDN) and SD-WAN. CompTIA explains that “the program introduces infrastructure as code (IaC), which is regarded as a revolutionary method that utilizes code to facilitate better provisioning and management of computing infrastructure.”
In addition, the refreshed Network+ certification incorporates zero-trust architecture along with various strategies for network reinforcement. For further details, you can explore the complete story: CompTIA updates Network+ certification.
June 2024
Amazon Web Services (AWS) has introduced two new certifications focused on artificial intelligence, aimed at IT professionals eager to enhance their expertise and pursue careers in the AI sector. This additional knowledge can help candidates qualify for roles that require cutting-edge AI skills, potentially translating to a salary increase of 47% in the IT field, as highlighted in an AWS study.
The AWS Certified AI Practitioner program serves as a foundational certification, affirming an individual’s understanding of AI, machine learning (ML), and generative AI principles and applications, as per AWS guidelines. Candidates who possess experience with AI/ML technologies on AWS and successfully complete a 120-minute exam consisting of 85 questions will enhance their skills through key concepts and practical applications related to AI, ML, and generative AI. The examination will encompass a variety of subjects, including prompt engineering, responsible AI practices, and security and compliance within AI systems.
On the other hand, the AWS Certified Machine Learning Engineer—Associate certification requires candidates to pass a 170-minute exam consisting of 85 questions. This certification demonstrates the technical skills necessary to implement machine learning workloads in a production environment and to operationalize them effectively. Individuals with a minimum of one year’s experience using Amazon SageMaker and other AWS ML engineering services are well-suited for this certification. The exam will address various topics, including data preparation for ML models, feature engineering, model training, security measures, and more.
Registration for all new AWS certifications begins on August 13.
June 2024
Cisco has introduced a new AI certification designed to equip IT professionals with the skills to design, provision, and optimize the networks and systems that are essential for handling demanding AI and machine learning workloads. This announcement was made during the Cisco Live conference in Las Vegas. The Cisco Certified Design Expert (CCDE)-AI Infrastructure certification is an expert-level and vendor-agnostic credential. With this certification, tech experts will gain the ability to design network architectures that are tailored for AI workloads, including considerations for unique business requirements such as balancing cost optimization, power usage, and aligning computing power with cloud demands while taking measured carbon usage into account. Par Merat, vice president of Cisco Learning and Certifications, elaborated on this in a blog post regarding the new certification.
Cisco states that the new CCDE-AI Infrastructure certification will cover essential topics such as GPU optimization design and the establishment of high-performance generative AI network fabrics. Additionally, candidates pursuing this certification will be educated on the sustainability and compliance aspects of networks that facilitate AI operations. The requisite skills are increasingly necessary across various organizations. The Cisco AI Readiness Index reveals that 90% of organizations are investing resources to bridge the AI skills gap. For more information, visit Cisco debuts CCDE-AI Infrastructure certification.
June 2024
According to recent findings from CyberSeek, businesses are increasingly searching for cybersecurity professionals, but the number of qualified candidates is projected to fall short of demand in 2024. This analysis is supported by a partnership between Lightcast, NICE, and CompTIA.
The data indicates that there are currently enough workers to fill only 85% of the cybersecurity positions available across the U.S. economy, highlighting a need for over 225,000 additional professionals to bridge the skills gap in this field. Furthermore, it was noted that job listings for all technology occupations saw a decline of 37% from May 2023 to April 2024.
Will Markow, the vice president of applied research at Lightcast, stated, “While the demand for cybersecurity positions is starting to stabilize back to levels seen before the pandemic, the ongoing talent shortage in the cyber sector continues to be a significant challenge. Moreover, the emergence of new threats and advancements in technology are rapidly shifting the skills needed in cybersecurity, necessitating that employers, educators, and individuals remain proactive in preparing for a continuously evolving cyber environment.”
According to the CyberSeek data, the roles currently experiencing the most 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.
“To establish a strong cybersecurity framework, organizations often need to adjust their talent acquisition strategies and approaches,” stated Hannah Johnson, senior vice president of tech talent programs at CompTIA. “This could involve upskilling less experienced cybersecurity professionals for advanced positions or recruiting individuals who demonstrate expertise through professional certifications or other qualifications.”
June 2024
Recent employment statistics indicate that the average salary for IT professionals has reached $100,399, with total compensation, including bonuses and additional benefits, amounting to $103,692. According to management consulting firm Janco Associates, Inc., IT salaries have experienced a 3.28% increase over the past year, even as the unemployment rate for IT specialists stands at 5%. Executives are continuing to see the largest salaries, with total compensation packages rising by 7.48%, bringing median compensation to $184,354.
Janco Associates has identified a trend known as “salary compression.” This phenomenon occurs when new employees receive higher salaries at the upper end of the pay scale for certain positions, often earning more than those who are already in similar roles.
Midsized enterprises are experiencing higher employee turnover compared to larger enterprises, and they are also witnessing a more rapid increase in salaries. According to Janco Associates, salary levels in midsized companies rose by 5.46%, contrasted with just 2.56% in larger firms.
May 2024
Recent research and survey findings from IDC indicate that a growing shortage of essential IT skills might be having a detrimental effect on the profitability of businesses.
The IDC report, Enterprise Resilience: IT Skilling Strategies, 2024, highlights the skills that are currently most sought after within enterprise organizations. Out of 811 participants surveyed, artificial intelligence emerges as the top skill, mentioned by 45% of respondents, with IT operations and cloud solutions-architecture following closely behind at 44% and 36%, respectively. Other in-demand skills consist of API integration (33%), generative AI (32%), cloud solutions-data management/storage (32%), data analysis (30%), and cybersecurity/data security (28%). Additionally, IoT software development and IT service management both garnered interest from 28% and 27% of respondents, respectively.
A significant 63% of IT leaders in North America reported that a shortage of these skills has hindered digital transformation initiatives, causing delays that average between three to ten months. Respondents have shared insights on the adverse effects stemming from skill shortages within their IT departments:
Considering the survey findings, IDC anticipates that by 2026, a staggering 90% of global organizations will experience the repercussions of the IT skills crisis, which could result in losses of up to $5.5 trillion due to delays, quality issues, and revenue decline. “Finding the right individuals with the necessary skills for the right roles has never been more challenging,” points out Gina Smith, PhD, research director for IDC’s IT Skills for Digital Business practice, in a statement. “As the gap in IT skills continues to grow alongside the rapid introduction of new technology, organizations must innovate in their approach to recruiting, training, and retraining their workforce. Establishing a culture of learning is the most effective pathway to achieving this goal.”
May 2024
IT executives are increasingly concerned about a deficiency in specific tech skills, fearing that if the skills gap continues, they will struggle to embrace new technologies, maintain older systems, seize business opportunities, and keep clients on board.
According to a recent survey conducted by Pluralsight, an online professional training provider, 96% of technologists indicated that their workload has risen due to the skills gap. Additionally, 78% admitted to having abandoned projects midway because they lacked employees with the necessary IT competencies to see them through to completion. Although a majority of organizations (78%) reported an improvement in their skills gap compared to the previous year, respondents highlighted that cybersecurity, cloud, and software development remain the top three areas where skills shortages are still evident. IT executives expressed concerns that the existing skills gap could hinder their organizations in several critical areas:
Pluralsight surveyed 1,400 executives and IT professionals from the U.S., U.K., and India to gather insights into the technical skills gap and the measures organizations are taking to combat a lack of expertise in key technology sectors.
May 2024
Network automation remains a significant hurdle for IT leaders, and one of the contributing factors is the skill gap among staff.
In a survey conducted by Enterprise Management Associates involving 354 IT professionals, only 18% considered their network automation initiatives to be fully successful, while 54% acknowledged some level of achievement. The other 38% expressed uncertainty regarding their success or recognized failures in their network automation efforts.
Over a quarter (26.8%) of those surveyed identified staffing challenges, including skill shortages and employee turnover, as major business obstacles. A network engineer working at a midmarket business services firm noted in the EMA report, “The biggest challenge I face is the shortage of network engineers capable of contributing to automation. The pool of qualified professionals is limited, making it difficult to find someone who can assist in problem-solving.”
April 2024
The IT certification and training organization CompTIA is broadening its product and program offerings to accommodate the increasing need for AI-related skill sets.
AI is becoming essential to current job roles, and simultaneously, new positions are gaining attention from employers. “Two brand new job roles—prompt engineers and AI systems architects—are emerging. These roles align with the AI-focused goals of many organizations,” stated Teresa Sears, 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 skills to fulfill the demands of the job market, in a recent statement. “We aim to create a variety of certifications and training programs covering the entire career spectrum, from foundational knowledge for pre-career and early career individuals to advanced skills for seasoned professionals.”
February 2024
The creation of new IT jobs in 2023 hit a standstill with only 700 positions added, reflecting ongoing economic concerns and an increasing demand for expertise in emerging technologies. In contrast, the year 2022 saw a robust increase of 267,000 jobs, a significant disparity attributed to tech layoffs and other cost-reduction strategies.
As reported by Janco Associates, even though approximately 21,300 jobs were added in the last quarter of 2023, the total growth for the whole year remains at just 700 new roles.
“Our analysis indicates that the IT job market and availability for IT professionals are bleak at best. Over the past year, the telecommunications sector lost 26,400 jobs, content providers lost 9,300 positions, and other information services saw a reduction of 10,300 jobs,” stated M. Victor Janulaitis, CEO at Janco, in a statement. “On a positive note, computer system designers gained 32,300 jobs, and hosting providers added 14,000 roles during the same timeframe.”
January 2024
According to a report from Robert Half, the job market is expected to maintain its strength as we approach 2024. A recent survey conducted by the talent solutions provider reveals that over 50% of U.S. companies are planning to boost their hiring efforts in the first half of 2024. While the findings extend beyond the IT sector, the research indicates that 57% of organizations intend to create new permanent roles in the first six months, while 39% aim to fill existing vacancies, and 67% will employ contract workers as part of their staffing approach.
Focusing on the technology sector, 69% of the more than 1,850 hiring managers surveyed indicated that they would be adding permanent positions for these roles. However, challenges are expected to continue into the new year, as reported by Robert Half, revealing that 90% of hiring managers are facing difficulties in finding qualified candidates, and 58% noted that the hiring process for open positions is taking longer than it did a year ago.
December 2023
In today’s network environment, having cloud expertise and security knowledge is essential, and these skills are highly lucrative, as highlighted in Skillsoft’s annual ranking of the most valuable IT certifications. Topping the list of the 20 highest-paying IT certifications is the Google Cloud-Professional Cloud Architect, which offers an average annual salary of $200,960.
Alongside various cloud certifications, Skillsoft’s top 20 list includes five certifications focused on security, networking, and system architecture:
November 2023