Widening skills gap affecting cloud computing, experts warn
Widening skills gap affecting cloud computing, experts warn
New research has revealed a widening skills gap within the cloud computing arena which could have a negative impact on the sector over the coming years.
Research firm IDC's white paper found that around 1.7 million cloud-computing related positions were not able to be filled last year as applicants lacked the necessary skills.
The paper, entitled 'Climate Change: Cloud’s Impact on IT Organisations and Staffing', highlighted a lack of global experience, certification and training in cloud-computing, meaning that many organisations are struggling to find staff to work within a cloud-enabled world.
The firm also revealed that the demand for cloud-computing specialists will continue to rise by 26 per cent year-on-year until 2015. In turn, this will lead to the creation of up to seven million vacant cloud-computing positions across the world.
IDC's Cushing Anderson told Computer Weekly that there was an increasing need for existing IT specialists to be retrained as cloud-computing experts, and also for IT students to be encouraged to work towards cloud certifications.
“Cloud-ready jobs are increasing as we head into 2013, but with this increase comes the harsh reality that IT pros around the world are steps behind when it comes to attaining the skills necessary to thrive in the cloud computing industry,” Mr Anderson told the publication.
“Unlike IT skill shortages in the past, solving this skills gap is extremely challenging, given that cloud brings a new set of skills, which haven’t been needed in the past. There is no one-size-fits-all set of criteria for jobs in cloud computing,” he went on to say.
The gap is even more concerning as news comes that as many as two thirds of global firms are planning to, or are already using, some form of cloud-computing.
Businesses looking to move services into the cloud, should evaluate the performance of their existing network and consider setting up a leased line or MPLS network.
