REDMOND, Wash. – Dec. 19, 2012 –
The information technology forecast for the next two years calls for
increasing cloudiness – cloud computing job opportunities, that is.
One in four IT positions worldwide is currently unfilled, and 28
percent of those are cloud-related, according to research [1] released
today by the International Data Corporation (IDC). The research also
shows that an estimated 1.7 million cloud-related IT jobs are open
worldwide right now, and there will be as many as 7 million cloud
computing jobs available by 2015.
Spiral Genetics CEO Adina Mangubat
December 19, 2012
Adina
Mangubat, CEO of the Seattle-based – and cloud-based – Spiral Genetics,
says students increasingly need cloud competency no matter what field
they’re in, whether it’s biology or art history.
“This says something about the worldwide IT economy that’s really
interesting,” said Cushing Anderson, vice president of IDC. “There are a
lot of positions available, up to 1.7 million jobs worldwide, and there
are far fewer than 1.7 million people who are currently skilled to take
these positions.”
Microsoft commissioned the study by IDC, and the global IT
research firm interviewed more than 600 hiring managers around the globe
to investigate how cloud computing will change IT employment worldwide.
“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,” Anderson said. “There is no
one-size-fits-all set of criteria for jobs in cloud computing.
Therefore, training and certification is essential for preparing
prospective job candidates to work in cloud-related jobs.”
The study found that businesses from around the globe have common
questions and concerns about cloud computing, whether it’s how companies
manage their security and data control in the cloud, or how they’ll
find qualified cloud-trained workers.
Lutz Ziob, general manager of Microsoft’s training and
certification organization, Microsoft Learning, said the results of the
study didn’t surprise him that much. However, it did re-emphasize the
need for businesses and job-seekers alike to invest in IT skills, and in
particular cloud-computing skills, to meet the increasing demands.
For 20 years, Microsoft Learning has provided training and
certification for all of its technology products via classroom and
online courses and exams. Microsoft has more than 20,000 certified
trainers around the world, he said.
“That is by far the biggest ecosystem of IT trainers in the world
standing by to help teach those skills,” Ziob said. “We have to work
together to close the skills gap, but I’m confident we will.”
‘An Explosion of Data’
IDC found that nearly two-thirds of businesses are using, or
planning to use, cloud computing, and that 50 percent of businesses
believe cloud computing is a high priority.
Adina Mangubat, CEO of the Seattle-based Spiral Genetics, is an
example. Spiral Genetics uses cloud computing as its only platform to do
DNA sequencing for a wide variety of applications – from pediatric
cancer to breeds of corn – more simply and affordably. When the company
was founded in 2009, the cost of sequencing a human genome was up to
US$100,000 and could take about a month.
IDC VP Cushing Anderson
December 19, 2012
Cushing
Anderson, vice president of IDC, says his firm’s recent study shows
there are far more IT jobs available than there are cloud-skilled
workers to fill them.
“Now we can do a whole genome in a day for a couple of thousand
dollars,” Mangubat said. “Because of this you’re seeing an explosion of
data. Researchers really, really need high-performance, scalable, fast
analysis tools.”
There is a need for such tools, and also employees skilled in
using them. Mangubat hasn’t found many cloud-ready job candidates, and
has instead opted to hire employees who are a good fit first and then
invest in cloud-training them.
“At this point, universities have to produce people who understand
the cloud,” she said. “I think we’re seeing a shift for almost
everybody. No matter what field you’re in, biology or art history,
you’re going to have to understand how cloud computing works. I think
we’re going to see every industry dealing with data.”
Anderson agrees.
“The cloud is going to touch almost every component and every area
of IT, “Anderson said. “There’s no obsolete IT technology, but
everyone’s IT skills are going to need to be updated in order to work in
a cloud environment.”
To address the immediate shortage of cloud-certified job
candidates worldwide, Anderson said he encourages businesses to do just
what Mangubat does – to find great employees, and to invest in cloud
training for them.
“As opposed to leaving a position open for a year and waiting for a
perfect set of skills, hire someone with potential and train them,”
Anderson said.
The Jobs of Tomorrow
The shortage of cloud-savvy job candidates is one of the biggest
challenges for companies worldwide. From the business’s point of view,
hiring managers are looking for job candidates that have proven
certifications.
Which means from a job candidate’s point of view, spending time
and money on training could put them in a much better position for
cloud-related IT jobs, Anderson said.
Persistence Wins Over Poverty
December 19, 2012
South
African Goodwill Kwenza Khuzwayo was born into poverty, but had long
dreamed of working with computers. His dream got a boost when he won a
radio contest that helped pay for technology training; he now works in
IT.
Download: Web
Not only is the skills gap a problem for businesses, it’s a
problem for the growth of cloud computing as a platform. That was one of
the key reasons why Microsoft Learning updated its entire certification
program in April, so that every technology certification is relevant
for cloud-related jobs.
“That’s going to be the gating factor for cloud adoption –
availability of skilled staff, and the ability of an IT organization to
train staff to get good at this,” Cushing said. “Clearly there’s not
enough experienced staff out there.”
According to the study, businesses are looking for potential
employees to possess specific skills – knowing the steps to successfully
adopt cloud computing, knowing the steps to effectively implement cloud
computing, understanding how the cloud impacts IT service, knowing
where the cloud adds risk and where it strengthens the business, and
understanding the risks and consequences of cloud computing.
To wit, Microsoft has a “rich, robust” offering of hands-on
learning materials, Ziob said, much of which is available free online
from the Microsoft Virtual Academy.
“This skillset exists,” Ziob said. “It’s real, and Microsoft IT
Academy gives students the skills and certifications they need to be
ready for cloud-related jobs and careers.”
Such classes include Administering Office 365 for Small
Businesses, Introduction to the Public and Private Cloud, Upgrading Your
Skills to Windows 8, and many more.
“Our goal is to continue to prepare students today for the jobs of
tomorrow, and empower them to develop their skills as future IT
experts, innovators, software developers, and beyond,” Ziob said.
Tech Skills, Persistence Pay Off
When it comes to pursuing technology training, Goodwill Kwenza Khuzwayo is as persistent as they come.
He was born into poverty, and though the South African had long
been fascinated with technology, earning an income to support himself
and his family took priority over education and training. A few years
ago he moved to a “shack” in Johannesburg in the hopes of finally
becoming trained IT worker, but soon after he was in a taxi accident
that left him disabled and reliant on crutches.
“As I am always positive and had to be for the sake of my new family, I did not give up,” he said.
Still, he was working at a pool company in the suburbs, earning a
low salary and with no opportunity for advancement. Three years ago, his
best friend Nikki Barnard did something that would change his life –
she entered him in a radio station’s Christmas wish list competition,
his wish being to study IT, and he won. A transport company sponsored
Khuzwayo’s studies, and though his education was anything but smooth
sailing, he is now a Microsoft Certified IT Professional.
“Not even one month after completing my Microsoft Certification, I
got hired by the South African Electronic Toll Gates Agency and was
placed in their IT department,” he said. “My dream and goal is to gain
some much needed work place experience and work my way up to become an
enterprise administrator.”
Microsoft will play a central role in the cloud revolution, not
only because of its technology, but because of its potential to help
reduce the shortage of cloud-trained workers and therefore speed up the
worldwide adoption of cloud computing as a platform, Anderson said.
“I think Microsoft is at the front edge at recognizing how cloud computing will change IT organizations,” Anderson said.
[1] Climate Change: Cloud's Impact on IT Organizations and Staffing, IDC #237631, November 2012.
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