The Widening IT Skills Gap Worries Management

The vast majority of business and technology executives are concerned about the IT skills gap, and many reported that an overall talent gap is growing, according to a recent survey from CompTIA. The resulting report, "Assessing the IT Skills Gap," reveals that organizations find it especially difficult to hire qualified candidates for technology positions related to the internet of things (IoT), artificial intelligence (AI) and other emerging technologies, as well as cloud infrastructure and apps, and cyber-security. Given that most executives think that technology should play a primary role in achieving business objectives, IT departments are under increasing pressure to land needed talent in a highly competitive job market. "The breadth and pace of innovation point to a widening skills gap, putting further pressure on organizations," said Amy Carrado, senior director of research and market intelligence for CompTIA. "Organizations testing the waters with the internet of things, artificial intelligence, robotics, and other emerging technologies face even greater skills gaps due to the fast-moving nature of these innovations. It takes time for training materials to reach the market and for opportunities to gain hands-on experience to arise." A total of 600 U.S. IT and business executives took part in the research.