As enterprises integrate advanced technologies such as AI-driven network operations, multicloud networking, zero trust network access (ZTNA), and SD-WAN, the roles within networks and infrastructure are evolving. This article summarizes recent industry research, hiring trends, and certification developments that are pertinent to today’s network professionals, infrastructure and operations leaders, and data center teams. Stay tuned for ongoing updates.

According to recent analysis by CompTIA, technology employment saw an increase of 118,000 new jobs in September, based on data from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS). This surge in job creation resulted in a decline of the tech unemployment rate to 2.5%, contributing 8,583 net new positions for the month.

The latest CompTIA report reveals that job postings for upcoming tech hiring surpassed 516,000 active listings, with 225,000 new jobs added in September alone. The roles that experienced the highest growth in terms of percentage points during this month were tech support specialists and database administrators. CompTIA’s interpretation of the BLS data highlighted that new employment opportunities were primarily driven by sectors such as cloud infrastructure, data processing and hosting, as well as tech services and custom software development.

Tim Herbert, chief research officer at CompTIA, expressed in a recent statement that “it was never really a question of if, but when employers were going to resume hiring.” He noted that a diverse range of companies viewed the latest economic shifts as a signal to advance in fulfilling their tech talent requirements.

October 2024

CompTIA has announced enhancements to its Cloud+ professional certification, integrating DevOps to bridge software development expertise with network operations and address common cloud management challenges.

The revised certification curriculum encompasses topics such as cloud architecture, design, and deployment; security measures; provisioning and configures cloud resources; overseeing operations throughout the cloud environment life cycle; automation; virtualization; backup and recovery solutions; high-availability strategies; essential DevOps principles; and cloud management practices. Additionally, the program will delve into technologies like machine learning, artificial intelligence, and the Internet of Things, as noted by CompTIA.

“Organizations must ensure that their teams are equipped with the skills necessary to navigate cloud and hybrid environments,” stated Teresa Sears, senior vice president of product management at CompTIA. “CompTIA Cloud+ enables team members to effectively manage complex migrations, supervise multi-cloud setups, ensure data security, and troubleshoot while maintaining cost-efficient operations.”

Technology professionals holding CompTIA Cloud+ or CompTIA Network+ certifications have an opportunity to enhance their expertise and confirm their knowledge by pursuing the upcoming CompTIA CloudNetX certification. This new certification is expected to be launched early next year as part of the CompTIA Xpert Series, according to CompTIA.

October 2024

A newly introduced certifying program from Certiport, a subsidiary of Pearson VUE, focuses on generative AI. This week, the provider announced its Generative AI Foundations certification, aimed at equipping both professionals and students with the essential skills to engage with generative AI technologies. The certification will assess individuals’ understanding in various relevant areas.

The Generative AI Foundations certification is currently accessible through Mindhub and Certiport, as well as Pearson VUE’s online testing service, OnVUE, in addition to test centers available within the Certiport network.

October 2024

Recent statistics from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) indicate that while many IT roles are projected to expand through 2033, certain positions for network and computer systems administrators may experience a downturn. The demand for computer network architects is expected to rise by 13.4%, and there will be a 7.3% increase in jobs for computer network support specialists. In contrast, network and computer systems administrators may face a decline of 2.6%.

In a broader sense, the category identified by BLS as “computer and mathematical occupations” is anticipated to grow by 12.9% from 2023 to 2033, leading to an addition of 699,000 jobs. This sector ranks as the second fastest-growing occupational group, following healthcare support occupations, which are projected to grow by 15.2%.

Read the complete article here: 10-year forecast shows growth in network architect jobs while sysadmin roles shrink

September 2024

According to a recent analysis from TechServe Alliance, IT employment experienced a decline of 0.05% in August, leading to the loss of 2,400 jobs compared to the previous month. On an annual basis, the IT job market saw a reduction of 0.33%, translating to a decrease of 17,500 positions. In a more promising development, however, the company reported that engineering roles experienced a year-over-year increase of over 1%, contributing 29,800 jobs in that same timeframe.

“As the overall job market softened in August, IT employment continued to struggle to gain momentum,” remarked Mark Roberts, CEO of TechServe, in a statement. “Throughout 2024, job growth in IT has been effectively flat after 23 consecutive months of job losses. I continue to see IT employment moving sideways until the fog of uncertainty lifts over the economy, the national election, and ongoing geopolitical turbulence.”

September 2024

As research indicates that a significant portion of the workforce lacks the necessary knowledge to utilize AI in their roles, employee education and training regarding this technology are becoming increasingly essential.

According to Slingshot’s 2024 Digital Work Trends Report, 77% of employees feel they are not sufficiently trained or do not have proper training on the AI tools provided to them by their managers. Interestingly, only 27% of managers believe that their employees are fully trained in these tools.

The study, conducted in the second quarter of 2024 by Dynata with 253 participants, also highlighted that proficiency in AI and the quality of data are major obstacles to successful AI implementation. Almost two-thirds (64%) of respondents indicated that their organization lacks AI experts, hindering the availability of AI tools. Additionally, 45% cited the quality of internal data as a primary reason for the absence of AI tools at work. Furthermore, a lack of technological infrastructure to support AI tools is another reason for the limited usage of AI in certain workplaces.

“Data is also a top concern for employees when it comes to AI: 33% of employers believe their company would be prepared to adopt AI if their data were thoroughly verified for accuracy, while 32% feel they require additional training in data and AI before their company is ready,” the report states.

September 2024

This week, the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) released its latest employment figures, revealing a continued decline in the ratio of job openings to unemployed workers, suggesting that unemployment rates are likely on the rise.

According to the BLS Job Openings and Labor Turnover Summary (JOLTS) data, job openings reached 7.7 million at the end of July, while the number of hires was recorded at 5.5 million. Additionally, separations, which encompass quits, layoffs, and discharges, rose to 5.4 million for the same period. The breakdown of separations includes 3.3 million quits and 1.8 million layoffs and discharges. Industry experts suggest that these recent figures signal further challenging times ahead for unemployment in the nation.

“The labor market is no longer cooling down to its pre-pandemic temperature … it’s dropped below,” stated a report from Indeed Hiring Lab discussing the BLS data. “The labor market is past moderation and trending toward deterioration.”

According to the latest data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), the job market for IT professionals is projected to see a modest increase with the addition of around 5,000 positions in 2024. However, this growth will not be sufficient to balance the number of IT workers currently without jobs, which Janco Associates estimates to be approximately 145,000.

M. Victor Janulaitis, CEO of Janco, noted, “Recent BLS data indicates there are roughly 4.18 million jobs available for IT professionals in the United States. Unfortunately, layoffs among major tech firms continue to negatively impact overall IT employment. To improve their bottom line, large technology companies are making workforce reductions. Recent announcements of new layoffs include well-known names such as Intel, Microsoft, and Google. Concurrently, BLS data reveals that about 81,000 IT professionals were hired, but 147,000 were actively seeking employment in June. Our forecasts suggest that similar trends will persist into July and August.”

September 2024

For technology professionals looking to validate their skills in data science, CompTIA now offers a program that allows individuals to demonstrate their expertise through its DataX certification.

Part of CompTIA’s recently unveiled Xpert Series, the DataX program draws on insights from data scientists in both the private and public sectors. It emphasizes the crucial skills necessary for a data scientist’s success, including mathematics and statistics, modeling, analysis and outcomes, operations and processes, machine learning, and specialized applications of data science. Aimed at data scientists with a minimum of five years of experience, the program not only highlights knowledge gaps but also offers learning materials to help candidates get up to speed on expert-level subjects.

“Obtaining a CompTIA DataX certification serves as a trusted affirmation of a professional’s dedication to achieving excellence in the data science domain,” commented Teresa Sears, senior vice president of product management at CompTIA. “This program certifies the advanced analytical skills that allow organizations to boost efficiency, minimize risks, and optimize their data assets’ value.”

August 2024

CompTIA is joining forces with Gebeya Inc. to offer access to its extensive library of courses related to IT, networking, cybersecurity, and cloud computing. This partnership will enable individuals in Africa who are interested in technology to pursue IT training and certification programs through CompTIA.

Gebeya, a technology provider with a Pan-African focus, expresses that its goal is to bridge the digital skills gap and promote digital transformation throughout Africa. By collaborating with CompTIA, they aim to equip aspiring technology professionals in Africa with enhanced skills. “Our strategic alliance with CompTIA allows us to incorporate a thorough skilling module within the Gebeya Talent Cloud, granting our clients and partners exceptional 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 encompass the basics of various IT functions. The organization asserts that its extensive course library can assist individuals in keeping their skills updated with today’s demanded technology while also improving technical proficiency globally.

“We share a common objective to address the digital skills gap in Africa,” commented Benjamin Ndambuki, CompTIA’s territory development representative for Africa, in a statement. “With Gebeya’s vast reach and local knowledge combined with CompTIA’s internationally recognized certifications, we are optimistic about empowering a new generation of African tech professionals to succeed in the digital economy.”

August 2024

Recent information released by the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) indicates that prior estimates regarding job growth were incorrect. This week, the agency disclosed that there were 818,000 fewer jobs added in the year ending in March 2024 than originally reported. This news, combined with findings from Indeed showing a gradual increase in the unemployment rate, has sparked concerns about a potential recession.

According to Indeed’s Hiring Lab, the unemployment rate has climbed by .55 percentage points over a three-month average since its low of 3.5% recorded in January 2023. The adjusted statistics from the BLS indicate sluggish hiring and a milder job market than previously anticipated. However, Indeed emphasizes that there are grounds for “cautious optimism” regarding the U.S. labor market. Specifically, the number of job postings available and wage growth could lure more individuals into the workforce.

Moreover, an abundance of job opportunities, coupled with consistently strong wage growth—which, despite having decreased from recent peaks, remains comparable to levels prior to the pandemic—could be encouraging more workers to re-enter the labor market, as reported by Indeed.

August 2024

The semiconductor sector is potentially facing a significant labor gap as the rapid growth of the industry in the US exceeds the supply of skilled professionals. A recent report by McKinsey & Company indicated that investments in the semiconductor industry could surpass $250 billion by 2032, leading to over 160,000 new job opportunities in engineering and technical support. However, alongside this, there has been a concerning drop of 43% in the US semiconductor manufacturing workforce since its peak in 2000, which raises challenges in filling these positions. If the current trends continue, the shortfall of engineers and technicians could escalate to 146,000 by 2029, as found in the report.

August 2024

CompTIA has launched new career resources aimed at informing individuals about specific technology-related roles while helping them create personalized career paths that align with their unique skills and experiences.

“Many individuals are unfamiliar with what working in tech entails, which often leads to fear or the perception that such jobs are tedious or excessively challenging,” stated Todd Thibodeaux, president and CEO of CompTIA. “Our goal is to enlighten people about the vibrant employment opportunities within the tech sector, motivate them to understand they can excel in these roles, and empower them with the necessary knowledge and skills to thrive.”

Among the newly introduced resources is CompTIA Career Explorer, a tool developed by the nonprofit organization aimed at assisting professionals in customizing a career path that suits their work styles and lifestyles. With this tool, job seekers can experience “a day in the life of specific job roles and challenge themselves with real-time, realistic problem-solving” related to those positions.

Additionally, CompTIA Career+ will offer users a rich, interactive video experience that “highlights a day in the life of in-demand job roles,” according to CompTIA. This resource intends to cover up to 30 job roles, encompassing approximately 90% of all tech occupations.

The organization unveiled these new resources during its CompTIA ChannelCon and Partner Summit conference. “We want people to associate CompTIA with the competencies and skills needed to succeed in technology,” Thibodeaux stated.

August 2024

A recent study by the Germany-based biotechnology company Cytena reveals that California boasts the highest average salaries for individuals in science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM) fields within the U.S.

Cytena examined salary information for over 75 STEM roles sourced from the company review platform Glassdoor to identify the states offering the highest compensation for tech talent. California secured the top spot with an average salary of $124,937 across all positions included in the study, which encompassed a variety of careers from medical professionals and mathematicians to data scientists and both network and software engineers. Coming in a close second was Washington state, with an average annual salary just shy of $124,000, while New York claimed third place with an average annual salary of $114,437. The rankings continued with Nevada, Maryland, Massachusetts, Idaho, Hawaii, Colorado, and Connecticut filling out the top ten states that offer the most lucrative salaries for STEM-related careers.

July 2024

On Friday, July 26, the tech community will celebrate the 25th annual System Administrator Appreciation Day. This event, observed on the last Friday of July, serves to honor IT professionals dedicated to ensuring that organizations and their supporting infrastructure operate seamlessly. Some might consider it a thankless endeavor, which is precisely why Ted Kekatos initiated this day— to acknowledge the efforts of those who install and configure hardware and software, manage networks and technological tools, assist end users, and oversee the overall performance of complex environments.

Professionals in network and systems administration frequently handle support calls and resolve issues for end users, often without receiving acknowledgment for their efforts. These unsung heroes of IT truly deserve a day of appreciation — perhaps even a small token of gratitude to recognize their dedication and the countless hours they spend working behind the scenes.

July 2024

NetBrain Technologies has launched its Network Automation Certification Program, which aims to acknowledge engineers adept in advanced network automation techniques. This initiative will allow network engineers to demonstrate their competencies and convey their expertise to others, as stated by NetBrain. The initial examinations for this program are set to take place on October 3, coinciding with the NetBrain Live Conference in Boston.

On its website, NetBrain currently lists three certifications focused on network automation:

July 2024

Skillsoft recently revealed its partnership with Microsoft to create the AI Skill Accelerator program. This initiative is designed to empower organizations to enhance their workforce’s capabilities in utilizing Microsoft AI technologies, including Copilot and Azure Open AI, as well as generative AI technologies in a broader sense. The primary aim is to boost business productivity and foster innovation by enabling more effective use of GenAI applications.

“This collaboration with Microsoft marks the beginning of numerous AI learning experiences we will provide to assist our customers and their teams—from general users to business executives and AI developers—in gaining the necessary skills and tools to thrive in the AI era,” stated Ron Hovsepian, executive chair at Skillsoft, in a statement. According to Skillsoft’s annual IT Skills and Salary report, which analyzed responses from 5,700 tech professionals globally, 43% indication that their teams require enhanced skills in AI.

Skillsoft’s AI Skill Accelerator provides a mixed learning format that includes on-demand courses, personalized coaching, live training sessions with instructors, and hands-on practice labs. Skillsoft asserts that the program will empower clients to:

“Microsoft and Skillsoft have established a long-term partnership with a shared vision of enabling AI transformation across all business sectors,” stated Jeana Jorgensen, the corporate vice president of worldwide learning at Microsoft. “This learning initiative aims to equip individuals and organizations with the skills to fully utilize the potential of generative AI, Microsoft Copilot, and Microsoft’s suite of AI applications and services.”

July 2024

According to data from IT employment trackers, the technology sector saw the addition of over 7,500 new jobs in June, even as the overall unemployment rate for IT professionals rose.

Research from CompTIA indicates that the tech sector added approximately 7,540 new workers in June, marking the highest monthly growth recorded this year. However, CompTIA’s analysis of U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) data reveals that this positive trend was counterbalanced by the loss of 22,000 jobs in tech occupations across the U.S. economy. “While there are areas of growth, the latest data suggests a certain level of downward pressure on tech employment,” remarked Tim Herbert, chief research officer at CompTIA. “Factors such as AI FOMO are likely influencing some employers to adopt a cautious approach to tech hiring.”

According to recent reports, the overall unemployment rate among IT professionals in June increased to 5.9%, exceeding the 4.1% national unemployment rate in the U.S. An analysis found that 7,700 jobs were added to the IT sector in May 2024. It was highlighted that the number of unemployed IT professionals rose from 129,000 to 147,000, pointing to an ongoing skills mismatch, as many job openings remain unfilled due to a lack of qualified IT candidates. Data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics indicates that approximately 78,000 IT professionals were hired, while 147,000 are still seeking employment.

July 2024

CompTIA has made enhancements to its Network+ certification, expanding its focus to include more comprehensive coverage of contemporary network environments, aspects of physical network installations, and strategies to effectively secure and fortify networks.

The updated Network+ exam, known as N10-009, now includes topics related to software-defined networking (SDN) and SD-WAN. CompTIA stated that “the program introduces infrastructure as code (IaC), a revolutionary method that utilizes code to enhance provisioning and support for computing infrastructure.”

The revamped Network+ certification program now incorporates zero-trust architecture along with various methods for enhancing network security. For more details, refer to the complete article.

June 2024

Amazon Web Services (AWS) has introduced two new certifications in artificial intelligence aimed at IT professionals eager to enhance their expertise and secure AI-related employment. Acquiring these new skills may enable practitioners to pursue positions that demand cutting-edge AI competencies, which could result in a salary increase of up to 47% in the IT sector, as indicated by a recent AWS study.

AWS Certified AI Practitioner is an entry-level program that demonstrates knowledge in AI, machine learning (ML), and generative AI principles as per AWS. Candidates who have some familiarity with utilizing AI/ML tools on AWS and complete a 120-minute examination featuring 85 questions will be able to refine their understanding of essential concepts and practical applications for AI, ML, and generative AI. The assessment will address subjects such as prompt engineering, responsible AI use, security, and compliance for AI systems, among other topics.

The AWS Certified Machine Learning Engineer—Associate exam lasts for 170 minutes and consists of 85 questions that assess one’s ability to implement machine learning workloads in a production environment and manage their operations. Candidates who have a minimum of one year of experience with Amazon SageMaker and other related AWS ML services are ideal for this certification. The exam encompasses various topics, including preparing data for machine learning models, feature engineering, model training, and security aspects, among others.

The registration process for the new AWS certifications begins on August 13.

June 2024

In an effort to support IT professionals in adapting to the demands of AI and ML workloads, Cisco has launched a new AI certification. Announced at the Cisco Live conference held in Las Vegas, the Cisco Certified Design Expert (CCDE)-AI Infrastructure certification is designed to be vendor-agnostic and positioned at an expert level. This certification empowers tech professionals to create network architectures specifically tailored for AI workloads while also considering essential business factors, such as cost efficiency, power management, and aligning computing power and cloud resources with carbon usage metrics, according to Par Merat, vice president of Cisco Learning and Certifications, in a blog post discussing the new certification.

Cisco has introduced the new CCDE-AI Infrastructure certification, which focuses on essential topics such as designing for GPU optimization and creating robust generative AI network architectures. Individuals pursuing this certification will also explore sustainability and compliance aspects of networks tailored for AI. This expertise is increasingly crucial for organizations, as highlighted by the Cisco AI Readiness Index, indicating that 90% of companies are investing to close the AI skills gap.

June 2024

As organizations strive to attract cybersecurity professionals, the current pool of skilled workers is unlikely to meet the demand projected for 2024. This conclusion is drawn from recent findings by CyberSeek, a tool that analyzes and compiles data related to workforce needs, developed through collaboration with entities such as Lightcast, NICE, and CompTIA.

According to CyberSeek, there are only enough qualified individuals to occupy 85% of the existing cybersecurity roles in the U.S. Additionally, over 225,000 more professionals are required to bridge the cybersecurity skills deficit. The data further indicates a significant decline in job postings for all technology positions, which fell by 37% from May 2023 to April 2024.

“While the demand for cybersecurity positions is starting to return to the levels seen before the pandemic, the long-standing gap in cyber talent remains,” Will Markow, vice president of applied research at Lightcast, remarked. “Simultaneously, emerging threats and new technologies are rapidly changing the skill requirements in cybersecurity, compelling employers, educators, and individuals to proactively prepare for a constantly evolving cyber landscape.”

The roles that are in the highest 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, based on data from CyberSeek.

“Establishing a strong cybersecurity framework often necessitates alterations in talent acquisition strategies and methods,” stated Hannah Johnson, senior vice president of tech talent programs at CompTIA. “This may involve upskilling less experienced cybersecurity professionals for more advanced roles or recruiting individuals who showcase their expertise through professional certifications or other qualifications.”

June 2024

Recent employment statistics indicate that the median pay for IT professionals stands at $100,399, with total compensation, which includes bonuses and additional benefits, amounting to $103,692. The management consulting firm Janco Associates, Inc. has revealed that IT salaries have experienced a growth of 3.28% over the past year, despite the unemployment rate for IT specialists reaching 5%. Executives, in particular, continue to secure the largest compensation packages, with an increase of 7.48%, bringing median compensation to $184,354.

A noteworthy trend highlighted by Janco Associates is “salary compression.” This phenomenon takes place when new employees receive offers at the higher end of the salary spectrum for their positions, resulting in them earning more than their colleagues already in those roles.

Midsized enterprises are encountering higher turnover rates compared to larger companies, and the salary growth in these midsized firms is also outpacing that of larger enterprises. According to Janco Associates, salary increases in midsized enterprises have risen by 5.46%, while larger enterprises have seen a 2.56% growth.

May 2024

Recent studies and survey findings from IDC indicate that an increasing shortage of essential IT skills may be adversely affecting companies’ financial performance.

The IDC report, titled Enterprise Resilience: IT Skilling Strategies, 2024, outlines the key skills currently in demand within enterprise organizations. Out of 811 respondents, artificial intelligence emerged as the most sought-after skill, mentioned by 45% of participants, closely followed by IT operations at 44% and cloud solutions architecture at 36%. Other 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%).

Approximately 63% of IT leaders in North American companies reported that the deficiency of these skills has postponed digital transformation projects, often by an average of three to ten months. Survey participants shared the detrimental effects of the skills gap within their IT teams:

Given these survey insights, IDC forecasts that by 2026, 90% of organizations globally will experience the repercussions of the IT skills crisis, which could result in costs up to $5.5 trillion due to delays, quality challenges, and lost revenue. “Finding the right individuals with the appropriate skills for the right positions has never been more challenging,” states Gina Smith, PhD, research director for IDC’s IT Skills for Digital Business practice, in a declaration. “As the gap in IT skills expands and new technologies emerge, organizations must explore innovative methods to recruit, train, enhance, and re-skill their workforce. Fostering a culture of learning is the most effective approach to achieving this objective.”

May 2024

IT executives express concerns regarding a shortage of specific technological skills, indicating that if this gap continues, they may struggle to implement new technologies, maintain outdated systems, seize business opportunities, and keep their clients satisfied.

According to a recent survey conducted by an online professional training platform, 96% of technology professionals indicated that their workload has increased due to the existing skills gap. Furthermore, 78% reported having abandoned projects midway because they lacked employees with the requisite IT skills to complete them successfully. While a majority of organizations (78%) believe the skills gap has improved since last year, participants in the survey identified cybersecurity, cloud computing, and software development as the top three domains experiencing significant skill shortages. IT executives expressed concerns that the skills gap within their companies will pose challenges in the following areas:

In order to investigate the technical skills gap and how organizations are tackling the absence of expertise in specific technology sectors, a survey was conducted among 1,400 executives and IT professionals across the U.S., U.K., and India.

May 2024

Network automation remains a significant hurdle for IT leaders, primarily due to skill shortages within their teams.

A survey conducted by Enterprise Management Associates, involving 354 IT professionals, revealed that only 18% considered their network automation strategies to be fully successful, while 54% reported achieving a measure of success. Meanwhile, 38% of respondents expressed uncertainty about their success levels or acknowledged failures in their automation endeavors.

Over a quarter (26.8%) of those surveyed indicated that staffing challenges, such as skill deficiencies and high employee turnover, are pressing issues for their businesses. “The most challenging thing for me is the lack of network engineers who can contribute to automation,” noted a network engineer from a midmarket business services company, as highlighted in the EMA report. “The community is small, and it’s challenging to locate individuals who can assist in problem-solving.”

April 2024

The IT certification and training organization CompTIA is broadening its product and program offerings to align with the rising demand for skills in artificial intelligence.

AI is becoming essential for various job roles, while new positions are gaining importance in the eyes of employers. “Two entirely new job roles—prompt engineering and AI systems architects—are surfacing. These jobs correspond to the AI priorities of numerous organizations,” noted 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 competencies in AI to adapt to the changing job landscape, as he stated. “We plan to offer a variety of certifications and training programs that cater to the entire career spectrum, from foundational knowledge for those just starting out to advanced expertise for experienced professionals.”

February 2024

The year 2023 saw minimal growth in new IT jobs, with only 700 positions added, highlighting ongoing economic challenges and an increasing need for skills in emerging technologies. In contrast, 2022 recorded a surge of 267,000 jobs, with industry experts noting that the decline can be attributed to tech layoffs and other cost-reduction strategies.

As reported by Janco Associates, while approximately 21,300 jobs were introduced in the last quarter of 2023, this still resulted in a total of merely 700 new IT positions for the year.

“Our analysis suggests that the landscape for IT jobs and prospects for IT professionals are extremely bleak. Over the last year, the telecommunications sector has lost 26,400 jobs, content providers have shed 9,300 jobs, and other information services have seen a decrease of 10,300 jobs,” remarked M. Victor Janulaitis, CEO at Janco, in a statement. “However, there were some gains, with computer system designers adding 32,300 jobs and hosting service providers increasing their workforce by 14,000.”

January 2024

According to Robert Half, the job market is expected to remain strong as we step into 2024. In a recent survey by this talent solutions provider, it was found that over half of U.S. companies have plans to ramp up hiring during the first half of the year. While the findings extend beyond the IT field, the research indicates that 57% of businesses aim to create new permanent positions in early 2024, with an additional 39% looking to fill existing vacancies. Furthermore, 67% intend to engage contract workers as part of their staffing approach.

Focusing on the tech industry, 69% of the more than 1,850 hiring managers surveyed expressed intentions to add new permanent positions within their teams. However, challenges are anticipated as we move into the new year. Robert Half highlighted that 90% of hiring managers are struggling to find qualified professionals, and 58% noted that the timeframe required to fill open positions has increased compared to the previous year.

December 2023

Expertise in cloud technology and security knowledge is essential for constructing modern networks. According to Skillsoft’s yearly ranking of the most sought-after IT certifications, these skills are highly lucrative. Leading the pack is the Google Cloud-Professional Cloud Architect certification, boasting an average annual salary of $200,960.

Alongside a variety of cloud certifications, Skillsoft’s top 20 list also highlights five certifications focused on security, networking, and system architecture:

November 2023

Welcome to DediRock, your trusted partner in high-performance hosting solutions. At DediRock, we specialize in providing dedicated servers, VPS hosting, and cloud services tailored to meet the unique needs of businesses and individuals alike. Our mission is to deliver reliable, scalable, and secure hosting solutions that empower our clients to achieve their digital goals. With a commitment to exceptional customer support, cutting-edge technology, and robust infrastructure, DediRock stands out as a leader in the hosting industry. Join us and experience the difference that dedicated service and unwavering reliability can make for your online presence. Launch our website.