IBM has announced an array of programmes and resources to help students and IT professionals develop new technology skills and prepare for jobs of the future. The initiatives include new training courses and resources for IT professionals, technology and curriculum materials for educators and expanded programmes to directly engage students with real-world business challenges.
The new resources will help reduce a critical technology skills gap outlined in IBM's 2012 Tech Trends Report. The report, authored by the IBM Center for Applied Insights, found that only one in ten organizations has the skills needed to effectively apply advanced technologies such as business analytics, mobile computing, cloud computing and social business. In addition, nearly half of the educators and students surveyed feel there is a major gap in their institution’s ability to meet the growing demand for advanced technology skills.
“Having a highly skilled workforce is critical to an organization’s ability to innovate, meet client demands and grow,” said Jim Corgel, General Manager - Academic and Developer Relations, IBM. “In response to the growing IT skill gap, IBM is expanding its skill development programmes in key areas such as cyber security, mobile computing and commerce,” Jim added.
IBM will offer access to curriculum and training resources on IT security to help students gain market-ready cyber security skills. Cited as the top barrier to adoption of advanced technologies in the IBM Tech Trends Report, cyber security is also a key job growth area. The information cyber security workforce is expected to nearly double by 2015.
