The cloud computing job market is continuing to mature and as companies define what cloud computing is to them, they will a need a new breed of cross-trained specialists to meet business goals. But finding those cloud-savvy IT pros may prove to a challenge.
A recent Microsoft-commissioned IDC study reveals a talent shortage unlike any we have seen in the past. The study is based on interviews with more than 600 hiring managers from around the world and investigates the impact that cloud computing will have on IT employment and its influence on the way organizations staff their IT departments.
The IT market is expected to grow roughly 1.5% - 2.7% through 2020 and cloud-related skills represent virtually all the growth opportunities in IT employment worldwide.
According to the IDC study, the demand for cloud computing will grow at six times the rate of IT skills overall.
While normally talent gaps are caused by rapidly expanding markets or are limited to a geographic sector, the cloud market is different. In fact, according to the study, finding people with the right mix of cloud skills will be the number 1 IT challenge for companies in the coming years.
"Despite modest growth of the overall IT sector in the U.S., cloud-ready jobs are increasing as we head into 2013, but with this increase comes the harsh reality that workforces around the world are steps behind when it comes to attaining the skills necessary to thrive in the cloud computing industry," says Cushing Anderson, program vice president at IDC.
IDC lists the top three reasons that cloud jobs will go unfulfilled as the following:
� Lack of Training
� Lack of Certification
� Lack of Experience
In general, IT talent shortages are temporary. According to IDC, however, the availability of skilled cloud computing IT workers will be a persistent and pervasive challenge that will require employers to create a sound strategy to get out ahead of this trend.
"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. Therefore, training and certification is essential for preparing prospective job candidates to work in cloud-related jobs," says Anderson.
� 2013 CXO Media Inc. a subsidiary of IDG Enterprise
