CompTIA to create RFID certification

CompTIA has teamed up with six radio frequency identification organizations to develop a vendor-neutral certification aimed at IT pros interested in getting their skills validated in this wireless technology. CompTIA says it aims to launch an RFID certification – tentatively named RFID+ – at year-end.

The trade association says there is an “RFID talent pool in need of filing.” According to a recent survey of 51 CompTIA member organizations, 80% said they do not believe there are sufficient numbers of professionals skilled in RFID to hire in today’s market. Two-thirds of the respondents said training and educating their employees in the technology is one of the biggest challenges they will face in order to succeed in the RFID market.

The survey respondents were value-added resellers, consultants, systems integrators and manufacturers.

Although fewer than 20% of the respondents said their customers have implemented RFID systems, a full 37.3% said they would offer RFID products and services in the next three years, and 39.2% said they would consider it if there is customer interest. With organizations such as Wal-Mart, Target and the U.S. Department of Defense mandating the use of RFID by their suppliers, now might be a good time to start thinking about getting training in this technology if you see RFID in your future.

According to David Sommer, vice president of e-commerce at CompTIA, the certification will be at a foundational level, but not entry-level. Applicants will require basic understanding of IT concepts and could be network engineers or software developers.

Among the six RFID organizations working with CompTIA is OTA Training, which already offers RFID training and certification to various levels including Associate, System Engineer, and Solution Architect. OTA will contribute its proprietary RFID courseware to assist CompTIA in creating a vendor-neutral RFID certification.

CompTIA and the six organizations will hold their first meeting in late April, when they will discuss the content of the certification, its scope and target audience. CompTIA expects to add another nine organizations to the group, including additional training companies and end user firms.

The original six organizations include RFID manufacturer Intermec, RFID transponder maker Texas Instruments, and RFID integration services supplier FC Business Systems.

If you are interested learning more about RFID training, keep an eye out for a feature story on this subject by my Network World colleague Senior Editor Ann Bednarz. That story is scheduled to appear in the April 11 issue of Network World.