* Robert Half Technology survey shows too many IT managers aren't being provided with formal non-technical education
Few would dispute the importance of soft skills such as project management, leadership and communication to the IT field, but nearly half of IT managers aren’t getting formal training in these areas.
The results of a survey from IT staffing firm Robert Half Technology show that only 53% of CIOs said their employers provide IT pros with non-technical education. An independent research firm polled more than 1,400 CIOs from U.S. companies with 100 or more employees, asking if their companies offer IT staff training in areas such as leadership, communication, project management and business fundamentals.
“Managers faced with an immediate need for technology expertise and limited budgets for professional development often opt to support technical training rather than invest in building soft skills, which they may perceive as less critical,” says Katherine Spencer Lee, executive director of Robert Half Technology. “However, instruction in business, management and communication can greatly enhance the team’s productivity as well as their ability to collaborate on solving everyday challenges such as improving efficiency and competitiveness.”
Lee suggests supporting non-technical training through internal programs or tuition reimbursement for external courses. She also recommends freeing up staffers’ schedules to give them time to take advantage of educational opportunities and seminars.
