IT training outlook

A U.S. Department of Commerce report on IT shows that jobs in the field are varied, complex and specialized, as are the knowledge, skills and experience required to perform them. But one thing all these positions have in common is that employers seek candidates with the exact skill set who require no additional training.

The 225-page report, “Education and Training for the Information Technology Workforce: Report to Congress from the Secretary of Commerce,” focuses on IT training opportunities, and the role of workers and employers. It is based on responses received from eight roundtables garnering insight from 145 people and a Web-based survey of nearly 300 respondents.

Despite the current dismal job market, the report projects high growth in demand for IT workers. According to the U.S. Department of Labor’s Bureau of Labor Statistics, there will be 2.5 million new jobs for IT pros between 2000 and 2010.

Companies are looking for workers who possess a specific combination of technical skills and experience, often coupled with a college degree, soft skills, and business or industry knowledge. Employers generally seek candidates with postsecondary education for professional-level IT jobs, according the results. However, employers show some willingness to hire techies who lack bachelor’s degrees for positions in tech support, call centers, Web development and administration, as well as some jobs in network design, administration or databases.

There is a variety of education choices to prepare workers for IT careers, including master’s, bachelor’s and associate degrees; vendor training and certification; high school IT academies; boot camps; and online learning. The downside, though, is that this diversity makes it tough for aspiring IT workers to choose a program that best meets their needs.

The report contains a plethora of information on many of the training options available. You can download “Education and Training for the Information Technology Workforce” from https://www.technology.gov/reports/ITWorkForce/ITWF2003.pdf .