Technological and social disruption continues to transform the IT landscape in unprecedented ways. Simultaneously, there has never been a time when it has been more critical for technology, and business needs to be so closely aligned. Today’s companies are focused on future-proofing their IT infrastructure by ensuring that they have a skilled IT team that is versatile in their ability to understand and implement IT trends and respond effectively to rapid changes in emerging technologies and digital transformations. It is no wonder that present-day IT leaders are experiencing growing pains while the skills gaps across their team are becoming more apparent.
The most successful IT professionals bring value to their organizations when they can navigate complex architectures, think creatively to innovate, and turn a challenge into an opportunity. These exceptional professionals often thrive on the thrill of a technical challenge and the desire and passion for continued learning. Likewise, corporate decision-makers are increasingly recognizing the value of IT programs to encourage growth not only at an individual level but also on a corporate-wide scale. They know that their team’s ability to adapt to a dynamic environment is increasingly more essential, and by closing the gap on technical skills these leaders can achieve more robust objectives and advanced business outcomes to drive overall organizational success.
Moreover, companies that are not currently investing in reskill and upskill for their IT professionals pose a risk for the company to reach its full potential for profitability. Cushing Anderson, Program Vice President responsible for IDC’s IT Education and Skills for Digital Transformation research program, writes that the IT skills gap cost companies worldwide more than $300 billion. This is relevant because companies continue to build products, deploy new technologies, or leverage updates to existing technologies without qualified professionals who have the right skills. The skills gap cost to companies is expected to grow to more than $775 billion by 2022.
The 2020 IT Skills and Salary Report outlines several interesting findings including how IT managers report skills gaps to be one of their biggest challenges. In this report a high percentage of IT decision-makers and managers identified skills gaps:
Exist in 78% of worldwide and 80% of North American workforce
Pose a potential risk that is medium to high
Result in up to 520 hours or $29K per employee, averaging between 3 to 9 hours per week
In the technology world, the need for continued training and certification is becoming more and more evident. VMware certifications validate knowledge and skills while providing professional creditability. Plus, certifications provide IT professionals with the confidence to handle rapid changes in technology, navigate complex architectures, identify potential risks, address issues before they become a problem, and have a meaningful impact on the business. For individuals and companies alike, there are many options to achieve certifications.
Get Started with a VMware Certification & Badge
Learn how to best implement and leverage IT technology through VMware’s experts. Attain practical skills not taught in the conventional classroom.VMware certification programs help fill in the skills gap and equip IT teams with the knowledge to adapt to the evolution of an organization’s demands, enhancing training effectiveness. Managers can assign courses and curriculum while taking a more hands-off approach to let individuals control their learning pace. This approach paves the way for IT professionals to pursue career advancement opportunities that they are passionate about and benefit their organization.
Additional findings from IDC’s Cloud-Based Enterprise Application Performance Survey indicate that IT professionals with at least one relevant certification had over twice as much professional influence than individuals without certified credentials.
VMware Certification helps you understand the steps needed to achieve technical excellence. With four levels of advancement, starting with the VMware Certified Technical Associate (VCTA), then on to the VMware Certified Professional (VCP), VMware Certified Advanced Professional (VCAP), and finally our most prestigious level of VMware Certified Design Expert (VCDX), each level helps grow your confidence as you advance your career and ensure credibility with employers, colleagues, and clients. There are also additional badges that you can earn along the way.
