Cloud computing has become the most valuable skill for IT professionals to have in terms of career path and advancement, according to new research from recruitment specialist Robert Half Technology.
Thirty nine per cent of IT directors said that cloud computing is the most valuable skill for IT professionals to have, followed by security (37%), project management (33%), virtualization (29%), network administration and engineering (27%), mobile and application development (27%), database management (24%), C# development (15%), business intelligence (14%) and Java development (13%).
The huge rise in adoption of cloud computing initiatives is driving organisations to employ greater numbers of cloud experts, found the research. Almost half (41%) of IT directors surveyed said that they would be hiring additional staff to support cloud initiatives.
“The fact that so many companies are investing in cloud initiatives means that there are rich opportunities, and a clear career path, for IT professionals with cloud skills,” said Phil Sheridan, UK managing director for Robert Half Technology.
“With such a high proportion of companies planning to hire additional staff in this area, it’s clearly a good time to focus on cloud skills, as well as security around cloud initiatives. However, project management and virtualization skills are also highly valued by IT directors, so these are worth focusing on as well.”
