In response to the growing technical skills gap revealed by IBM’s 2012 Tech Trends study, and to help professionals and students learn more about cyber security best practices, IBM rolled out the largest expansion of its Academic Initiative to date earlier this month. For the first time, IBM will offer access to pre-packaged curriculum and training resources on IT security, helping students understand enterprise challenges, do in-depth analysis of trends uncovered in the IBM X-Force report, and gain market-ready cyber security skills.
Check out this podcast to hear Dan Hauenstein, a global lead on IBM’s skills programs, discuss how these new initiatives in cyber security and other advanced technologies will help to solve the global skills epidemic. http://bit.ly/XK6uiF
Skills gaps are an emerging topic among economists today, because they are emerging. Lots of data bear this out, and it’s wise for business, government, cities, etc. to start brainstorming and implementing solutions before the problem grows to be too severe.
One solution that’s proven to make a difference is investing in career and technical education (CTE). CTE programs, whether at the secondary, post-secondary or other educational level, boost student achievement and deliver increased career and earning potential. CTE also produces workers for the open jobs of today, and boosts business productivity and economic status as a result. IBM is smart to be doing this, as it will have a real impact on its workforce now and down the road.
The Industry Workforce Needs Council is a new organization of businesses working together to spotlight skills gaps and advocate/kick off CTE programs that work to curb the problem. For more information, or to join the effort, visit http://www.iwnc.org.
Jason Sprenger, for the IWNC