The Skills Gap and Future-Proofing Your Career

I speak to so many enthusiastic people at open source events around the world and they’re always looking for some real practical advice. It’s safe to say that evidence has been steadily mounting in the last few years for a critical skills gap in the global workforce.

World dominating organisations, including SpaceX, NASA and Amazon now utilize Linux because – as the 2016 Future of Open Source Survey explains – 90% of those surveyed believe open source technology improves efficiency, interoperability, and innovation.

Yet, filling open source positions with qualified professionals remains a challenge. The recent report, High-Tech Leadership Skills For Europe – Towards An Agenda For 2020 And Beyond, created for the European Commission estimates a shortage of half a million IT practitioners by 2020, much of it in open source.

Governments are rising to the challenge by revamping education in computer science through initiatives like Computing Science for All in the US, revisions to GCSE’s for computer science in the UK, and the eLeadership skills agenda in the EU.

Companies are committing serious resources in an effort to grow the workforce they need to be competitive. The 2016 Open Source Jobs Report, conducted by Dice and the Linux Foundation, tells us that 44% of hiring managers are offering higher salaries for certified open source talent compared to other IT certifications.

When it comes to open source, the foundation is built on Linux. The Pearson Vue 2015 Value of IT Certification Survey says that more than 30% of their 28,000 respondents worldwide received a pay rise upon earning Linux certification.

So, is a Linux Certification the best way to future-proof your career? I believe the answer is yes. Which is why it’s something that I end up discussing, with people at events all over the world.

I work at LPI, and am very proud of the fact that we’re enabling opportunities for people across the world. We are the oldest and largest Linux certification body in the world.

Just this month, Certification Magazine published a salary survey which assessed the impact of Linux certifications on pay. Our certifications are at the top of the list, with LPIC-2 ranking as the highest paid Linux certification globally.

We don’t mandate how you learn, so if you are already experienced in Linux, you might not need to take training before you can take the exam – you could get certified today.

While I’m obviously biased, the numbers speak for themselves. Linux and open source certifications really do open the door to greater opportunities and higher salaries.

Which is why, when talking to young people, like my own son, I say in no uncertain terms that LPI’s certifications are hands down among the best certifications for an IT professional to hold.

The future is hiring. I invite you to be part of it.

Sources: The Foote Partners Report, ‘IT Skills and Certification Index’, 2014 | ITCC Whitepaper, ‘Trends That Will Affect the IT Certification Industry by 2020’, 2016 | CompTIA HR Report, ‘Perceptions of IT Training and Certification, 2015 | The Linux Foundation, ‘Open Source Jobs Report’,  2016 | Certification Magazine ‘Top Linux Certs by Salary’, 2017 | Report for the European Commission, ‘High-Tech Leadership Skills For Europe – Towards An Agenda For 2020 And Beyond’, March 2017