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FEATURE: TRAINING
the CNIDP. We constantly receive positive
feedback about the programme and there
is continuing significant interest throughout
the globe, which is why we are expanding
it into more countries with further exciting
plans in the future.”
many areas. Dr Terri Simpkin, Higher and
Further Education Principal – CNet Training,
said: “Advances in artificial intelligence
and automation will shift the focus of IT
capability requiring imminent development
of new skills to just keep pace with changes
in the way IT is deployed in organisations.”
Security sector skills shortages
Speaking specifically of the data centre
sector, Simpkin said, CTOs, CIOs and other
IT strategists need to identify what their
skills requirements will be in the future and
prepare for it with current staff rather than
relying on skilled personnel turning up at
their companies looking for work.
“One response is to better identify current
and emerging skills gaps and invest in
targeted, sector specific education and
development rather than generic training
that is likely to be outdated almost
immediately,” she said. Simpkin added
that the data centre sector is at risk of
finding itself with a workforce that is unfit
for purpose if investment in emerging skills
needs is not made.
“Partnering with sector specific education
providers is one of the smartest strategies
to achieve return on education spend and
an increase in technical productivity,” said
Simpkin. “The demand for technical skills
must be addressed by utilising sector specific
education partners if the region is to prepare
for imminent capability challenges.”
Anna Collard is the Founder and CEO of
Popcorn Training, a company that promotes
cyber and information security awareness
training by using innovative, story-based
techniques making complex content simple
to understand.
Dr Terri Simpkin, Higher and Further
Education Principal – CNet Training
project from inception and deliver this to the
market through an effective tender response,
is a comprehensive programme that equips
network infrastructure professionals with the
knowledge, skills and confidence to deliver
complex infrastructure design projects from
inception through to customer hand-over.
An approved IEEE certificate programme,
the CNIDP meets the full requirements
of the international telecommunications
community. Successful completion of
the programme provides official CNIDP
certification, an internationally recognised
level five Professional BTEC qualification, use
of the CNIDP logo and a post nominal title.
She says the skills shortage is especially
acute in the cybersecurity sector. Collard
says enterprises in the sector can’t find the
professionals who have the skills needed to
implement, run and operate cybersecurity
solutions. She said: “A typical cybersecurity
professional needs hands on and practical
experience, an ability to learn quickly and
think critically.
“He or she needs to be able to identify
patterns across multi-functional domains
and be interested in various fields, ranging
from multiple technology stacks to human
psychology. These skills are typically
collected through on the job experience and
an interest or passion for the field.”
She added that CIOs should invest in the
development of their own talent.
Sector specific training
CNet is recognised as a global leader
in technical education for the digital
infrastructure industry, comprising the
data centre and network infrastructure
sectors. The company delivers instructor-
led, classroom based technical education
programmes across the world, ranging
from entry level data centre fundamentals
through to the worlds’ only masters degree
in data centre leadership and management.
One example of the training it offers is its
Certified Network Infrastructure Design
Professional (CNIDP) course. This has
been such a success throughout the globe
that more programme dates have been
scheduled through until April 2019.
The CNIDP, which focuses on how to complete
a detailed network infrastructure design
www.intelligentcio.com
The success of the programme in the UK,
Europe and the Middle East, has seen it
being launched in North America.
CNet’s President and CEO, Andrew
Stevens, said: “We are overwhelmed by the
response we’ve received since launching
“Creating internal ‘coaching and
mentoring’ programmes whereby senior
resources teach juniors on a weekly basis
can be very effective and rewarding for both
parties,” said Collard. “Offering to pay for
IT and/or security certifications is another
way to help juniors upskill themselves.
THE DATA CENTRE SECTOR IS AT RISK
OF FINDING ITSELF WITH A WORKFORCE
THAT IS UNFIT FOR PURPOSE IF
INVESTMENT IN EMERGING SKILLS
NEEDS IS NOT MADE.
INTELLIGENTCIO
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