Global Knowledge

By Ryan Day
Ask IT professionals! There is only one way to discover the true perspectives, challenges, and achievements of IT professionals. For the 11th consecutive year, we did exactly that.
Download your 2018 Global Knowledge IT Skills and Salary Report now. We surveyed more than 16,000 IT professionals worldwide and asked them for their insights on training, salaries, job satisfaction and certifications. Our annual report is the most comprehensive in the sector, and provides the most complete picture of IT departments worldwide.
Here are five highlights from the report to whet your appetite.

1. The decrease in skills gaps has been partially due to an increase in IT training
The bad news is that skills gaps are increasing.
They aren’t up as much this year, which is the good news. Not even close.

Seventy percent say that their IT teams are facing a shortage in skills. IT professionals are taking action, even though this is a significant number and a concern. 88% of respondents reported that they had received some training in the last year, which is the highest percentage in 11 years of reporting. This is a direct result of the skills gap.
Skills gaps increased 37% in 2017 compared to the previous year. They are up 2 percent this year. While any increase is bad, a greater effort to train likely has slowed the growth.
Many IT professionals are now trained to solve specific problems, rather than general skill-building. We expect to see a greater emphasis on professional development as a result of skill shortages that will impact employee stress, deployments, and organizational goals.
We cannot predict the future, so skills gaps are almost inevitable. The challenge is to reduce these gaps.
– Survey respondent

2. IT professionals who do not train are more likely than others to change jobs.
Training doesn’t just affect skills gaps. Three quarters of respondents who have trained in the last year are happier in their jobs than those who did not. This is another reason managers should look for professional development opportunities to help their teams.
Investment in employees is often more important that compensation. Pay is not always the most motivating factor we think it should be. Proper training can lead you to greater professional achievements, which can in turn lead to higher pay. Everyone is happy.
IT professionals who didn’t complete their training in 2017 are 70% more likely not to be satisfied with their jobs. 69% of IT professionals who are unhappy in their jobs are more likely to seek employment elsewhere.

Global Satisfaction vs. Possibility to Find a New Position
Not Likely to Pursue a New PositionSomewhat Likely to Pursue a New PositionVery Likely to Pursue a New PositionNot Satisfied6.8%24.4%68.8%Somewhat Satisfied20.4%47.8%31.8%Satisfied57.1%29.2%13.7%
Our report also found that entry-level workers are not content with being employed. Our data shows that employees with less than five years of tenure are more likely to leave their job and seek out new opportunities.
IT is a challenging field. It is crucial to find training opportunities for your staff if you are a decision maker looking to retain your staff.
I enjoy my job and the people I work alongside. My supervisor is supportive of what I do, challenges and treats me with respect.
– Survey respondent

3. Certification benefits outweigh certification costs
We know that IT professionals who are certified are well-paid, especially those with credentials in governance, cybersecurity, and business architecture.
We also know that certification can be costly and requires a lot preparation.
Our data shows that the benefits outweigh the investment.
IT decision-makers almost unanimously agree that t