COMPTIA IT INDUSTRY OUTLOOK 2019 - CompTIA Certifications

The pace, scope, and accessibility of innovation today provides organizations an ever-expanding array of digital transformation tools; but it also brings new challenges in orchestrating technology, people, and process. This is one of the key themes explored in the “IT Industry Outlook 2019,” the annual report published by CompTIA, the leading association for the global tech industry.

On the strength of this innovation, CompTIA projects global industry growth of 4 percent, with upside potential of 6.4 percent. Conversely, an economic slowdown, exacerbated by international trade turmoil, could push the growth forecast to its low-end projection of 1.5 percent. Growth expectations for the U.S. market are in line with the global projection.

“It’s an exciting time as we embark on the next wave of innovation. Technology is more accessible than ever; and there are more opportunities to use technology to build and grow organizations,” said Todd Thibodeaux, president and CEO, CompTIA.

“While the potential is great, the challenges and anxieties are great, too,” Thibodeaux continued. “Our mission is to work with the tech community, and the workforce of today and tomorrow, to turn the possibilities of innovation into the realities of real-word benefits for the users of technology.”

Among factors cited by industry executives surveyed by CompTIA that will help drive growth in the year ahead is their ability to reach new customer segments, and successfully selling new business lines and launching new products, such as in emerging technology areas.

CompTIA’s IT Industry Business Confidence Index remains in solidly positive territory, but there are a number of concerns on the minds of industry executives. Beyond the usual concern over customer spending weakness, executives cited the possibility of an unexpected shock, such as a financial crisis, government turmoil, and margin pressure as factors that could hinder growth.

CompTIA’s 12 Trends to Watch in 2019

CompTIA’s “IT Industry Outlook 2019” explores 12 trends shaping the tech landscape, its workforce, and its business models in the year ahead.

1. Cloud, Edge and 5G Form the Modern Economic Infrastructure
2. IoT and AI Open New Possibilities in Ambient Computing
3. Distributed Technology Models Challenge Existing Structures
4. Stackable Technologies Supercharge Digitization Efforts
5. Business of Emerging Technology Prompts Sales Channels Reinvention
6. Hyper-personalization Takes Customer Experience to Next Level
7. Partnerships Bridge Gaps in New Tech Ecosystem
8. Persistent Tech-Worker Shortages Fuel New, Creative Solutions
9. Digital-Human Models Begin to Shape the Workplace of Tomorrow
10. Technology Professionals Take the Lead in Anticipating Unintended Consequences
11. High Tech Increasingly Transforms Low Tech
12. Global Tech Hubs Put Spotlight on the Ingredients for Innovation

“This year’s trends reaffirm the importance of thinking about technology holistically,” said Tim Herbert, senior vice president for research and market intelligence at CompTIA. “While discussions of ‘The Next Big Thing’ have their place, the practical reality for most organizations is the need to understand how technology building blocks spanning infrastructure, applications, data, and as-a-service models fit together.”

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THE CENTER FOR TECHNOLOGY ESTABLISHES ACADEMIC PARTNERSHIP WITH GEORGE MASON UNIVERSITY

The Center for Tech Workforce Solutions (CTWS), a new think tank dedicated to both expanding and diversifying the technology workforce, has established an academic partnership with George Mason University to determine a working definition of employability skills, often referred to as soft skills.

Under the collaboration, George Mason is offering an honors course titled “Honor 430: Multidisciplinary Challenges in Professional Environments.” It will include three to five current George Mason Honors College students, each at least in their second year at Mason. As part of a multidisciplinary approach, team members will come from different fields of study and bring with them distinct knowledge, competencies, and experiences. CTWS will provide mentors from their staff and an honoraria to the program to further their good work, which will support George Mason University Honors College students with need-based scholarship.  The project begins on January 25, 2018 and culminates with a public presentation on May 3, 2018.

“This is a great opportunity that speaks to our commitment to building strong partnerships with academia and the community AND finding solutions that create technology career opportunities for all Americans,” said David Hyman, president of the CTWS. 

Hyman added, “Employability skills in IT careers matter more than people think. The innate personal qualities one brings to the table not only influence a person’s success in the IT field but also helps to determine the IT job role they should pursue. Defining soft skills is critical.  We are looking forward to working with these highly qualified and highly motivated undergraduate students at George Mason University’s Honors College.”

“We are very excited that The Center for Technology & Workforce Solutions (CTWS) is partnering with George Mason University’s Honors College. This academic collaboration will provide a team of multidisciplinary honors students the opportunity to investigate and develop responses to challenges currently facing the tech industry by determining a working definition of employability skills, often referred to as soft skills,” said Dr. Anthony Dyer Hoefer, Assistant Dean of the Honors College.

“Students will learn a variety of problem-solving strategies including design thinking – an approach that emerged from the engineering practice but which is now fundamental to many MBA curricula and to the process used by many consulting firms. We are excited by the challenge given to us by CTWS and the students look forward to sharing their findings later this Spring.”

About the Center for Technology & Workforce Solutions

The Center for Technology & Workforce Solutions (CTWS) is a 501c (3) dedicated to finding solutions that create technology career opportunities for all Americans, regardless of background or education level. CTWS partners with industry, educators, government leaders and non-profits to grow the tech workforce.

About George Mason University

George Mason University is Virginia’s largest public research university. Located near Washington, D.C., Mason enrolls 37,000 students from 130 countries and all 50 states. Mason has grown rapidly over the last half-century and is recognized for its innovation and entrepreneurship, remarkable diversity and commitment to accessibility.

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Get into Cybersecurity with a Security Intelligence Background - CompTIA Certification

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Pathway to Success

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Success Secrets: How you can Pass CompTIA Certification Exams in first attempt