Future of Work
The demand for cybersecurity professionals is outstripping the supply of skilled workers
19 July 2019 | Written by: David Leaser
Categorized: Business Development | Future of Work
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By David Leaser
Job growth is exploding
Law of Supply and Demand: Fewer candidates means better pay
Pure cybersecurity vs. hybrid jobs: Different pay and different skills

The demand will only increase with cloud computing and the Internet of Things

Barriers to entry are high: Now what? Certificate programs?

IBM’s new cybersecurity certificate program
IBM has introduced a wide range of options to help fill the skills gap. The IBM New Collar program has introduced the first specialization for a junior cybersecurity analyst certificate program, which is available through Coursera, and more modules will be published to create a full certificate this summer. “New Collar” is not blue collar and not white collar: These are careers where skills and capabilities are considered more important that college degrees or resumes. And at IBM, 15% of all hiring in the United States were New Collar candidates last year.
IBM brought its leading cybersecurity experts, certification architects and clients together to develop a program which provides the essential foundational skills for a cybersecurity professional. The program starts with a free career fit assessment to determine if the candidate has the innate skills, abilities and personality traits to be successful in the job. “First mile” training provides a fast, globally consistent way to rapidly upskill a labor pool. Online proctored exams make it easy to prove skills and verify candidates from anywhere in the world.
Connecting to careers: Matching candidates to employers
Employers can find candidates by searching the IBM badge database. Many students who take IBM training have opted in to be discovered for jobs and other opportunities. Talent Match allows employees to make a connection.
IBM is democratizing IT with its skills programs
By focusing on skills over degrees and geography, IBM wants to shift mindsets in the IT industry and make tech more diverse and inclusive. We want to bring in people with non-traditional backgrounds who build skills through coding camps, community colleges or modern career education programs like our P-TECH model or apprenticeship program. We want to attract people re-entering the workforce or relaunching their careers, and we want to create more jobs for people in parts of the world where tech jobs are scarce. This is about creating tech career opportunities outside the traditional areas. The big picture: IBM has a program for anyone seeking a role in IT.
IBM has a broad strategy to rapidly build skills through multiple channels:
• IBM Skills Gateway: Hosts one of the largest IT training programs in the world and a network of Global Training Providers who provide skills development programs at every level.
• SkillsBuild: Provides jobseekers, including those with long-term unemployment, refugees, asylum seekers and veterans, with assessments, training, personalized coaching and the experiential learning they need to re-enter the workforce.
• Coursera: Certificate Programs, like the IBM Customer Engagement Program, develop skills fast to land a good-paying job.
• P-TECH: Extends the typical four-year high school to create a seamless six-year academic experience to earn an industry-recognized, two-year post-secondary degree, as well as a high school diploma.
• IBM Skills Academy: Provides IT training through a network of higher education institutions.
• IBM Apprenticeships: Allows candidates to develop skills and make real-world contributions – all while earning a paycheck.
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David Leaser is the senior executive of strategic growth initiatives for IBM’s Training & Skills program. Leaser developed IBM’s first cloud-based embedded learning solution and is the founder of the IBM Digital Badge program. He is a Fellow at Northeastern University and a member of the IMS Global Consortium Board advisory group for digital credentials. David has provided guidance to the US Department of Labor and the US Department of Education as an employer subject matter expert. He holds a Bachelor’s Degree from Pepperdine University and a Master’s Degree from USC’s Annenberg School. Connect with David on LinkedIn and on Twitter.
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