Due to the fact that a number of industries are increasingly relying on their IT support staff to conduct their day-to-day operations, the job market for IT professionals with computer training and certificates is expected to grow in the new year. This conclusion is based on a December 14 report from Robert Half Technology, an independent research firm that has been tracking IT hiring since the mid-1990s, that found that 20 percent of chief information officers (CIOs) plan to expand their IT departments during the first fiscal quarter of 2012.
The report, which was formally known as the "IT Hiring Index and Skills Report," was compiled after researchers conducted interviews with more than 1,400 CIOs with businesses that employ 100 workers or more.
"The employment market for IT professionals has become more active, with many professionals looking for new opportunities," John Reed, the executive director of Robert Half Technology, said in a statement. "The new year, especially, can be a time of transition as companies staff up and IT professionals take stock of their careers."
In addition, 10 percent of the survey respondents indicated that they expected a net increase in hiring activity, which was up four points from the organization's survey from the previous quarter.
Another surprising statistic from the study indicated that nearly three quarters of all the CIOs are having trouble finding skilled workers. As a result, IT professionals who have struggled to find new work opportunities may be well advised to pursue Oracle certification or Microsoft certification. By investing in online training classes with certified instructors, these individuals may be able to gain the tools they need to compete for the new jobs that are expected to be created in 2012.