For the Individual
Current studies show that the IT market is now seeing "negative unemployment." There are more jobs available than skilled people, especially in areas like networking and application development.

The IT-related industry, with 11 million jobs, has over 400,000 of those positions unfilled. The IT industry is expecting annual growth to continue upward in every area. IT counts for roughly 8% of the current workforce and this number should continue to rise as well.

According to the US Department of Labor, some of the fastest growing jobs of the future are Computer Engineers, Computer Support Specialists, Database Administrators, Data Processing Equipment Repairs, Desktop Publishing Specialists, and System Analysts. These jobs all share the Information Technology field in common, and for the most part, these jobs all require certification.

Security has become an essential part of technology because of both September 11th and the popularity of the internet. There are several certifications that can aid people seeking to become security specialists. The most popular at this time is CompTIA’s Security+ certification. For those wishing to take it to the next level, Microsoft has expanded their MCSE to include MCSE Security which includes as an elective option Security+. There will likely be no shortage of security jobs available in the future.

For the Business Manager
Corporations worldwide are facing an Information Technology skills gap. As the strategic importance of IT increases, there is a growing shortage of skilled IT professionals. While always looking for education and experience in new employees, with the lack of experienced workers available, certification is the most important criteria when looking to fill jobs. Certification can also aid the employer in assuring that their existing workforce is capable of handling the new and emerging technologies. Research from IDC continually shows organizations receiving a strong payback from certifying their employees.