A Cisco-IDC study has found 89 percent of hiring managers to have a higher level of trust on candidates having certifications in new technologies.

The recent growth in emerging technologies such as Big Data, IoT, cybersecurity, etc., has led to a sharp increase in demand for a differently skilled IT workforce.

A new Cisco-IDC Study estimates India would be adding 1.4 million new IT jobs in these areas by 2027. That amounts to a “whopping” 46 percent growth in jobs created by new technologies. (In 2017, out of 9.1 million IT positions in India, 5.9 million job postings from employers were in “new-age roles”.)

Roles witnessing the highest demand right now are Cyber Security Specialist, Data Scientist, Network Administrator/Architect, Business Intelligence Architect, Machine Learning Designer, etc. “These are among the most in-demand job roles in the coming years,” the study states.

IT organisations are finding it difficult to fill these “niche roles as skill sets required in this digital age change for most industries”. Hence, several organisations are having to undertake upskilling initiatives to bring employees up-to-date with emerging industry requirements.

The study indicates that over 50 percent of IT employees have been through some kind of skilling and/or certification programmes. And 22 percent of IT professionals “self-funded high-value training” in the last 12 months, indicating a pressing need for the IT workforce to acquire new expertise.

Certification programmes also seem to be bearing fruit already. “These courses help candidates boost their career by acquiring new skills and qualify for higher certifications, thereby enhancing one’s future,” Cisco states.

The study found that 89 percent of hiring managers reported “a higher level of trust on candidates having certifications”, while 88 percent of customers experienced an “improvement in the level of service” and support to end users.

Additionally, 84 percent of IT leaders believe IT certifications “validate a job applicant’s qualifications”. Globally, new-age IT jobs are expected to add five million positions, the study found.