According to The State of the IT Skills Gap published by CompTIA the answer is YES. Not only is there a skills gap, but it is impacting productivity.

This makes us ask 2 questions:  (1) How did we get here; and (2) What do we do about it?

How Did We Get Here?

In answer to how did we get here the answer is pretty simple.  When times get tough one of the first things to go is the training budget.  Seems that somehow executives forget that it takes employees armed with the best technical skills to keep their organizations competitive.  Stopping training is like going to sleep when winter sets in.  Executives believe that if they cut as much as possible they will live until Spring.  However, in their case, when Spring comes nothing will be in bloom because they didn’t plant the training seeds of success.

What Can We Do About It?

In answer to what do we do about it?  The answer may seem simple, but it is not.  You can’t just say train, train, train.  Organizations and individuals need to do a skills gap analysis to determine where they are and where they need to be and then identify the many ways they can get there.  The skills gap analysis does not have to be complicated.  In fact, we offer a FREE 10 Step Guide to Training Success that helps individuals and organizations to help them in this process.  If you would like a copy you can sign up for a Free Account or send us an email request and we will be happy to send it out to you.

There are many great ways to get up to speed quickly and they each depend on a number of factors.  In the coming week we will be posting information on classroom training, online training and self-paced training.  If you have any questions you would like me to answer, send me an email at marianne@gogotraining.com.

The need for data storage capacity is on the rise.  Did you know:

• Data is doubling every 2 years
• Metadata is growing twice as fast as the digital universe
• There will be 1.5 times more IT professionals in storage in the next 8 years

This increase in demand is based on the rise in mobile computing, the massive amounts of user generated content, the shift to cloud-enabled services and a need for heightened security. Organizations of all shapes and sizes are scrambling to come up with new strategies to manage their massive volumes of data.

In order to help companies and individuals prepare GogoTraining worked with one of the top storage experts in the world to create the most comprehensive Storage+ course series available.

This four (4) part CompTIA® Certified Storage+ course series takes storage training to the next level by preparing you to sit for the CompTIA® Storage+ Certification Exam and much, much more. This Storage+ Certification Training Series does not stop with what you need to know to pass the exam. It goes way beyond that by providing key information and skills that will enable you to work successfully in the field of storage.

Once you complete this four (4) part CompTIA Storage+ Certification training you will be able to:

• Take the CompTIA Storage+ exam
• Understand all storage related tasks in storage networking and storage applications
• Work in a storage networking environment
• Work in the storage applications side of the IT infrastructure
• Evaluate, recommend and select vendor products
• Design a storage network infrastructure
• Configure HBAs, switches and provision storage controllers
• Diagnose problems with fabric switches
• Describe physical networking hardware
• Examine disk, tape and solid state technologies
• Identify removable media technologies
• Describe modular storage arrays and disk enclosures and LUN functionality
• Examine storage network connectors, signaling and cabling
• Understand storage architectures and attachment strategies (DAS, NAS, SAN, and FAN)
• Describe Ethernet network technology with FC SAN and FCoE
• Understand storage management and network implementations
• Identify storage virtualization
• Evaluate storage network management and performance
• Understand storage network security

When you take these courses and become certified you set yourself apart from the crowd.

As part of our March Madness Program we are giving away a course to every 100th person to Register for a Free Account. All you have to do is create a Free Account and tell us which course you would like to win.  This promotion will run through March 2012.  Don’t hesitate, Sign Up for Free TODAY!

Today more than ever knowing more is always the way to go.

Companies are looking for ways to advance and save at the same time.  Outsourcing is big and one of the main reasons for outsourcing is the ability to tap into a field of talent in a heartbeat.  If you want to get or stay employed in today’s economy, you must take the time to master as many technologies as possible and thereby make yourself an invaluable asset to the global market.

So what is the ticket today in the world of programming?

• Java lays the foundation for Android Programming
• Objective C lays the foundation for iOS 5 Programming
• Python is just plain hot

If you are considering becoming a programmer, then C Programming is a good place to start.

If you have any questions you can reach me directly at 877.546.4446 or by email at marianne@gogotraining.com.

Hiring Linux Pro’s in 2012 is a top priority for 8 of of 10 hiring managers says the 2012 Dice/The Linux Foundation hiring manager survey.  Key highlights include:

• 8 out of 10 hiring managers need to hire Linux Pro’s
• 85% of them are having a hard time finding Linux Pro’s to hire
• Companies are doing everything they can from better salaries to bonuses and perks to keep their current Linux talent
• Mid-level Linux developers and system administrators are in most demand.

If you are considering a move into Linux or want to up your current Linux skills, here is a list of courses taught by great Linux professionals:

• Hands-On Embedded Linux – New vLearning Format!
• Linux Device Drivers: Programming at the Kernel Level
• Red Hat Linux Essentials – New vLearning Format!
• Red Hat Linux Network Administration – New vLearning Format!
• Red Hat Linux System Administration Part 1 – New vLearning Format!
• Red Hat Linux System Administration Part 2 – New vLearning Format!

If you have any questions, be sure to give me a call at 1.877.546.4446 x 102 or send me an email to marianne@gogotraining.com.

Big News!

• FREE Courses NOW available to all GogoTraining Members

• All courses ONLY $397 for 3 more days – you SAVE $200/Course

• Individual users and groups SAVE 45% on 10 Packs – Only $3,276

Have questions?  Call us at 877.546.4446 or Email Us.

Despite attention getting headlines that talk about the death of Java, Java is alive and well and a great programming language to know.  Here are 9 reasons why Java is the place to be in 2012 and beyond:

• Java is the #1 language for enterprise development
• There are more Java jobs around than any other
• Demand for Java Developers is HUGE
• Java is a stable language that lets developers create well-structured code that is easy to maintain
• Oracle estimates there are more than 9 MILLION Java developers worldwide
• Oracle estimates there are 3 BILLION devices that run Java
• Because of Android, Java is one of the most popular mobile development platforms
• Oracle puts the percent of enterprise desktops that run Java at 97%
• There are 115 million television devices now running Java

If you are currently a programmer and would like to get in on the demand for Java Programmers, then you can jump straight into Java with Java 6 with Swing and Servlets.   Once you have mastered Java, you can jump right into Android Programming.

Thanks for tuning into GogoTraining.  If you have any questions on how to get into Java, let me know. You can reach me via email at marianne@gogotraining.com or by phone at 480.478.1558 x102.

When it comes to the world of certifications there are many important things to know before you jump in.

Secret #1: Certification Is A Business

Before you take the plunge, make sure you know all there is to know about what it takes to get certified in a particular area.  Do you need formal training to sit for an exam?  Do you need to have worked in a field for a certain amount of time?  What is the cost of the exam?  What is their re-take policy?  Here is a link to the GogoTraining Certification pages that give you the inside scoop on many certification programs.

Secret #2: Formal Training May Not Be Required

Not every certification program requires you to take a formal course before taking their exams.  For example, ITIL Foundations certification does not require you to have taken the ITIL Foundations course before you take the exam.  However, all intermediate ITIL exams require you to take an officially sponsored courses.  Make sure you do your homework before you take training that you may not need.

Secret #3: Training Can Be Helpful

Training is a great way to get into a field and it is a great way to refresh prior to an exam.  One of our students told us that he had over 10 years experience in his field and answered all the exam questions based on his experience and failed the exam.  He was very surprised so he took a course and immediately understood why he did not pass.

If you have any questions about certification or training, give me a call at 1.877.546.4446 x 707 or send me an email.

Marianne

P.S. Don’t Miss OUT – This February ONLY – Certification Special: Buy 2 Courses and get your 3rd course for FREE. (Send me an email and I will send you the secret code).

Based on a NetworkWorld November 2011 survey, the answer is YES.  Of the 700 network professionals surveyed 60% said certification led to a new job; 50% said they earned more pay, 40% said their pay increased by more than 10% and 29% said that getting certified led to a promotion.

The other fact that came out in the survey is that EXPERIENCE is mandatory.  Taking courses and passing exams alone will not do the trick. I’ve been in the field of technical training for 22 years and think that certifications help employers and perspective employers asses candidates.  If you are employed and up for a pay raise and can show certifications among your accomplishments that may boost your bottom-line.  If you are competing for a job and show certification in key areas, that may boost your chances when compared to the other candidates.

My bottom-line where training is concerned is to make sure that whatever is being taught that learning actually takes place.  If you decide to get certified make sure you pick a training partner that uses instructors that work and teach in their field.  Make sure the courses teach by example and include hands-on labs so you get to work with the technology and implement what you are learning.  Make sure your training provider offers after class support.  This is especially important if you are taking a live classroom course.

If you have any questions or I can help in any way, you can reach me at 1.877,546.4446 x707 or by email at marianne@gogotraining.com.

View full article:  http://www.networkworld.com/news/2011/111411-it-certifications-lead-to-higher-pay-252852.html