Top Skills for Every IT Manager in 2008


Hot, Hot Skills for 2008

January/February 2008  Print

“Estimates predict that Australia faces a shortage of as many as 240,000 skilled workers by 2016,” said Julia Gillard, Federal Government Minister for Education and Employment and Workplace Relations.

The new Federal Labor Government has kicked off its term with a focus on building the infrastructure needed to improve overall skill levels.

For CEOs and CIOs however, the immediate focus is to invest in their current IT Professionals and ensure they are skilled up to meet the upfront challenges of an ever changing technology landscape.

DDLS, Australia’s leading premium IT Training organisation has identified the key technology-based training trends you need to consider to help your IT staff – and your business – stay ahead in 2008.

 

2008’s Top skills for IT Professionals

1. Unified Communications

Unified Communications (UC) will potentially enable all forms of human and device communications to be automated and integrated.

Whether your business has already invested in UC or is currently considering its potential, the key to its success will be a highly-skilled team that can deliver real business value through the technology anywhere.

The foundation skills to acquire in this area are Cisco Call Manager, Microsoft Exchange and Microsoft Office Communications Server.

>> Learn more about UC.


2. Interpersonal Skills

According to a recent survey of 500 board-level executives by Microsoft, 61 percent said interpersonal and team working skills were more important than IT skills.

Businesses increasingly see IT departments and organisations as a business enabler, which needs to be supported by teams that communicate well and interact effectively.

Technical skills now permeate every type and level of job in today’s enterprise.  Real efficiency in the workplace will not be gained until workers understand how to communicate and manage each other effectively to deliver business value.

>> Learn more about people skills training


3. Project Management

Only one-third of all IT projects are a considered a complete success.

As a result, CIOs are demanding more than ever before from their project managers – they need to have sound business acumen as well as an appetite for detail.

Of course, having the appropriate qualifications is only half the education equation as real-life experience weighs in heavily. However, you can give your staff a solid start to project management with training that is focused on business outcomes using real-world scenarios.

>> Learn more about project management courses


4. Microsoft Windows Server 2008

With the launch of Microsoft Windows Server 2008, IT managers will be keen to learn how new features such as Server Core and Hyper-V virtualisation will help their businesses.

While there will be some similarities with the previous version, Windows Server 2008’s potential won’t be realised until administrators have a clear understanding of the product.

>> Learn more about DDLS’s Microsoft Windows Server 2008 training courses

You can get a taste for some of these Hot Skills for 2008 at the DDLS annual event, ‘TrainIT for Charity’, on Thursday, 20th March.

The day is designed to be a one-stop shop for IT managers and senior executives to receive information on a range of emerging technologies to help plan their skills strategies for the next year, consisting of 50min sessions in the areas of Technology, Process and People skills.

All money raised from the day will be donated to Barnardos, Australia’s leading child welfare agency.

>> Register now and receive further information about the DDLS TrainIT for Charity Day.