Photo: LookerStudio – shutterstock.com
25 years ago IT jobs were more for nerds, but what about IT professionals today?
Carsten Johnson: How Cisco Networking Academy started 25 years ago online learning still exclusive and for IT professionals only, that’s true. Meanwhile, this form of knowledge transfer has become a key component of education and training in many fields Continue your studies – in schools, vocational training and universities.
Also 25 years ago, Germany adopted the first training regulations for IT professions. At that time, vocational schools faced the challenge of imbuing these core programs with content and life. Since then, Network Academy has also provided support in Germany with free courses, teaching materials and knowledge. Because skills are provided digitization demand is no longer only in the IT industry, but in all sectors.
How many IT specialists are you preparing for German companies?
Johnson: We already have 382,000 people in Germany IT skills trained. Especially in the last few years we have seen a huge boom, we currently have about 70,000 students a year. Therefore, we are confident that over the next ten years, a million experts will be added through educational offers.
Young people are always considered to be digital natives, is there less need for training, i.e. are other skills needed now?
Johnson: digital literacy is significantly more than Spotify. and Instagram. basic knowledge about IT security or business networking is not something you learn on the side. Therefore, the need for training does not decrease, but actually increases as the needs of companies increase. Although we see that most of the young people have a lot of experience in exploitation Smartphones it does, but not always with classic keyboards or computers. Even experienced people often have an advantage here. In practice, the available knowledge does not depend on age, but on previous activities and experience. That’s why our offerings range from introductory courses to advanced specialist courses for vocational schools and specialist courses for universities. We have the right offer for every level.
Photo: Johnson – Cisco Networking Academy.
Which certifications offer the best career opportunities for graduates? What knowledge is in particular demand at the moment?
Johnson: If you die starting salaries Specialists are believed to be in high demand. An infrastructure architect can expect an annual salary of EUR 91,500, and a security architect – EUR 90,000. But even general knowledge of one Data scientists 62,900 euros are awarded. Please note that these are starting salaries according to the Information Technology Salary Report 2022, which of course increase over the years and with additional experience and qualifications. For example, the Cisco Networking Academy offers certifications in high-paying areas such as networking and infrastructure. Automation or Cyber security. However, courses in operating systems and IT, Internet of Things or programming also provide knowledge that is highly sought after in the market.
Do additional qualifications also offer career changers or new perspectives for established people, or are you too old for additional IT training?
Johnson: You are never too old to learn. On the contrary: today there is no work without at least the basics IT-Know-how get out Demand for technical skills will continue to increase in the future, even in non-IT fields. So even people who are firmly established in their profession must continue their studies. And for those changing careers, IT certificates open completely new opportunities. Take it ReDI School of Digital Integration with locations in Berlin and Munich, among others. Here, refugees are given the opportunity to acquire skills and enter the labor market faster with internationally recognized qualifications. The initiative, founded in 2016, is a non-profit technology school that offers migrants and marginalized locals free and equal access to digital education.
Can you give some advice on what to pay particular attention to when acquiring digital skills?
Johnson: If you want to further your career in the IT sector, you should definitely…