A survey of Australian IT professionals--carried out by employment portal JobNet--found that 17 percent of those surveyed had completed a university post-graduate course in the last two years in order to get a better job.
Of respondents, 28 percent had attended training colleges or seminars, with 11 percent completing an e-learning course.
Pace of change in the industry meant that skills rapidly became redundant said Colin Scott, a director at JobNet, in a statement relating to the survey. "Professional development will be key to staying ahead of the pack," Scott predicted.
Mark McPherson, training and education manager at security advisory AusCERT, believes that the most common way for an IT professional with experience to upskill is through certifications. "I think people are going for certifications--but not wholly and solely," he said.
In the area of security, McPherson said there were a number of well-regarded courses and organisations which IT pros working in those areas looked to.
"They'll sit the course, then become a fellow of that group, and contribute knowledge to the body," McPherson said.
He said that other ways IT pros looked to increase their appeal to potential employees was through working on large high-profile projects, or working for employers which had a strong reputation in particular technical areas.
McPherson also believes that some professionals are specialising, because they "can't be a guru in all areas".
The key problem with skilling up is identifying areas where there is likely to be an industry demand and those areas that are saturated.
A further problem is in the current market, no matter what you can do, if you don't have it on your resume as actual work experience, you won't get in the door.
Why? It seems to be a question of risk. If there is someone else with the same skills, checkable references and "work experience" they are condidered lower risk.
It is also the market itself. I am getting a lot of emails from unemployed IT&T types with certification and qualifications coming out their ears, but can't get work.
The following is typical.
"At, 29 I was a director of a UK based IT company 2 undergrad degrees and two masters and I have been unemployed for 10 months..."
Brenton Thomas
www.HardYards.info