Information technology employees are increasingly demanding industry certificate training to help them secure their career progression, according to a new report released by recruitment firm, Ambition.

 

The Ambition IT Career Progression Report found that 45 per cent of surveyed employees would choose study options which provide them with vendor or industry certificates if given a choice.

 

“The transient nature of the IT industry means that employees primarily have a transactional approach to progressing their career. In their view, the more skills and certificates they have, the better their career trajectory,” said Andrew Cross, Ambition’s managing director.

 

“Core skills are essential, but employers also need senior IT staff with a solid understanding of business goals and processes and team management skills.”

 

But despite the ambitious nature of IT workers, they’re significantly more hesitant to make the leap to management, with just 25 per cent of respondents saying that would choose to undertake management training.

 

Mr Cross said the report also showed that as much as 19 per cent of IT workers have no clear progression plans, meaning they may lack loyalty to their employer.

 

“IT staff who don’t have a clear vision of the career opportunities within a company may lack a sense of allegiance to one employer,” he said.

 

“To retain top IT talent amid the skills shortage, employers need to provide ongoing training and development programs and map career pathways for permanent employees.”