Compare the most in-demand IT skills from 2012 to 2013. View online at http://www.itcareerfinder.com/brain-food/blog/entry/top-9-it-skills-in-demand-for-2012.html

1. Top IT Skills In Demand 2012 - 2013

2. Summary & Methodology
Computerworld’s latest IT forecast survey indicates the hottest IT skills for 2012 and beyond.
In June of 2011, Computerworld.com, a leading source of cutting-edge
technology information for IT enthusiasts, professionals and executives -
polled 353 IT managers about their technology hiring plans for 2012 in its
annual IT forecast survey. The results provide valuable insight into which
technology skills & expertise are likely to be the most sought-after in 2012.
Subject matter experts at ITCareerFinder, a world-class online community for
career-minded IT professionals, analyzed and summarized CW’s survey
results to create this concise breakdown of the most demanded computer
skills, desirable certifications and red-hot IT career tracks for 2012 & beyond.
Sources: Computerworld’s 2012 IT Forecast Survey • ITCareerFinder.com

3. Programming and
61% Application Development
61% of the IT executives plan to hire web and application developers in
2012. Driven by continued fast-paced growth in the handheld device
market, this represents the largest growth percentage for a single IT skill
set. Organizations will hire an unprecedented amount of skilled & talented
mobile application developers from 2012 through 2013 and beyond to
develop a range of innovative applications to meet the exacting needs of
smartphone and tablet users.
Sources: Computerworld’s 2012 IT Forecast Survey • ITCareerFinder.com

4. 44% IT Project Management
44% of the tech execs will hire project mangers in 2012. Complex projects
will demand skilled IT Project Managers to ensure that goals are met on
time, under budget and to specs. The demand is highest for those who can
also play the increasingly demanded role of computer systems analyst -
meaning managers want PMs who will not only oversee projects, but help
the organization plan and strategize the best ways to maximize the ROI of
technologies and IT personnel.
Sources: Computerworld’s 2012 IT Forecast Survey • ITCareerFinder.com

5. Help Desk Technicians
35% & Technical Support
35% of the IT executives plan to hire help desk technicians and IT support
personnel this year. Until the day when computers are no longer used in
business, IT support technicians will have a job. For 2012, mobile devices
have added a new dimension to the tech support job role, expanding the
knowledge-base and advancement opportunities for these indispensable
professionals. Achieving skills and certifications that validate mobile
computing skills in a popular Operating Systems – such as the MCTS:
Windows 7 Configuration - will help you leverage this trend to get hired.
Sources: Computerworld’s 2012 IT Forecast Survey • ITCareerFinder.com

6. 35% Computer Networking
35% of the IT executives surveyed plan to hire networking professionals in
2012. Increased demand for network administrators and managers is
fueled in part by the rapid increase in cloud computing and virtualization
initiatives. Specific in-demand qualifications for networking professionals
include skills, experience and certifications in VMware virtualization and
Citrix cloud technologies. Microsoft’s new cloud-based certifications will
also help candidates validate skills in this domain.
Sources: Computerworld’s 2012 IT Forecast Survey • ITCareerFinder.com

7. 23% Business Intelligence
23% of the IT executives surveyed will hire business intelligence specialists
in 2012. Increased demand for technicians and managers with BI skills is a
positive indicator of confidence and growth in IT employment, as it shows
a shift from the recent culture of “save costs at all costs,” to innovating
and investing in new technologies for smarter business decisions.
Noteworthy benefactors of the increased demand for business
intelligence skills include certified Microsoft SQL Server BI Specialists.
Sources: Computerworld’s 2012 IT Forecast Survey • ITCareerFinder.com

8. 18% Data Center Skills
18% of the IT executives plan to hire data center professionals in 2012.
Increased demand for data center technicians is another byproduct of
businesses’ increased focus on cloud and virtualization strategies, as well
as “green” initiatives. “Hiring managers will be looking for IT professionals
with skills and expertise in data center operations & systems integration,”
said John Reed, Executive Staffing Director of IT staffing giant, Robert
Half Technology.
Sources: Computerworld’s 2012 IT Forecast Survey • ITCareerFinder.com

9. 18% Web 2.0 Skills
18% of tech execs will hire programmers with Web 2.0 development skills in
2012. Demand for these skills will increase as businesses look to engage
young consumers & spur a competitive advantage in red-hot social media
and networking platforms. In demand programming skills include HTML,
XML, CSS, Flash & JavaScript on the front-end; and AJAX, PHP, Perl & Visual
Basic on the back-end. Web Developers & Computer Programmers will
capitalize on this concerted push to hire professionals with Web 2.0 skills.
Sources: Computerworld’s 2012 IT Forecast Survey • ITCareerFinder.com

10. 17% Information Security
17% of the executives surveyed plan to hire IT Security Technicians this
year. Information security remains a chief concern for IT managers in 2012
and beyond as the frequency and severity of cyber-crimes continues to
escalate. The IT execs report a significant skills gap in IT security & auditing
skills, finding it difficult to locate talent, indicating a great opportunity for
IT pros to advance their information security skills. Security skills in the
most demand include operations security, mobile device & wireless
security, risk management, network security and cloud security skills.
Sources: Computerworld’s 2012 IT Forecast Survey • ITCareerFinder.com

11. 9% Telecommunications
9% of the technology executives surveyed by ComputerWorld plan to hire
telecommunications professionals in 2012 to 2013. IT professionals with
telecommunications skills and experience will enjoy increased demand as
businesses continue to upgrade call centers, wired and wireless
communication systems with cutting-edge digital hardware & software.
Telecommunications skills in the greatest demand include IP telephony,
VOIP and Cisco IP Call Center.
Sources: Computerworld’s 2012 IT Forecast Survey • ITCareerFinder.com

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14. Source Materials
Current and reliable data from around the Web.
 Computerworld IT Forecast 2012 Survey
(Published Q4 2011)
 U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics' 2012-2013 Occupational Outlook Handbook
(Released March 29, 2012)