According to a survey conducted by Cisco Systems, deficits in IT competency for advanced skills are reported in Asia Pacific. By 2009, Asia Pacific will have 221,000 fewer people than it needs with advanced network skills in wireless technologies, security and IP telephony, up from 113,000 in 2006. This represents 55% of the total network professional shortfall, which is expected to be 396,000 in 2009, up from 210,000 in 2006. In Hong Kong, the shortfall will increase from 2,000 in 2006 to 2,800 in 2009.

This survey covers more than 1,000 middle to senior management respondents from 12 countries in Asia Pacific. It aims at measuring the gap between demand and supply for network technology competency. The “gap” refers to a shortage of labour with the required network skills to support business functions.

Findings from the survey show that Asia Pacific will have a 20% skills gap for general network skills and a larger 26% gap for advanced skills in wireless technologies, security and IP telephony. By 2009, the number of Asia Pacific countries with an advanced technology skills gap of 20% or higher will double from four to eight.

It is reported that 96 per cent of the respondents believe that the network will become more important for business operations in the future, and 32 per cent of organisations across Asia Pacific already encounter difficulties in finding appropriately skilled network engineers.

Owen Chan, president of Cisco Asia Pacific, says, “The convergence of the network with other IT technologies is creating a demand for IT staff with deeper and wider skill sets.”