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Risk of IT skills shortfall [Bangkok Post, Thailand](Bangkok Post (Thailand) Via Acquire Media NewsEdge) Oct. 07--Thailand needs to train more information technology (IT) professionals to keep pace with new technology and prepare for the Asean Economic Community (AEC), says the non-profit Computing Technology Industry Association (CompTIA). President and chief executive Todd Thibodeaux said globally, the sector faces a significant staff shortage. "Up to 30% of the global IT workforce will be retiring by 2023," he said. "The industry needs to attract young people to address the problem." Over the next five years, global demand for IT workers will focus on cloud security, mobile app development, large-system integration, database design and network administration, said Mr Thibodeaux. Asian demand for IT workers outstrips supply by 20%, while the worldwide shortfall runs at 15%, he said. But Thailand's IT skills gap will widen with the AEC, due to take effect in late 2015. "Thailand quickly needs to increase its IT workforce before the coming of AEC," he said. AEC could also spark strikes and demonstrations within the region's IT sector. In Thailand, the five most crucial IT specialisations are security, network infrastructure, database and information management, server and data-centre management, and data storage and back-up, said Mr Thibodeaux. CompTIA Thailand is working with Mahidol University, King Mongkut's Institute of Technology Ladkrabang and the Rajamangala University of Technology Suvarnabhumi, said country manager Charles Singh. These universities have already added CompTIA's IT courses to their curricula, he said. "We plan for up to 20 universities to join our programme next year, with 5,000 certifications expected to be awarded in the country," said Mr Singh. But Thanachart Numnonda, executive director of the IMC Institute, a local IT training centre, said young Thais shun training in computer science and computer engineering, which could trigger a critical shortage of IT professionals in the country. CompTIA has awarded 1.7 million certificates, which the organisation claims can help IT staff to negotiate pay rises. The IT certification market is set to total US$700 million this year and grows by 3-5% annually. ___ (c)2013 the Bangkok Post (Bangkok, Thailand) Visit the Bangkok Post (Bangkok, Thailand) at www.bangkokpost.com Distributed by MCT Information Services |