Cisco study finds huge networking skills gap

SAN JOSE, Calif. – The demand for networking professionals will continue to outstrip supply through 2011, says a new study released today by equipment manufacturer Cisco. According to the IDC white paper sponsored by Cisco Learning Institute, "Networking Skills in North America: Trends, Gaps and Strategies," there is a 60,000-person shortfall between the supply of networking talent and the market demand for highly skilled information technology (IT) workers in the North American workforce today. As the demand grows for IT professionals, who now represent 14% of the workforce, this gap is expected to continue through 2011, says the press release....