05 May 2017

The top cloud-related skill IT pros improved over the past 12 months was automation.

An IT skills gap is seen as one of the five biggest challenges of the cloud and hybrid IT, reveals SolarWinds in its latest IT Trends report.

According to the network management software specialist, UK organisations are moving further into the cloud with 92 per cent of IT pros in its study reporting they have migrated critical applications and infrastructure over the past year.  

However, 58 per cent said a skills gap was one of the five biggest challenges of the cloud and hybrid IT, while 47 per cent said it was increased workload/responsibilities.

More than half (59 per cent) indicated that hybrid IT has required them to acquire new skills, while nine per cent said it has altered their career path.

The report states that 46 per cent of organisations have already hired/reassigned IT personnel (or plan to do so) for the specific purpose of managing cloud technologies.

The top cloud-related skill IT pros improved over the past 12 months was automation, with 36 per cent focusing on it. This was followed by migration skills (31 per cent) and vendor management (27 per cent).

Nearly half do not believe that those entering the workforce now possess the skills necessary to manage hybrid IT environments.

The findings of SolarWinds IT Trends Report 2017: Portrait of a Hybrid IT Organisation are based on a survey of 160 IT practitioners, managers and directors carrid out last December.

Respondents were from UK public and private sector small, mid-size, and enterprise organisations who are leveraging cloud-based services for at least some IT infrastructure.