The technology skills shortage in the US is a significant problem for tech firms, software development companies, cybersecurity businesses, and the economy as a whole. With such needs, these organizations struggle to find employees with the necessary knowledge to fill open positions. This shortfall is causing companies to lose out on opportunities and limiting their growth.
Cybersecurity roles have been especially affected by skills shortages. According to Fortune.com, “In the US, there are about one million cyber workers and over 700,000 unfilled cybersecurity roles as of November 2021.” Cybersecurity Ventures says that the number of unfilled cybersecurity jobs grew by 350 percent, from one million positions in 2013 to 3.5 million in 2021.
The lack of qualified workers in these critical fields also prevents the US from keeping up with other countries regarding technological advancement. To address this issue, we need to invest in training and education programs to quickly give workers the necessary skills. This is critical for the future of our economy and our country.
The most sensible solution to address the skills shortage in the near term is to offer condensed training in the specific areas where shortfalls are currently and where experts project them for the future. In a recent and noteworthy press release, the University of Louisiana at Lafayette announced that they have teamed with the Institute of Data to offer intensive bootcamps in software engineering, data science, and cybersecurity to upskill workers and support business growth.
According to CybersecurityGuide.org, “These concentrated educational programs take their name from military basic training schools called bootcamps… While bootcamps provide students with the fundamental skills and knowledge to join the workforce as cybersecurity professionals, they do not include general education or elective courses.”
Concentrated bootcamp-like educational programs offer several advantages over traditional degree programs. First, they provide students with the fundamental skills and knowledge to join the workforce as technology or cybersecurity professionals. They also allow students to learn new skills and improve their existing ones in a short period of time. Finally, they are affordable, so workers can afford to take them.
These bootcamps provide an excellent opportunity for workers to gain the necessary skills to fill open positions in technology fields. They also help businesses to find qualified employees quickly. This is critical for the future of our economy and our country. We need to invest in training and education programs to give workers the skills they need to succeed in technology.
Peter Harpur, CEO, Institute of Data
Dr. Martha Bryant, Director, University of Louisiana Office of Professional and Continuing Education
Chris Elam, Vice President, Institute of Data
Speaking about their new partnership, Peter Harpur, CEO of the Institute of Data, said, “These programs delivered at scale with the University of Louisiana at Lafayette will make a difference because they don’t take four years to complete, they are delivered in an intensive applied skills format in only three months to six months. Most importantly they teach practical skills, which is why they work to get people into their first tech role fast, generating income and contributing to the economy.”
“There is a great interest in Cyber Security Certification in our state,” said Dr. Martha Bryant, Director, Office of Professional and Continuing Education. “The Office of Professional and Continuing Education, University of Louisiana at Lafayette, sees the importance in investing in adult learners through robust and rigorous learning opportunities for the business professional and corporate community. The University of Louisiana at Lafayette is pleased to partner with Institute of Data to bring a value-added benefit to the employee-employer relationship” through professional learning opportunities that will increase economic growth and development.
Offering these bootcamps is a great way to invest in the future of our workforce. It will help ensure businesses have the employees they need to grow and succeed. It will also help to keep our country at the forefront of technological advancement. These specific programs are designed to serve the Louisiana and Gulf of Mexico region, and we encourage other colleges and universities across the country to follow suit.
About Institute of Data
The Institute of Data is a professional network of Cyber Security, Data Science, and Software Engineering professionals. In partnership with leading universities, governments, and thousands of employers, we transform careers for a data-driven world. With the rapid adoption of information technology, Cyber Security, Data Science, and Software Engineering are increasingly important to our economy and society. We help professionals build a data career in these high-growth industries through our education programs and established industry networks.
About the University of Louisiana
The University of Louisiana at Lafayette, the largest campus of the University of Louisiana System, offers bachelor’s, master’s, and doctoral degrees. The University has a total enrollment of over 19,000 students. Within the Carnegie classification, the University is designated as a Research University with Very High Research Activity. The University is dedicated to achieving excellence in undergraduate and graduate education, research, and public service.
Steven Bowcut is an award-winning journalist covering cyber and physical security. He is an editor and writer for Brilliance Security Magazine as well as other security and non-security online publications. Follow and connect with Steve on Twitter, Instagram, and LinkedIn.