Bridging the Cloud Skills Gap

Massive changes like those brought about by the COVID-19 pandemic obviously create significant business challenges. But they can also offer new opportunities for those able to identify them and willing to adapt to the new possibilities.

One industry that has benefited in the wake of the pandemic as others have stumbled is cloud computing. “The massive shift to remote work skyrocketed demand for cloud-based consumer and business services,” writes Flemming Goldbach in an article for UK-based, HR News. “New research finds that a large majority of IT leaders have increased their use of cloud as a result of the pandemic.”

Increased Demand for Cloud Computing

Cloud computing refers to the provision of computing services over the Internet instead of hosted on one’s physical hardware. This could mean data are stored in the cloud or applications are run from the cloud. It’s an increasingly common paradigm in information technology given its numerous advantages, including security, cost savings, flexibility, disaster recovery, and others.

Despite the advantages, many companies have not fully embraced cloud computing, due in large part to a skills gap among their employees, including their IT staff. “When it comes to all cloud-related skill sets, organizations still confront a gap,” says Goldbach. “Legacy skill sets transfer well to many cloud technologies, but the ability to achieve system-level efficiency and address workload issues present a challenge.”

Cloud Talent Also in Increasing Demand

Goldbach notes a recent survey found that 86% of IT leaders think a shortage of cloud talent will slow down cloud projects in 2020. “In addition to the challenge of the technical skills gap, organizations must also drive a strategic change management process that will ensure employees can more quickly adopt these new cloud technologies and keep them secure,” he writes.

Change can be scary for companies and employees alike, but those faced with change often focus too much on the potential downside and fail to see the potential upside. The boom in demand for cloud computing in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic is a great example.

The major shifts in how businesses and their employees operate creates many opportunities to leverage technologies like cloud computing. But in order to truly take advantage of those opportunities, companies need to be prepared to train their staff for the new IT environment.

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