This document summarizes the findings of a survey of 600 US IT and business executives about skills gaps in the IT workforce. Some key findings include: - 86% of respondents have heard of the concept of an IT skills gap in the past 2 years - The top perceived causes of skills gaps are workers lacking advanced skills, some segments falling behind, and generational differences - Emerging technologies, integration skills, cloud skills, and cybersecurity are seen as the biggest gaps - Nearly 60% of respondents see skills gaps growing at their organizations - The top proposed strategies to address gaps include more on-the-job training, incentives for continuous learning, and apprenticeship programs

1. Assessing the IT Skills Gap
May 2017
Copyright (c) 2017 CompTIA Properties, LLC. All Rights Reserved. | CompTIA.org
REMINDER: The complete Assessing the IT Skills Gap report can be
viewed free of charge at CompTIA.org (with simple registration)

2. The Skills Gap Concept
Source: CompTIA Assessing the IT Skills Gap | n=600 U.S. IT & business executives
54%
32%
14%
Awareness Level
Yes, definitely
Maybe, think so
No, don't recall
The great majority (86% net) recall hearing or seeing something about the concept of a skills gap as it relates to the workforce
in the past 2 years
Nearly three-quarters of
respondents working at companies
in the IT industry report definitely
already hearing or seeing
something about the skills gap
concept.
It’s also a more prevalent concept
among those who view tech as a
primary factor in reaching business
objectives.

3. 17%
22%
8%
19%
18%
8%
13%
11%
5%
57%
45%
59%
47%
47%
56%
49%
43%
44%
26%
33%
33%
34%
35%
37%
38%
46%
52%
Skills gaps are nothing new - just a normal part how
the workforce and economy evolve
Too many workers lack basic skills (i.e. reading,
writing, arithmetic)
Skills gaps can sometimes be attributed to
generational differences in the workplace
Technology is moving so fast, workers can't keep up
with skills
Employers contribute to skills gaps by having
unrealistic expectations for workers' skills given…
Segments of workers are falling behind
Colleges are not sufficiently preparing students for
today's jobs
K-12 schools are not sufficiently preparing students
for today's jobs
Too many workers lack advanced skills (i.e. problem
solving, analysis, logical thinking)
Disagree Somewhat Agree Strongly Agree
General Impressions of ”Skills Gap” Concept
Source: CompTIA Assessing the IT Skills Gap | n=600 U.S. IT & business executives[NA/don’t know results not shown]
NET
Agree
96%
89%
87%
92%
78%
83%
Level of agreement
93%
82%
81%

4. 1. Too many workers lack advanced skills (i.e. problem solving, analysis, logical thinking) [96%]
Segments of workers are falling behind [93%]
Skills gaps can sometimes be attributed to generational differences in the workplace [92%]
K-12 schools are not sufficiently preparing students for today’s jobs [89%]
Colleges are not sufficiently preparing students for today’s jobs [87%]
Based on NET agreement (somewhat agree + strongly agree)
Top Skills Gap Impressions
Source: CompTIA Assessing the IT Skills Gap | n=600 U.S. IT & business executives
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
“…I think there can be, and sometimes is, a generational gap with regards to new technology and methods,
but I don’t think this is the largest reason for any gaps. For instance, there’s a guy here in his early 60s
who’s more knowledgeable about emerging technology than some of the guys here in their 20s or early
30s. I think it largely depends on the person and their desire to learn.” -- Senior IT executive in financial/
banking/insurance industry

5. 13%
33%
27%
20%
6%
Growing
significantly
Growing
moderately
No change Shrinking
moderately
Shrinking
significantly
Overall Skills Gap Situation
57%
Nearly 6 in 10 large-size
firms report a growing
gap
Source: CompTIA Assessing the IT Skills Gap | n=600 U.S. IT & business executives[1% don’t know results not shown]
Self-reported change in the scope / depth of skill gaps at organizations over past 2 years
Nearly half believe the skills
gap is growing (46% net)
44%
Just over 4 in 10
medium-size firms
believe the gap is
growing
47%
Nearly half of small-
size firms indicate a
growing gap
23%
Less than a quarter
of micro-size firms
think the gap is
growing

6. Ways Skills Gaps Negatively Impact Businesses
Primary Consequences of
Skills Gaps on Organizations OVERALL
INDUSTRY FIRM STAFF SIZE
TECH ROLE TO
BUSINESS
IT Non-IT
Micro
1-9
Small
10-99
Medium
100-499
Large
500+ Primary
2ndary /
Non
Lower staff productivity 52% 50% 53% 46% 49% 56% 53% 53% 51%
Lower levels of customer service /
customer engagement
38% 45% 36% 23% 40% 34% 46% 38% 37%
Lower sales or profitability 37% 42% 36% 49% 42% 30% 36% 38% 36%
Insufficient levels of innovation / new
product development
33% 39% 32% 18% 31% 37% 37% 35% 29%
Insufficient speed to market with new
products or services
32% 41% 30% 25% 25% 36% 38% 38% 16%
Insufficient cybersecurity safeguards /
defending against malware, hacking, etc.
32% 34% 31% 11% 27% 38% 37% 36% 21%
Inability to keep up with competitors 30% 36% 28% 21% 28% 31% 32% 32% 23%
None of the above 6% 5% 6% 16% 3% 6% 5% 5% 10%
Source: CompTIA Assessing the IT Skills Gap | n=600 U.S. IT & business executives
[%s in bold indicate at least one statistically significant
difference, lower or higher, across sub-groups]

7. 10%
10%
9%
12%
11%
14%
23%
24%
30%
33%
32%
33%
40%
40%
43%
37%
40%
39%
23%
23%
15%
16%
11%
9%
Accounting / Finance
Customer service
Operations
IT
Sales / Bus. development
Marketing
<60% Proficient 60%-70% Proficient 80%-90% Proficient 100% Proficient / No skills gap
Skill Gaps Perceptions Across Various Functions
Source: CompTIA Assessing the IT Skills Gap | n=600 U.S. IT & business executives[NA/don’t know results not shown]
Approximate skill gaps assessment of various functions within organization
NET
Gaps*
86%
83%
82%
82%
74%
73%
*About 90% or less proficient

8. 38%
20% 23%
13%
52%
60% 52%
54%
8%
19%
26%
33%
Micro Small Medium Large
Overall Level of Concern with IT Skills Gap at Firm
60%NET
Concerned
25%
55%
21%
Very concerned
Somewhat concerned
Not that concerned
Source: CompTIA Assessing the IT Skills Gap | n=600 U.S. IT & business executives
79% 78% 87%
Overall, 8 in 10 are at least somewhat concerned with the IT skills gap at their firm
Overall Concern Concern by Company Size
More likely to be very concerned with the IT skills gap
at their organization:
- IT industry
- View tech as a primary role to business
- 100 or more employees
- 15 or more IT employees
- Report skills gaps growing significantly
- Definitely would consider IT apprenticeship program
- Age range of 30 – 34 years

9. 6%
4%
6%
6%
4%
12%
7%
5%
11%
50%
52%
41%
37%
37%
34%
36%
40%
30%
32%
31%
41%
43%
42%
37%
40%
36%
40%
12%
13%
13%
15%
17%
18%
18%
19%
19%
Network / systems administration
Tech / IT support
Data mgmt / data analytics ("big data")
Digital business transformation /
modernizing legacy HW or SW
Integrating different apps, data sources,
platforms, devices
Software or app development
Cloud infrastructure / cloud apps
Cybersecurity
Emerging tech, i.e. IoT, AI, automation
NA/DK Little to No Gaps Moderate Gaps Signficiant Gaps
Most Pressing Areas for Existing or Looming IT Skills Gaps
Source: CompTIA Assessing the IT Skills Gap | n=600 U.S. IT & business executives
NET
Gaps*
59%
57%
55%
57%
53%
44%
55%
59%
44%

10. 1. Emerging tech, i.e. IoT, AI, automation [59%]
Integrating different apps, data sources, platforms, devices [59%]
Cloud infrastructure / cloud apps [57%]
Digital business transformation / modernizing legacy HW or SW [57%]
Cybersecurity [55%]
Software or app development [55%]
Data management / data analytics [53%]
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
Top IT Skills Gap Areas
Source: CompTIA Assessing the IT Skills Gap | n=600 U.S. IT & business executives
Based on NET gaps (moderate gaps + significant gaps)
“Being able to integrate
new software quickly
enough, and having
efficient people to do so.”
-- Senior IT executive in
professional services
industry

11. 1%
27%
29%
30%
40%
42%
42%
50%
57%
None of the above / other
Predictive analytics
Penetration testing / ethical hacking
Legal compliance / security policy development
and enforcement
Risk management / mitigation
Cloud security
Network monitoring / access management
Firewalls and antivirus
Data loss prevention / data security best practices
Cybersecurity Skills Gap Concerns / Priorities
A top concern for 42% of
firms reporting overall skills
gaps growing significantly
over the past 2 years
Source: CompTIA Assessing the IT Skills Gap | n=328 U.S. IT & business executives
reporting cybersecurity skill gaps

Areas of more
concern to IT
managers vs.
business managers

More of a concern for
business managers vs. IT
managers

12. Top Cybersecurity Skills Gap Concerns by Job Role
Source: CompTIA Assessing the IT Skills Gap | n=328 U.S. IT & business executives
reporting cybersecurity skill gaps
1. Data loss prevention (DLP) / data security best practices (60%)
2. Firewalls & antivirus (49%)
3. Network monitoring / access management (47%)
4. Cloud security (47%)
5. Risk management / mitigation (38%)
1. Firewalls & antivirus (59%)
2. Data loss prevention (DLP) / data security best practices (53%)
3. Risk management / mitigation (43%)
4. Legal compliance / security policy development & enforcement (36%)
5. Network monitoring / access management (35%)
IT Managers
Business Managers
Top concerns among Executives rank
similarly to IT managers:
1. DLP / data security BPs (55%)
2. Firewalls & antivirus (44%)
3. Ntwk monitoring / access mgmt (41%)
4. Risk mgmt / mitigation (41%)
5. Cloud security (40%)
“Cyber security is a big issue. The company has
tried to address it many ways, but there hasn’t
been a stable security protocol in place yet. It is
in the works.” -- IT consultant in IT industry
“Areas of security are a concern. It takes a
refreshed mind to keep up and protect against
new avenues of breaches.” -- IT manager in
education industry

13. Digital Business Transformation Skills Gap Concerns
Digital Business Transformation Skills Gap
Concerns / Priorities OVERALL
INDUSTRY JOB ROLE
IT Non-IT Executive
Business
Manager
IT
Manager
Effectively aligning technology with business
objectives
47% 41% 48% 37% 49% 50%
Emerging software platforms 46% 46% 46% 44% 49% 45%
Storage / data back-up / disaster recovery 42% 38% 44% 48% 42% 40%
Web design / development / management 40% 46% 38% 53% 36% 36%
Project management 39% 51% 36% 37% 41% 40%
Cloud architecture 35% 38% 34% 33% 36% 35%
Business process design / automation 35% 40% 33% 32% 33% 37%
Software testing / quality assurance 33% 48% 29% 35% 34% 32%
None of the above / other 1% 0% 1% 0% 1% 1%
[%s in bold indicate at least one statistically significant
difference across sub-groups]
Source: CompTIA Assessing the IT Skills Gap | n=344 U.S. IT & business executives
reporting digital transformation skill gaps
Large-size firms are more likely to be concerned with emerging software platforms than their smaller
counterparts. And medium- and large-size companies are more likely to indicate sw testing/QA vs. small firms.

14. State of Assessing Skills Gaps
44% 27%
In the Middle*
- Skills gaps are not growing significantly
(i.e. shrinking, unchanged, or moderate
growth)
- Probably would consider IT
apprenticeship program
- Age 45 years or older
Have a Good Handle
- IT industry
- Executives
- 15 or more IT employees
- Skills gaps growing significantly
- More likely to definitely consider IT
apprenticeship program
- Age range of 30 – 34 years
Often Struggle
- Non-IT industry
- IT managers
- Business managers
- 1– 4 IT employees
- Skills gaps growing moderately
- Probably would consider IT
apprenticeship program
- Younger than 45 years of age
[don’t know results not shown]
27%
Source: CompTIA Assessing the IT Skills Gap | n=600 U.S. IT & business executives
Self-reported evaluation of organization’s approach to identifying and assessing skills gaps, along with characteristics of
those more likely to be in each category
*Have a pretty good handle
on some roles & skills, but
struggle with others

15. General Assessment of Addressing IT Skill Gaps
Source: CompTIA Assessing the IT Skills Gap | n=600 U.S. IT & business executives
Preference for Where Organizations
Want to Focus Skills Gap
Improvement Efforts
59%
35%
Existing IT workers
Next generation of IT workers
[don’t know responses not shown]
33%
54%
13%
Formal strategies
Informal strategies
Nothing in place
Existing Strategies / Resources in
Place for Addressing
Skill Gaps
Nearly 6 in 10 think the priority should be placed on existing IT workers, while a third report having formal strategies /
resources in place to address skills gaps

16. Top Cited Strategies for How IT Skills Gap Challenges
Should Be Addressed
1. More resources for OJT or continuing education (57%)
2. New or better incentives to encourage workers to constantly focus on building their skills (54%)
3. More training for managers to better identify & support workers with skills gaps (51%)
4. Certifications / credentials specific to a technology skills set (46%)
5. More formal & regular skills assessments (41%) | Better worker retention programs (41%)
1. Better ways to provide on-the-job experience, such as internships (57%)
2. Better ways to provide intense job training, such as apprenticeships (53%)
3. Early student exposure to careers in IT, e.g. at the middle school level (49%)
4. Certifications / credentials to validate skills & knowledge in specific tech areas (48%)
5. Better assessments / methods for evaluating the skills of job candidates (48%)
Current / Existing IT Employees
New IT Hires / Future IT Workers
Source: CompTIA Assessing the IT Skills Gap | n=600 U.S. IT & business executives

17. 4%
21%
23%
36%
43%
47%
49%
52%
57%
None of the above
Additional college coursework
Better ways to work with outsourced / outside
expertise (e.g. MSPs)
Industry news, tech journals, keep up with
trends
Mentoring / guidance from peers
Instructor-led course / Classroom instruction
Webinars
Conferences / workshops
E-learning / Online self-directed training
Types of IT Training Encouraged for IT Staff
95%Nearly all recommend at least
one type of
training/professional
development for IT staff to
improve their skills.
Source: CompTIA Assessing the IT Skills Gap | n=600 U.S. IT & business executives[1% don’t know results not shown]

18. 37%
30%
33%
Awareness Level
Yes, definitely
Maybe, think so
No, don't recall
Concept Apprenticeship Programs for IT
Source: CompTIA Assessing the IT Skills Gap | n=600 U.S. IT & business executives
Two-thirds (67% net) recall hearing or seeing something about proposals to expand the use of apprenticeships into a broader
range of occupations such as IT positions. Regardless if they’ve heard about it, the great majority think the concept of IT
apprenticeships, as described, has merit (88% net), including nearly half who believe it definitely has merit.
0%
2%
10%
39%
49%
Definitely does not
have merit
Probably does not
have merit
May or may not have
merit
Probably has merit
Definitely has merit
Merit Level
IT Apprenticeship Concept:
- In lieu of 4-year college
degree
- Paid
- Set number of on-the-
job hours and
study/coursework hours
- Conclude with industry-
recognized credential/
certification

19. Likelihood to Consider IT Apprenticeship Program
Source: CompTIA Assessing the IT Skills Gap | n=600 U.S. IT & business executives
Characteristics of Those More
Likely to Definitely Consider IT
Apprenticeships:
• Report that skills gaps have grown
significantly over the past 2 years
• In the IT industry
• Technology is a primary factor in
reaching business objectives
• Are large-size
• Have 5 or more IT employees
• Are younger than 45 years of age
9 in 10 (net) could see their company possibly trying out an apprenticeship program for a tech role
51%
Yes, definitely would
consider
Maybe, probably
would consider
39%
10%
No,
probably
wouldn’t

20. Thank You
Copyright (c) 2017 CompTIA Properties, LLC. All Rights Reserved. | CompTIA.org
REMINDER: The complete Assessing the IT Skills Gap report can be
viewed free of charge at CompTIA.org (with simple registration)