CompTIA's refreshed exam aims to close skills gap in data centres

CompTIA has refreshed its CompTIA Server+ certification exam with a greater emphasis on security, storage and virtualisation.

The update comes as CompTIA’s international workforce Study 2015 found that server and data centre management skills were one of the top five areas where businesses are looking to minimise skills gaps among IT staff members.

For example, four in ten businesses surveyed cited the need to close gaps in server and data skills, which the company says its new certification will help to combat.

The IT industry’s trade association certification exam is internationally recognised that validates foundation level skills and knowledge in server technologies.

The latest version of the exam (SK0-004) covers a broad range of skills that are related to how server and data storage administration works in the IT environment.

For example, cloud storage, security, scalability, hardware, software, storage, best practices and disaster recovery to name a few are all areas covered in the new exam.

Jason Eckert, dean of technology at triOS College Business Technology Healthcare, said via CompTIA's certification website: “We feel very strongly about certification as a means to help students feel confident in their skills.”

Another separate survey of IT professionals found that approximately three in 10 plan to pursue training and certification in server skills.

It’s no question that the skills gap is effecting many businesses in the IT industry, and CompTIA have been trying to combat this

For example, Estelle Johannes, UK channel community director for CompTIA, previously told PCR that more needs to be done in education to give kids and parents the knowledge they need about career paths.

In addition, CompTIA is also bringing its US ‘Dream IT’ initiative to the UK, to help encourage more women into a career within the IT industry.

Now that the trade body has revamped its exam to help close the skills gap, maybe we will start to see more young people coming into the IT industry with the necessary skills.