Staff with Linux Systems Management skills are in short supply, but you can always grow your own.
The 2014 Linux Jobs report indicated that the need for Linux professionals is increasing across Europe, especially for developers and system administrators. The demand is so high that 93% of hiring managers said they faced challenges in finding professionals with the Linux Systems Management skills they need. Among those who couldn’t fill open roles, 25% reported that they have postponed projects because of this.
The “skills gap” reflects the rapid growth of Linux right across the business world. LinuxIT CIO Mike Curtis sees two groups of Linux professionals: the very highly skilled system administrators from corporate computing backgrounds; and then the less skilled employees of smaller organisations or public services who have trained on other operating systems. The second group have learned Linux in their own time and perhaps implemented some systems to handle specific functions for their employer. There is a huge skills gap between the two groups, and it’s not just technical.
To move to the highest levels requires aptitude, attitude and ability in equal measure. It’s no good having the technical ability without the enterprise experience and professional attitude.
Fortunately there is an answer to this: training. Existing staff or new recruits working alongside top level professionals on a system built to best practice standards can learn Linux Systems Management skills that will be beneficial to their employer and good for their long term career. But first you need a well configured system run by professionals.
As Mike Curtis says, there’s no career advantage in learning how to administer a unique system. Employees are better served learning skills that are increasingly in demand, and the enterprise will find future recruitment easier if they operate to a set of widely used standards.
Outsourcing is not an all-or-nothing decision, there is a continuum of options depending on where you are now, where you want to get to and the skills of the staff you have. Professional services can be geared to suit your organisation as it is now, and as it changes. They almost always include an element of training, with the end result being internal staff able to manage their own system if they wish to.
There are, however, always some organisations in some circumstances who find it more economically viable to outsource everything to a Linux systems management specialist. These are usually smaller organisations that can’t employ – or don’t want to employ – a full-time systems admin person, but do need their IT system to be reliable and secure. With a full service level agreement in place, they can concentrate on running the business or developing an app, etc.
In very large organisations there will be a skilled IT team in place, but outsourcing of routine operations can free up specialist staff to concentrate on business-specific operations. Economies of scale come into play here – a Linux systems management specialist can use automated tools to continuously monitor systems, and have expert staff on hand day and night throughout the year to deal with any problems that arise.
In between the two extremes, mid-range organisations or public bodies may want a hybrid support model where they can benefit from training, mentoring and on-going support.
Not got an in house sys-admin? Find out how well your platform is managed by downloading your free eGuide: Is your Linux in a vicious or vitruous cycle?
