Gartner: Half of U.S. IT operations jobs to vanish. In an eyebrow-raising forecast, Gartner researchers said they believe that as many as 50 percent of the IT operational jobs in the U.S. could disappear over the next two decades because of improvements in data center technologies. [InfoWorld: Top News]
The lead in says "eyebrow-raising forcast" but that's just an indication that we haven't moved past the idea that anything computer related is "high tech" and exotic. Actually, many people are now highly trained in operating and programming computers--many of those in so-called third world countries. The bar has been raised.
My generation played around with computers, often learning the most fundamental level of programming and hardware, because we were looking for ways to become more productive at work. I still view PCs as a tool for work (even though I sometimes multitask work with music on the same box). Today's generation accepts as a basic fact of life that computers make work life easier and is more interested in exploring the joys of entertainment and communicating (chatting) that the platform affords.
So, IT jobs are disappearing as a result of automation, just as unskilled manufacturing jobs before them, and farming jobs before them.
Speaking of jobs, I just saw a news release from Rockwell Automation that Don Davis is retiring as Chairman in February and Keith Nosbusch will assume that role in addition to the CEO role. Keith is a good guy, but still very much a detail oriented operations guy. I wish that the dominant North American player in automation had a leader with a little more visibility and vision. He may do well keeping the company on track, but I'll be amazed if there are any startling changes intitiated from the inside. Expect more of a reactionary stance to market forces thrusting change on it.
I wonder what this will do to Jim Pinto's long held belief that Don Davis' sole intent was to sell the company. I couldn't see where that would be in Davis' interests. Outgoing chiefs are usually interested in their legacy, and that doesn't usually include destroying the company (which a sale would do). Of course, there are still three months to go...
2:57:53 PM 
|
