Monday, 12 May 2008

New IBM Program Aims to Increase Skilled Software Developers in Asia

IBM has initiated a new online program to help Asian university students enhance their skills to complete in a global market.

The new program, which will be available at a discounted rate, will allow students at some 2,100 institutions in India, China, Singapore and Vietnam to enhance their credentials and better compete for the growing number of technology positions available in the region.

IBM said it has noticed a surge in demand for its software certification and giving students access to online exams will help increase the number of qualified, skilled software developers available to meet a growing opportunity for software innovation worldwide.

According to online employment resource Monster.com, 1.5 million skilled IT experts will be needed by 2012 – a trend that is fueling major opportunities for innovation and career growth for IT students especially in India, China and Southeast Asia.

For a discounted rate of 30 dollars, students at universities across these four countries now have access to 25 Web-based exams covering IBM's Rational software delivery portfolio.

22 different certifications are available in emerging technology job areas such as architecture management, change and release management, process and portfolio management, and quality management.

“In Asian countries such as Vietnam, the IT industry is anticipated to be a key driver of the local economy. By expanding this program to the region, we are developing a loyal community of highly skilled certified professionals who continue to innovate around open standards and collaborative technologies,” said Jim Corgel, general manager of IBM’s ISV and Developer Relations.

According to the Big Blue, in India and China alone, the number of certifications has increased an average of 5% and interest for certifications in Vietnam and Singapore is only expected to rise at a similar pace as these emerging markets continue to attract global IBM customers.

IBM plans to offer this discounted certification testing to students worldwide starting in the second half of 2008.