Survey: Skilled RFID workers getting easier to find
There’s been a shortage of workers skilled in radio frequency identification (RFID) in recent years, but this problem seems to be diminishing. Nonetheless, the lack of talent remains a problem in technology deployment, according to a new survey by the Computing Technology Industry Association (CompTIA).
 
More than two-thirds (68.8 percent) of the organizations surveyed believe there is an insufficient pool of RFID talent. That figure is down slightly from the previous two years (75 percent in 2006 and 80 percent in 2005).
 
Among those that believe there is a shortage, 68 percent said that the lack of workers will impact the adoption of the technology. However, in 2006 the number was 80 percent, so some improvement can be seen. In 2005, the figure was 53 percent.
 
“The skills shortage is not the most significant factor in the relatively slow adoption of RFID, but it is a contributing factor,” said David Sommer, vice president, e-business and software solutions, CompTIA. “Had RFID adoption taken hold at a higher level, the skills shortage would be even more pronounced.”
 
Sommer said usage is growing at a modest, steady pace.
 
“The number of RFID pilot programs, tests and closed-loop deployments designed to address specific business problems continues to grow,” he said.
 
CompTIA offers RFID+, a vendor-neutral certification designed to validate a technician’s competencies and skills in RFID technology.
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