The shortage of technology workers skilled in radio frequency identification (RFID) is lessening, but the lack of talent continues to impact deployment of the technology, reports a new survey by the Computing Technology Industry Association (Oakbrook Terrace, Ill.). More than two-thirds of the organizations surveyed by CompTIA (69%) believe there is an insufficient pool of RFID talent to hire from. That figure is down slightly from the previous two years (75% in 2006 and 80% in 2005).
Among companies that believe there is a shortage of RFID talent, 68% said that the lack of workers skilled in RFID will impact the adoption of the technology. That's down from 2006, when 80% of responding organizations said the skill shortage was impacting RFID adoption. In 2005, the figure was 53%.
"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, v.p., e-business and software solutions, CompTIA. "Had RFID adoption taken hold at a higher level, the skills shortage would be even more pronounced."
Sommer noted that while RFID adoption may not have occurred at the rate many sources predicted, 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 RFID+T is a professional, vendor-neutral certification designed to validate a technician's competencies and skills in RFID solutions. Respondents to the CompTIA survey (64 total) included technology resellers, value-added resellers, solution providers, systems integrators, and others directly involved in the delivery of IT products and services.
