Probably one of our main areas of specilisation is supplying IT Support, or Managed Service companies with good quality IT Support Engineers, be it 1st, 2nd or 3rd line support or Field Engineers.   We are always getting asked by our candidates about what courses they should take, or which technologies they should consider specialising in.

There are hundreds of courses covering hundreds of technologies, but where exactly is IT Support going and where should engineers be looking to develop themselves?

In the past few years the IT landscape has undergone considerable changes. Cloud computing, consumerism and a workforce that has become more mobile has made it essential for IT support companies to abandon traditional methods and invent an approach which services the needs of its clients in 2014 and beyond.

IT support  of the future is part physical support, part virtual help desk and one which is going to become increasingly flexible if it is to keep pace with changes in the rapidly evolving industry. The IT desk of the future will be fluidly responsive to the needs of individual businesses and users and will avoid a one-size-fits all approach if it is to maintain its clientele and reputation within the IT industry.

So back to the IT Support Engineer looking to increase their skill set and stand out to IT Support companies.   Well of course Virtualisation is key with VMware or Hyper V becoming more and more requested key skills in job specs across 1st to 2nd and 3rd line support spectrum.   Citrix is another area and certification in these disciplines ensure you move to the top of the pile.

What about Cloud Technologies?  Well a clear understanding of cloud computing and Software As a Service (SAAS) are continually being requested as this technology is integrated into our lives in everything from phones, personal and business software and even our photos and movies.   We are starting to see positions featuring MS Azure, Office 365, Intune and Dynamics – Microsoft’s Cloud base suite.  Also Intel Cloud technologies, google cloud and a million other businesses that have followed virtual path.

So the message is get virtual, get into the  Cloud and get some experience or training and you are on the path to a desirable skill set for the next chapter in IT Support.