Two More Vendors Added to SNIA Storage Networking Certification Program

The Storage Networking Industry Association (SNIA) announced that industry support and demand for SNIA storage certifications has continued to gain momentum. The SNIA has recently added vendor partners Brocade and LSI Corporation to the SNIA Storage Networking Certification Program (SNCP) and three of the association’s certifications have increased in value for students according to a recent report by Foote Partners, LLC.

"Education has always been part of SNIA’s core mission," said Wayne M. Adams, Chair of the SNIA. "Our high-quality educational tutorials and certification programs have global reach, with a strong presence throughout the USA and Europe and in the rapidly growing technology markets of China and India. We are proud that these programs are increasing in value and will continue to expand our education programs as part of the SNIA’s commitment to establish a worldwide base of educated, knowledgeable IT professionals."

According to the most recent update of the Foote Partners LLC., IT Skills and Certification Pay Index (ITSCPI) of pay premiums for IT skills and certifications, three of the SNIA’s individual certifications, including the SNIA Certified Systems Engineer, SNIA Certified Architect and SNIA Certified Storage Networking Expert made the list of technical certifications that have gained value in late 2008, increasing in value between 9 percent and 12 percent.

"As the challenging economic climate continues, certified professionals have become key assets, whether they are end users, channel employees or even vendor support staff," said Rick Bauer, Technology and Educational Director, SNIA. "This survey helps solidify that certifications and technical training are more important than ever and are being recognized as a wise investment for employers and employees alike."

"This is not the first time in 10 years tracking skills and certifications pay and demand that we’ve seen corrections brought on by economic conditions," said David Foote, the firm’s co-founder, CEO and chief research officer. "Clearly an urgent demand for certified and noncertified talent in some areas of IT is eclipsing broad, knee-jerk reactions to reduce budgets and cut people, projects and purchases without thinking carefully about the consequences."

As an additional testament to the sustained value of SNIA’s certification programs, Brocade Corporation and LSI Corporation have joined five other vendors as the latest participating companies in the SNIA SNCP. This program is the storage industry’s only vendor neutral storage networking certification program. SNIA’s expert level certifications provide further opportunity for certified individuals to achieve acknowledgment for their skills. Additionally, the credentials provide the foundational core education and vendor neutral tools that IT professionals can later apply to enroll in custom training from vendor partners on specific technology.

In 2009, the SNIA will continue to provide meaningful and timely certification and credentialing programs, including storage management and administration exams, as well as continuing education electives to support the growing demand for certifications and training.