IBM is sort of copying Cisco Systems in its Partner-Led approach.
Big Blue just announced that its training division is going to a partner-led model with the selection of four IBM Global Training Providers that will include distributor Avnet and Arrow along with training centres Global Knowledge and LearnQuest.
With the partner-led model, IBM believes its training will be accessible in nearly three times more countries and increase by about three times the number of students. Cisco’s Partner-Led strategy is for small and mid-sized business accounts for channel sales. In this case, IBM is using the same kind of strategy for training.
Focused on IBM’s systems and software portfolio, IBM channel partners will be able to develop IT skills required for advanced solutions such as mobile, cloud, analytics and social business.
According to the 2012 IBM Tech Trends report, only 1 in 10 organizations have the skills they need to benefit from advanced technology such as mobile, business analytics, cloud computing and social business. Innovation, growth, and the ability to serve clients is at risk.
- More than 60 per cent of IT/LOB decision makers surveyed report moderate to major skills gaps across all four technology areas;
- More than 73 per cent of educators and students surveyed report seeing moderate to major skills gaps across all four technology areas; and
- Nearly half of the educators and students surveyed indicated major gaps in their institutions ability to meet IT skills needs in mobile, social, cloud and analytics.
In the next 12 months, Arrow ECS Education will implement its IBM Global Training program for Software Group and Systems and Technology Group to up to 130 countries. It is anticipated that the program will be available in 10 countries to start, and that it will be offered in more than 50 additional countries by the end of 2013, and to all other countries by summer 2014.
Avnet Technology Solutions will roll out this initiative in two phases, starting with the Canada, U.K., Ireland, U.S., France, Germany, Sweden, Denmark, Norway and Finland. Phase two will include: Eastern Europe, Asia Pacific and Latin America.
Global Knowledge plans to deliver IBM’s portfolio of software and systems training to drive skills development and certifications for IBM products, including AIX, Cognos, DB2, Power Systems, Rational, Tivoli, and WebSphere.
Finally LearnQuest will try to expand IBM education for IBM Software Group (SWG) and IBM Systems and Technology Group (STG) by accelerating skills growth, increasing adoption of IBM solutions in the global marketplace, and providing the training and expertise necessary to consistently maximize the return on clients’ IT investment.
