HP Launches Big Data Certification Program

Pedro Hernandez

Updated · Jan 09, 2013

Want to get schooled in Big Data?

IT systems and services provider Hewlett-Packard (HP) today announced a new certification program to help get IT professionals up to speed on the company’s Vertica Analytics Platform.

Offered via HP’s ExpertOne IT certification program, the training encompasses both “coursework and real-world, on-the-job experience with the HP Vertica Analytics Platform” before the exam, according to the company. In addition to a career boost, HP boasts that Vertica Analytics certification can lend IT organizations some Big Data-fueled momentum to their business growth and profitability goals.

HP says its certification program addresses a growing industry demand for an official Big Data stamp of approval.

“Our partners and customers are eager to complete a formal certification process that establishes their qualifications as Big Data experts. By offering the new HP Vertica Big Data Solutions certification, we are empowering organizations to combine the power of the industry-leading HP Vertica Analytics platform with the advanced analytics skills of their IT professionals,” said Byron Berk, Services and Training manager for HP Vertica, in a company statement.

Big Data Skills Shortage

Moreover, the program could help the industry narrow a looming Big Data skills gap.

HP cites a recent Gartner report that warns that by 2015, a third of the 4.4 million Big Data-related IT jobs created by then will go unfilled. Many organizations are having a tough time attracting talent right now.

In May, data integration software specialist Informatica revealed the results of its study on Big Data that found skilled developers eluded 35 percent of respondents. It’s a troubling statistic considering that 70 percent of the 600 IT professionals polled by the firm said their organizations were at least considering Big Data projects, if not well on their way toward implementation.

The International Institute for Analytics (IIA) recently tapped a continued shortage of data scientists as one of its analytics predictions for 2013.

While the move helps HP stake a claim in the growing market for Big Data analytics systems and solutions, it faces stiff competition from some big rivals. In recent months, IT giants including IBM, SAP and Oracle have poured billions into growing their respective Big Data platforms.

IBM has been particularly aggressive in pursuing Big Data analytics solutions. In 2011, the company pledged $100 million for Big Data analytics research. Last year, the company snapped up Big Data analytics specialist Vivisimo and announced support for Cloudera’s popular Hadoop distribution.

Pedro Hernandez is a contributing editor at InternetNews.com, the news service of the IT Business Edge Network. Follow him on Twitter @ecoINSITE.

Pedro Hernandez
Pedro Hernandez

Pedro Hernandez contributes to Enterprise Apps Today, and 11Press, the technology network. He was previously the managing editor of Internet.com, an IT-related website network. He has expertise in Smart Tech, CRM, and Mobile Tech, Helping Banks and Fintechs, Telcos and Automotive OEMs, and Healthcare and Identity Service Providers to Protect Mobile Apps.

More Posts By Pedro Hernandez