RFID Demanding Professionals

The results are in. RFID World 2005 and RFID Journal Live! confirmed that RFID is a hotbed of activity and a driving force for the industry. And if there was any doubt in my mind prior to these events about the future of RFID, it has been put to rest. The anticipated growth of this emerging technology is mind boggling. According to a recent market forecast by IDTechEX, the value of the total RFID tag market including systems and services will explode from $1.95 billion in 2005 to $26.9 billion in 2015!

The potential and emerging applications of RFID are now generating demand for experienced RFID professionals. Many of my clients are seeking employees with RFID experience to harness productivity benefits and competitive advantages made possible by RFID. While there is RFID talent available, the current experienced talent pool is low. Training and educating employees in this technology will be one of the biggest challenges facing RFID. However, from my point of view, the industry and the workforce are already making great strides. A recent article in RFID JOURNAL states that more training programs and certification processes are becoming available to keep up with current and future demands. In addition, consider this…many professionals in IT, supply chain, AIDC, and related expertise are re-focusing their energies to participate in RFID. These types of candidates are what I like to call “all-around athletes.”

In recruiting terms, the all-around athlete is a candidate who is already preparing for a new game. In this case, the new game is RFID. These candidates recognize that structures are fluid and jobs change constantly. They’re up for the challenge. They possess a strong desire to learn, remain flexible, and bring a wide range of experiences and expertise to the new team. The all-around athlete is a sure bet.

Recent indicators, industry events such as RFID World 2005 and RFID Journal Live! along with various news sources suggest that now is the time for you and your organization to assess the RFID talent you will need in the near future. Please contact me for more information for any human capital resources I can provide: