IT professionals to sit RFID exams

A new qualification from Comptia will cover practical use of radio tagging technology

IT trade body Comptia is poised to launch a qualification for radio frequency identification (RFID), in anticipation of a shortage of experts in the wireless tag technology.

Observers predict demand for RFID skills will soar as large retailers undertake wider rollouts. The RFID+ qualification, launched in beta form last year, will have its formal launch in March. Comptia said the scheme has already attracted enquiries from a major UK supermarket interested in putting 800 staff through the exam.

Comptia’s Matthew Poyiadgi said the qualification was developed in collaboration with leading RFID technology suppliers and users. Topics covered include standards, network design and testing.

Geoff Barraclough of BT’s RFID arm, BT Auto-ID Services, said the certification would encourage more IT staff to develop RFID expertise. “There is a shortage of engineers with skills covering both radio and IT,” he said. “We’re not seeing huge demand yet, but that could change rapidly when retailers start deploying the technology right across supply chains.”

Tesco recently confirmed that it is on target to have the technology deployed across 1,400 stores by mid-2006; and Volvo is also considering an expansion of its RFID deployment. Such moves suggest demand for associated skills is set to grow.

However, Nigel Montgomery of analyst AMR Research warned that qualifications would not guarantee firms success with RFID, as there would still be a shortage of staff with practical experience.