The Internet of Things (IoT) is becoming a major accelerator for innovation of all industries and government. The idea of an increasingly digital world where mobility of applications and people are commonplace, where all types of things are connected and provide more intelligence and value is becoming the new reality.

Every industry vertical is leveraging this global phenomenon and the latest advances in Internet technology to increase innovation in an increasingly competitive world. We now see areas such as discrete and process manufacturing, retail, and other areas using IP network-based automation to improve safety on the factory floor, increase accuracy and speed of production and provide better intelligence through data analytics. Cities, communities and utilities are being connected to improve energy use, reduce congestion and create a better living environment for residents. Health care providers are virtualizing health care services to reach remote patients and provide the best possible care. Cisco expects more than 50 billion devices will be connected by 2020 in this paradigm, which will translate to a$14 trillion dollar opportunity for the global economy.

Industries are undergoing major transitions to keep up with the evolving opportunities presented by connecting machines to machines and automating processes in the IoT.  A substantial part of this transformation is opening up closed networks to the world of the Internet while maintaining the security of corporate and public assets. In order for this transition to be successful, educating the current and future workforce to ensure this transformation can happen smoothly is key.

As industries automate and connect all of these new capabilities, there is a growing need for talent that can imagine new solutions using the IoT and design and run these new more open networks in these industries. BLS data indicates that there will be a global talent shortage of around two million people in IT to support this transition, making it critical for leaders in the industry like Cisco to create a set of partnerships, programs and solutions that will help get education into the hands of this workforce.

Cisco this week announced its support of current and future generations of IoT entrepreneurs, scientists and innovators from around the world through strategic partnerships and programs designed to educate and empower learners. Learning@Cisco will be delivering IoT educational courses and certifications that map to new and evolving career opportunities across multiple industries. Through this program, Cisco, along with strategic industry partners, will join forces to reskill today's workforce and address the growing skills gap of the future.

Cisco is establishing public and private partnerships with the leading forces in the industry to enable this change, which will enrich the workforce and the industries they represent, grow the job market and ensure the talent is there to assist and drive this major transformation.

Stay tuned for future updates to our certification and education program at: www.ciscolearningnetwork.com