Strong demand for Linux professionals outpaced overall job growth during the past year, according to IT job clearinghouse Dice.com. As of August 1, job listings for Linux-experienced tech pro's have jumped 36 percent so far this year, and 55 percent from 12 months ago, the service reports.

In contrast, Dice says, total job postings are up just 13 percent since January, and 18 percent from one year ago.

In an effort to capitalize on this opportunity, the Linux Professional Institute (LPI) announced at LinuxWorld this week that it is adding a new employment and contract matching service for open-source workers who are registered on LPI's internal exam candidate database.

The new program will match qualified open-source workers with employers and contract opportunities. Although the program will focus on LPI-certified Linux professionals it also welcomes other system and network administrators to register, obtain an LPI ID number, and provide their skills profile for this matching service. The program will be piloted in North America, Latin America, China, India, and Germany.

Open-source professionals and existing LPI candidates can participate in the voluntary program by “opting-in” through a series of questions provided on the LPI exam registration system, the LPI said. Enterprise customers, HR recruiters, and others providing contract opportunities are asked to contact Glenn McKnight, the LPI's director of operations, for employment or contract listing pricing details, and for additional information about the program.

 
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