Overall IT spending has bottomed out, and 2004 and 2005 will see a minimum of strong single-digit growth over 2003 levels, according to Gartner, Inc. Although the aggregate number will rise, Gartner states that growth rates will vary widely by technology sector. Gartner analysts predict that the recovery will be coupled with a tremendous skills shift within the IT workforce, impacting hundreds of thousands, if not millions, of workers. Areas in which skills will be most highly valued include broadband, wireless, Linux, content management, real-time analytics, data mining, security, middleware, certification skills, business intelligence and knowledge management. www.gartner.com