Differences between technical and technology skills as they relate to telecommunications
Technical skills related to mathematical or science background applied in the industry to solve technical based problems. In this case a person need clear facts on the matter being solved as application skills rarely produce much success. They are actually engineering oriented skills. Formal education or apprenticeship is some of the common ways in which technical skills can be acquired. Assessing technical skills level is based on paper certification or practical certification. Technical skills are skills needed for effective design and practical implementation of the telecommunication hardware and applications. Networking requires technical skills, while management of the same network to ensure that it is available within the required time need managerial skills.
Technology skills on the other hand combine a number if skills that cut across different fields. It consists of technical skills, people management skills, and project management skills. A manager needs to be well versed with these skills in order to run a telecommunication management project effectively. People management skills like communication and listening skills are essential in organization of staff charged with different responsibilities in the project. It involves proper organization of human resources and provision of good environment for carrying out of telecommunication project activities. Project management skills are applied in order to ensure that the project is completed within the time limit using acceptable budget. Lack of this skill especially for a manger will prove disastrous to the project.
A telecommunication manager need not have technical skills. How ever having an understanding of the same is advantageous in making informed managerial decisions in any set up. Managers will delicate responsibilities to technical staff and coordinate these tasks, therefore the most important skills that a manager should have are technology related skills.
Bibliography
Autor, D. H., Levy, F., & Murnane, R. J. (2009). The skill content of recent technological change: An empirical exploration. Retrieved July 28, 2011, from Massachussetts Institute of Technology: http://econ-www.mit.edu/files/569
Gillard, S. (2009). Soft skills and technical expertise of effective project managers. Retrieved July 28, 2011, from University of Indiana: http://iisit.org/Vol6/IISITv6p723-729Gillard599.pdf
