How Technical Certifications Influence the Job Market?

Technical skills gaps are a common concern for organizations. According to Cisco, 68% of technology managers say the market for certified technology workers is very competitive, and 65% believe there is a shortage of qualified workers. Many companies are closing these skills gaps through investment in certifications development programs. Technical and learning leaders are looking at technical certifications to upskill their current employees and as a qualification for prospective employees. We can understand this trend when we look at the ways technical certifications lead to measurable business outcomes. An IT certification is a recognized benchmark mapped to a specific skill set based on standardized testing. A certification demonstrates your dedication, motivation and technical knowledge on a specific platform. However, preparation for certification exams, training and fees costs time and money. Some certification issuers require a certain number of hours, or even years, of professional experience in a discipline, skill domain or job function before one can become certified. Is it worth it? Why go through all the trouble? What’s the value of an IT certification to you and to your employer? These are the types of questions every IT professional must answer before embarking on the journey to earn their next certification. In many cases, you will end up with answers that affirm your decision to pursue continuing education or professional development. Professional certifications are important for personal growth and add credibility to your expertise. A continuous thirst for knowledge is a key element in building a growing, thriving business. And although continuing education and certification programs can be an investment of time and resources, they help provide recognition for your specialized knowledge or skill set, which can be a significant benefit when it comes to landing certain clients or projects. Earning a certificate or designation validates the person’s high-level of expertise and often leads to added prestige … not to mention the fact that a professional certification may also yield a pay bump and generally puts holders ahead of the pack. Here are major benefits of becoming certified for both IT professionals and their respective organizations and how such certification the entire job market:

Boost productivity the rates

Technical certifications influence worker productivity. Cisco found that certified workers completed advanced tasks 37% more effectively than non-certified workers. Udemy Business customer Publicis Sapient saw similar results. As a digital transformation consulting company, Publicis Sapient requires its employees to be adept at navigating complex, evolving technologies. Thanks to a focus on developing employee skills related to IT certification, Publicis Sapient consultants are armed with the latest expertise across the most critical technical areas today, including Microsoft Azure, Amazon Web Services, Google Cloud Platform, and big data. And the results are tangible — 49% of Publicis Sapient employees say training directly helped them be more productive. Plus, with a 20% increase in certification across the company, consultants complete projects faster due to their improved expertise.

Studies by a variety of organizations — including Microsoft, IDC, CompTIA and Novell — have shown that employees with a professional certification are more productive. That is because certifications better prepare workers to deal with day-to-day challenges and get the most out of new technologies. Those certified in a software application, for example, are able to make greater use of the program’s advanced features. Certified employees often work more efficiently than uncertified colleagues, and their presence can help improve the productivity of team projects.

Partner Programs Require Certifications, Improving Services and Consultations

Some companies must employ a certain number of certified individuals to maintain a partner-related certification or status. Some major manufacturers and many others have this requirement. Earning a vendor's certification benefits you and your organization since it enables the company to meet the required number of certified associates on staff, while providing a level of service to clients that wouldn’t be possible otherwise.

Organizations That Invest In Certification See Returns

IT professionals may have a requirement by their respective certification-issuer to recertify every two to three years. For example, Cisco’s recertification requirements include earning continuing education credits, taking an exam, or attending training during each three year cycle. Red Hat requires you to recertify every three years. Several others maintain similar requirements. In this instance, a certification or recertification exam can benefit both you and your employer by demonstrating to customers a continued dedication to improvement and innovation.

Establish Professional Credibility

There are an increasing number of companies, non-profits, and government organizations that, when working with independent consultants, want (or may even be required) to engage those who have certain certifications from recognized programs. Certification demonstrates your commitment to superior professionalism, upholding industry standards, and continued learning. These merits can help boost your professional credibility and prestige within your own network, with your current clients, and when pursuing new business opportunities or bidding on projects.

Increase accuracy and quality of work

Simply working faster might not be cause for celebration if the speed comes at the expense of quality. When it comes to technical certifications, the evidence shows that employees with these credentials also improve their accuracy and quality of work. According to Cisco, certified workers have 29% fewer errors than non-certified workers. Plus, 66% ??of managers believe that certification improves the level of service and support offered to IT end-users and customers. Similarly, 44% of managers say certification leads to higher quality output and more effective solutions, according to the IT Certification Council.

Leads to happier employees, who stick around longer

Assisting your team in obtaining industry designations shows them you share in their desire to be the best they can be. People are happier working for organizations that are invested in their professional development and committed to helping them take the next steps in their career. Employees also will feel noticed and valued by the company, and by you, as their manager. This sense of value can go a long way in prompting them to want to stay, which reduces one of your biggest headaches and expenses, staff turnover.

Gives your clients greater confidence in your business

Encouraging your employees to earn a professional certification will tell your clients that your company holds its staff to the highest professional standards and will take very good care of them. Your customers will feel safer and more secure knowing they’re in certified hands.

Grow Knowledge and Skills

By acquiring new and updated industry information or techniques, you can hone current work habits that may be causing inefficiencies or quality issues with your output while increasing your competencies. This can help give you the skills and confidence to try something new such as establishing the groundwork to implement a more sophisticated working environment for your consultancy.

Increase Earning Potential

The time and effort invested in professional certifications often results in increased income. Most clients will understand the higher costs associated with specialized training and are willing to pay for consultants who have industry certifications. For example, Project Management Professional (PMP) certification recipients report median salaries that are 26% higher than those who are not PMP certified.

Boost Efficiency

Professional certifications can also help give your independent business a solid foundation. The advanced training, information, and knowledge you gain from specialized coursework can provide you with up-to-date tools and technical strategies that will serve to guide and direct you in the execution of your projects, allowing you to manage all aspects of your work more effectively.

Competitive Advantage

When you have training that your competitors don’t, it sets you. Certifications can differentiate you from other professionals in your field, showing that you have a demonstrated commitment to understanding and excelling in your profession. This can give you an advantage, which is particularly important in today’s competitive market. Stay on top of trends and learn how to use that new software or social platform before it becomes a household name.

Get Recognized as an Expert In New And Current Technologies

Earning a certification on a new operating system, platform or application will demonstrate that you have achieved what few have done up to that point: become certified on a new product. Passing an exam for a new certification presents several challenges due to the lack of study material and advice available from other certified individuals. Earning an IT certification on a new product can make you the subject matter expert in your organization, putting you in a positive light for your early efforts.

Get recognized as an expert in new and current technologies

Earning a certification on a new operating system, platform or application will demonstrate that you have achieved what few have done up to that point: become certified on a new product. Passing an exam for a new certification presents several challenges due to the lack of study material and advice available from other certified individuals. Earning an IT certification on a new product can make you the subject matter expert in your organization, putting you in a positive light for your early efforts.

Meet professional or corporate requirements

One way to ensure that IT staff has the necessary skills and experience on existing and new technologies is through certification and training. IT staff who have passed a certification exam or series of exams have the specific knowledge to respond to issues or challenges that the department faces, making them more effective in their jobs. Companies that invest in their staff through training and certification will have a more technically advanced workforce that can respond to new challenges more quickly.

Grow your professional credibility and it subject matter expertise

Earning a certification, especially a series of certifications from the same vendor, will provide immediate professional credibility. When it comes to their specific domain, it’s hard to question the judgement of a professional who holds a Cisco Certified Network Professional – Enterprise (CCNP), a Microsoft Certified: Azure Solutions Architect Expert, or a Certified Information Systems Security Professional (CISSP). Having earned one (or more) certifications demonstrates your expertise in the related skill domain and establishes you as a subject matter expert. Organizations with strong learning cultures provide those seeking professional development opportunities provide financial assistance and additional support. An increasing number of IT decision-makers (63%) say their organizations offer formal training, according to the IT Skills and Salary Report. Ultimately, certifications and professional development benefit both the individual and organization, so it’s an advantageous investment.

Gain access to networking opportunities after you become certified

Once you earn a certification with a specific vendor, you join a group of certified and skilled professionals. This is a perfect opportunity to grow your professional network. This can prove to be an invaluable peer resource group when seeking answers to problems or sharing the solutions to your own challenging scenarios. This peer group of certified professionals can also pass along guidance on how to further enhance your career or where to seek specific technical knowledge.

Certification makes it easier to build a case for promotions

Want to move up the corporate ladder or into a better, higher-paying job in your company, then you will need to learn new technologies or enhance the skills you currently possess. Earning a new certification is a surefire way to show management that you take your career seriously, invest in yourself, and have the ambition to improve. These traits, alongside the hard-earned skills and knowledge, are vital to building a case for earning a promotion or a raise.

Job retention increases when the organization invests in employees

In a volatile economic environment, businesses are always looking for ways to cut costs. That may mean jobs are on the line. Having an IT certification (or several) can mean the difference between keeping your job and having a chance to seek a new one. Earning a certification demonstrates that you are determined to enhance your skill set and knowledge, which benefits you and your employer. If you’re undecided in pursuing a certification, look at it like an investment in your future. It’s likely to pay off.

Reduce project costs

Like many business leaders, technical managers are well aware of project costs. Technical certifications — while they require an initial investment of time and money — appear to drive costs down in the long run. Cisco finds certified workers generate 29% lower total costs than non-certified coworkers. According to the IT Certification Council’s report, 36% of managers say troubleshooting takes less time, 33% say teams complete projects faster, and 29% say teams deploy products and services faster when workers have earned technical certifications.