The Value of IT Certifications

The following article is from our friends at Tombolo Institute to support folks looking to upskill their careers.

As IT leaders scramble to close the skills gaps within their organizations, hiring candidates with the right IT certifications is becoming increasingly advantageous. Hiring managers are under tremendous pressure to find new hires who can quickly become productive team members, who can troubleshoot problems and complete projects on time, with minimal handholding. Candidates who hold high-value IT certifications are considered more job-ready than those who do not.

In fact, an overwhelming percentage of IT decision-makers agree that the value of certification is undeniable. The Global Knowledge 2019 IT Skills and Salary Report states, “Ninety-three percent of decision-makers around the world agree that IT-certified employees provide added value above and beyond the cost of certification. When asked to estimate the economic benefit of certified employees versus their non-certified peers, 63% said it exceeds $10,000 a year. Twenty-two percent placed the number above $30,000.”

According to Burning Glass Technologies’ 2017 report The Value of Industry Certifications in the Job Market, IT certifications provide employers with additional assurances of candidates’ skills and capabilities by “reducing the need to rely on imperfect proxies, like college degrees.” For employees, IT certifications “outline career ladders that define industries … and give job seekers guidance about what skills are necessary to advance.”

A comprehensive strategy to narrowing the ever-widening IT skills gap must also include upskilling current employees. According to the same 2019 Global Knowledge IT Skills Report, IT decision-makers “are struggling to ensure their teams have the skills needed to meet organizational goals. Unfortunately, that struggle is only getting worse.” While not a panacea for solving the persistent skills gap problem, providing employees with training and educational opportunities that result in certification is a cost-effective and expedient option.

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