Build Stronger Teams with Certified IT Professionals
Certifications validate technical skills, reduce hiring risk, and accelerate productivity. Discover how leading employers leverage certification for competitive advantage.
The Business Case for Certification
Hiring certified IT professionals delivers measurable returns across multiple business dimensions. Organizations that prioritize certifications in their hiring and development strategies consistently outperform their peers.
Faster Productivity
Certified professionals reach full productivity up to one month sooner than non-certified peers, reducing ramp-up time and training costs.
Source: InfoBrief, sponsored by IT Certification Council (ITCC) | March 2024
Skills Validation
Certifications provide trusted, objective validation of skills that reduce hiring risk and streamline talent decisions. Beyond recruitment, they help organizations identify qualified employees, accelerate project staffing, support internal mobility, and ensure the right talent is deployed to meet business needs.
Higher Retention
Certified employees report higher job satisfaction and are more likely to stay with their employer long-term.
Quality Outcomes
Teams with certified professionals demonstrate lower error rates and better problem-solving capabilities and are more productive.
How to Evaluate Certifications
Not all certifications are created equal. When evaluating which credentials to use as evidence of skills for hiring, internal mobility, and project placement decisions, consider these key quality indicators:
- Industry Recognition: Is the certification recognized and valued by employers in your industry?
- Skills Alignment: Do the exam objectives directly map to the technical skills your roles require?
- Validated Process: Does earning the certification require passing a rigorous exam rather than simply completing training?
- Independent Measurement: Are skills evaluated through a reliable, fair, and rigorous process?
- Security Standards: Are exams delivered securely with identity verification and proctoring?
- Ongoing Maintenance/Recertification: Does the certification require renewal or demonstrate continued competence over time?
- Transparency of Skills: Do you clearly understand what the certified individual knows and can do?
Using Certifications in Hiring and Talent Decisions
Incorporating Certifications into Hiring and Workforce Decisions
- Include relevant certifications in job descriptions and talent profiles.
- Designate certifications as preferred or required based on business needs.
- Align certifications with role levels and career pathways.
- Recognize equivalent credentials that validate comparable skills.
- Use certifications to support hiring, internal mobility, project staffing, and workforce planning.
- Maintain skills visibility across the organization to identify and deploy qualified talent more effectively.
- Leverage certification data to build and maintain a dynamic inventory of verified skills.
Supporting Employee Certification
- Provide study time and resources for employees pursuing certifications.
- Offer exam vouchers and reimbursement to earn certifications.
- Consider providing reimbursement for exam preparation and training.
- Recognize newly certified employees to encourage others.
- Create clear career paths showing how certifications support advancement.
- Consider certification as part of an overall professional development program.
- Set certification goals aligned to business priorities and employee development plans.
Want to Learn More?
Read our Value of IT Certification series on Forbes.com.
How Organizations Can Fill IT Skills Gaps In Their Workforce
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The Power Of Having Certified IT Professionals In Your Organization
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Certifications Can Be A Powerful Tool For Measuring Job Skills
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The Key Differences Between IT Certifications and Learning Assessments
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