{"id":16283,"date":"2023-09-21T15:03:18","date_gmt":"2023-09-21T14:03:18","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.identifiglobal.com\/?p=16283"},"modified":"2023-09-21T15:03:18","modified_gmt":"2023-09-21T14:03:18","slug":"professional-certifications-worth","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.identifiglobal.com\/news\/professional-certifications-worth\/","title":{"rendered":"Are Professional Certifications and Training Really Worth It?"},"content":{"rendered":"

Everybody\u2019s talking about professional certifications and training for your career.<\/span><\/p>\n

But are they worth the time and effort\u2014not to mention the often significant financial investment?\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

And will they <\/span>really <\/span><\/i>help you build your career?\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

In this article, we\u2019ll weigh four key benefits of investing in professional certifications and training against four key considerations to factor into your decision.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

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The benefits of investing in professional certifications and training<\/span><\/h2>\n

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Here are four key benefits of investing in professional certifications and training.<\/span><\/p>\n

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1. Improve your confidence and performance<\/span><\/h3>\n

92% of candidates<\/span><\/a> say they\u2019re more confident in their abilities after receiving their certifications.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

While, according to the same research, 81% believe they produce higher quality work and 74% say they have more autonomy and independence as a result.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Acquiring new skills and knowledge (or even just refreshing and updating what you already know) will equip you with the skills and confidence you need to level up your output, impress your managers and excel in your career.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

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2. Advance in your career\u00a0<\/span><\/h3>\n

Almost 8 in 10 employees<\/span><\/a> consider formal training programmes to help them advance in their careers.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

And the research proves that it <\/span>works<\/span><\/i>.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

In fact, over the past year, <\/span>39% of candidates<\/span><\/a> have secured a new job as a result of earning their certifications and learning new skills. While 27% accepted job promotions at their current companies.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Earning credentials and learning new skills not only opens the doors to higher-paying positions but also higher levels of responsibility and ownership, new opportunities and improved job security.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

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3. Boost your earning potential\u00a0<\/span><\/h3>\n

Over the past year, <\/span>73% of people<\/span><\/a> who completed professional certifications either earned a salary increase or were anticipating receiving one at the time of research, with 35% earning a pay increase of <\/span>20% or more<\/span><\/i>.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

When you\u2019ve earned the right professional certifications and training, you\u2019re much more attractive to potential or existing employers.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Why? Well, because you can bring in more value for the business. You\u2019re more likely to know best practices and be up-to-date with the most efficient and effective way of doing things. You require less on-the-job training.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Employers value that. And they\u2019re prepared to pay you a higher salary for it.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Some industries will also have established pay scales tied to the attainment of specific certifications. For example, in IT, certifications such as CompTIA A+, Cisco Certified Network Associate (CCNA), Microsoft Certified Azure Administrator, and AWS Certified Solutions Architect are almost guaranteed to lead to higher pay.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

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4. Gain a competitive advantage\u00a0<\/span><\/h3>\n

Another candidate might have the same level of education and experience as you.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

But certifications can give you that extra edge you need to stand out.<\/span><\/p>\n

In fact, <\/span>72% of hiring managers<\/span><\/a> are more likely to employ a candidate who holds a certification.<\/span><\/p>\n

That\u2019s because holding professional certifications and training demonstrates that you\u2019re prepared to take the initiative to develop specialised expertise and to work hard on developing yourself and your skill set.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

It also shows that you require less on-the-job training than candidates who lack the same skills and knowledge, which is always an attractive quality to potential employers.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

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The identifi Learning platform offers more than 200 world-class courses and certification training with industry-recognised qualifications. Get your 25% off selected Learning Tree International courses by getting in touch here.<\/span><\/a>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

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Key considerations for gaining professional certifications and training<\/span><\/h2>\n

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Here are four key factors when considering professional certifications and training.<\/span><\/p>\n

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1. Your career goals<\/span><\/h3>\n

First and foremost, any certification or training you pursue should be <\/span>relevant <\/span><\/i>to your long-term career goals and objectives. Otherwise, you could just be wasting your time and money.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Start by first defining what your short- and long-term career goals are and the types of skills you\u2019ll need to help you get there.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

To do that, you could:<\/span><\/p>\n