Global Demand for Certified Employees is Growing

Global demand for certified employees across industries is growing. Many companies now require specific certifications regardless of the education level and experience of potential employees. It has become a primary vehicle for screening applicants as it provides employers with measurable evidence that the applicant has the required knowledge base for the position.

Take an example of being treated by a medical doctor. Who would you choose? A board certified doctor or one who has a medical degree but is not board certified? What about an elementary teacher for your child? Would you prefer a teacher with an undergraduate degree and a teacher certification or just someone with an undergraduate degree? Proof of certification provides employers and customers with a sense of comfort as it is an indicator that the service provider has up-to-date knowledge of best practices required for the job.

The level of education for a professional is also becoming a primary differentiator as an indicator of merit. There was a time when a high school diploma was sufficient for entry-level positions. Now, the expectation has changed. An undergraduate degree is often required for entry-level positions, and a master’s degree is preferred for jobs that will evolve into supervisory roles. A specific certification along with the level of education provides a common denominator for recruiters to assess specific career skills as well as reduce the significant number of resumes received for advertised jobs.

The global IT market, as an example, has become tremendously competitive; there are many qualified people competing for the same jobs. A certification may not ensure that the person will perform well, but it gets him or her into the position at which point the company relies on appraisals to review performance and determine possible promotions. Many companies include in their annual budget an amount per employee for training to receive desired certifications as well as continued training to maintain their certifications. For example, to receive a Project Management Professional (PMP) certification, an individual must meet the education and experience requirements and also be trained for 35 hours on project management principles as outlined by the PMI Institute. This training can only be received from a registered education provider approved by the PMI Institute to issue Professional Development Units (PDU). Furthermore, to maintain the certification, the professional is required to submit 60 hours of specific development or training from a registered education provider every three years.

Finally, other benefits of certification include continued enhancement of knowledge base including global best practices, credibility, and recognition among colleagues, clients, and management.

At www.mycourseroom.com, we provide global workers access to high quality, interactive, expert knowledge in the areas of project management, leadership, ethics, compliance, human resource management, and just-in-time knowledge based on current trends in specific sectors.