As employment opportunities evolve continuously, so does the need for upskilling among the workforce and students. This is also more true in the case of sectors such as Information Technology (IT), where the influence of emerging technology has been particularly dynamic. “The primary factor contributing towards the increasing demand for certifications is the need to address the existing skill gaps across industries. In an era of ubiquitous technology, fast-paced digitalisation has completely revamped business operations, with new roles and responsibilities emerging constantly. Amidst this rapid transformation, professionals and students must acquire new skill sets beyond their formal academic qualifications,” Pravesh Dudani, founder and chancellor, Medhavi Skills University, told FE Education.
Data from a survey conducted by Pearson VUE, titled ‘Value of IT Certification,’ encompassing 21,000 respondents worldwide, revealed that certified professionals experienced a boost in self-assurance about their skills. Approximately 92% of the participants indicated increased confidence in exploring new job opportunities after obtaining a certification. The data indicates that there is a significant global talent shortage, reaching a 16-year high, with 75% of employers grappling with skill gaps. These IT certifications appear to play a role in mitigating these skill shortages. “As industries evolve and new technologies emerge, there is a growing need for professionals to acquire up-to-date skills and knowledge. Certification courses provide a structured way to stay current in rapidly changing fields, such as information technology, data science, and digital marketing,” Vikalp Sharma, founder, Hostginger, an employee-owned web hosting provider, said.
Data further revealed that 37% of respondents saw an increase in salary increase after acquiring their certifications. In terms of demographics, younger professionals displayed a greater inclination towards pursuing these certifications, with 42% of Gen-Z individuals expressing a preference for such credentials. Notably, the report revealed that first-time certificate seekers were becoming younger. The proportion of candidates aged 34 years or younger seeking their first certification has been on the rise, while the proportion of those aged between 55 years or older seeking their first certification has been declining. “In the up-skilling up process, the industry-endorsed certifications are the most relevant tool, which works as a third-party validation and gives a candidate an upper edge in the job market. Many professionals pursue certification courses to advance their careers,” Dudani said.
Interestingly, while skill enhancement and career progression emerged as primary motives for pursuing certifications, only a quarter of respondents cited job changes as a motivating factor. Most individuals pursued these certifications to enhance their professional profiles. In the case of IT as a sector, with an increasing use of data various companies have changed policies and strategy. As a result, the demand in this particular area is expected to see a huge rise. “Data is a resource which is increasing every moment. Today in every field we are sitting on a huge pile of data which is being realised as the most precious asset. In order to utilise the potential of this precious asset ‘Data’, Big Data learning comes into picture. The demand for Data Engineers is increasing year on year and will keep on increasing in the coming 10 years also,” Sumit Mittal, founder, CEO, TrendyTech, said. In addition to individual investments in self-certifications, it is believed that companies have increased their commitment, with 59% of respondents reporting that their employers had invested more in IT skills training over the 12-month period covered by the survey.