The Value of an Information Technology Certificate
In today’s fast-paced, volatile and competitive global market, businesses and organizations want to ensure their employees have the skills necessary to succeed. This is especially critical for computer and information technology personnel. Information technology certifications can help give students and professionals a competitive edge and open doors to numerous job opportunities and promotions. In contrast to theory-based computer training, information technology certificates prove to employers that potential job candidates have up-to-date skill sets and hours of on-the-job training.
This view is shared by many of the managers and professionals studied by CompTia and Microsoft. Below are sample findings from recent CompTia and Microsoft reports:
• 86% of hiring managers indicate that IT certifications are a high or medium priority during the candidate evaluation process.
• 91% of hiring managers consider certification as part of their hiring criteria.
• 91% of hiring managers believe IT certifications are valuable in validating expertise.
• 60% of IT networking professionals surveyed said that certification led to a new job.
• Five times as many high-growth/high-salary positions require experience with Office than all non-Microsoft software skills combined.
Similar results were concluded in the annual InformationWeek US IT Salary Survey. Of the 11,000 IT professionals surveyed, an overwhelming majority stated that technology-specific training and certifications were most valuable in developing their careers.
The value of certifications is becoming more and more prevalent, and not just to employers. According to a United States Census Bureau report, certificates were affirmed to have “real labor market value.” The report found that professional certification and license holders earned an average of 15% more than associate degree and 21% more than high school degree holders.
At Asher College, all the computer career programs are centered on certifications. Asher College offers students the opportunity to earn various Microsoft, CompTia and Cisco certifications including A+, Network+, CCNA, MCSE and Linux+.
For more information on IT certifications and the programs at Asher College, visit the website or one of its convenient locations.
Sources:
CompTIA, Employer Perceptions of IT Training and Certification, January 2011
Microsoft, Microsoft Certification Program Satisfaction Study, April 2012
Network World and SolarWinds, IT Networking Study, October 2011
IDC/Microsoft, Skills Requirements for Tomorrow’s Best Jobs: Helping Educators Provide Students
with Skills and Tools They Need, October 2013
Ewert, Stephanie & Robert Kominski, “Measuring Alternative Educational Credentials: 2012,”
US Census Bureau, January 2014
InformationWeek 2014 US IT Salary Survey, February 2014
