The Power of Having Certified IT Professionals in Your Organization

In a recent Forbes Human Resources Council article dated June 25, 2024, Liberty Munson, who serves as the current vice chair of the IT Certification Council (ITCC) and is also on the Forbes Human Resources Council, emphasizes the importance of having certified IT professionals within an organization. In her insightful article, Munson, who works as director of psychometrics at Microsoft, highlights how offering employees opportunities to earn certifications is more than just a perk—it’s a strategic investment in your organization’s future.

Certification as a Retention Strategy

Munson begins by citing a 2021 Gallup survey that states 66% of workers ages 18-24 ranked learning new skills as the third-most important factor when evaluating new job opportunities. Certification opportunities provide employees with the chance to expand their skills, take on more responsibility, and feel more challenged in their roles. Having this sense of purpose and progression in the job role is crucial in helping employees find greater meaning in their work, which in turn is important for retention, according to Munson.

Additionally, she notes several organizational benefits for companies that choose to invest in certification programs. When companies invest in these programs, they are not just investing in their employees; they are investing in the future of their business. According to Munson, companies that invest in certifications create a workforce that feels valued, which leads to higher retention rates. She writes, “Moreover, certified employees demonstrate greater loyalty and commitment.” This in turn, helps to contribute to a culture of excellence that both benefits employee morale and supports the overall success of the organization.

Key Benefits of Having Certified IT Professionals

With detailed examples and pertinent data, Munson provides three key benefits your organization could see if you encourage certification among employees.

1. Supports Greater Performance

Munson points to research from Pearson VUE that found that employees with IT certifications consistently outperform their noncertified peers. This higher performance is evident in the quality of work they produce and their overall productivity. While this research focuses on IT certifications, the benefits can be extrapolated to other types of certifications as well.

As an example, Munson notes data from a study conducted by IDC and sponsored by the ITCC. According to the study, IT teams where three-quarters of members are certified complete projects 25% faster and have significantly greater success in modernizing enterprise applications. These teams excel in key technology areas such as security, application development, and cloud data engineering in machine learning.”[CG1] [RC2]

Munson gives an example of one company that recognizes the value of certifications. The company is HSO, a global solution integrator that is a partner with Microsoft. HSO’s dedication to training and certification enables its employees to stay current with the latest tech skills, ensuring that each team member can meet their professional goals.

2. Provides a Business Edge

Munson writes, “Having certified employees can contribute to your organization building trust with customers.” When customers see that your employees are certified in skills that are critical to their success, it builds trust and confidence in your company’s solutions. This trust often translates into new sales, increased customer loyalty, and repeat business.

• Munson recommends that organizations actively promote their employees’ certifications. She provides several suggestions:
• Highlight their certifications on the company’s homepage or the “About Us” page on the company’s website.
• Encourage employees to share their certifications on LinkedIn.
• Regularly post articles on your company’s LinkedIn page to highlight whenever members of the IT team earn new certifications.

3. Addresses Skills Shortage

Munson mentions the ongoing IT skills shortage across the business world. According to IDC’s 2024 Enterprise Resilience: IT Skilling Strategies report, “[B]y 2026, more than 90% of organizations worldwide will feel the pain of the IT skills crisis, amounting to some $5.5 trillion in losses caused by product delays, impaired competitiveness, and loss of business.”

To address the IT skills shortage, Munson suggests IT certification programs can help professionals expand their skills sets in areas including AI, cloud administration, programming, and cybersecurity, which are all fields where demand for expertise is rapidly outpacing the supply of qualified candidates. She writes, “By seeking out certified candidates, you can ensure you’re bringing on the right talent to implement efficiency-driving technologies. It also helps you place candidates in the most impactful roles.”

Leveraging Certification for Organizational Success

According to Munson, one common concern she hears from organizations is that if an employee gets certified, they will leave and take those skills with them. She believes the opposite is true, explaining that “investing in learning and development is actually key to retaining your employees.” She lists two ways you can help your organization attract and retain certified employees:

1. Support Certification Efforts

Munson says, “Today’s employees want their employers’ financial support when pursuing certification.” She suggests companies consider covering the cost of earning a certification, including preparing and sitting for the required exams, and giving employees the time and space they need to study.

2. Career Path Integration

Munson talks about the need to build certifications into career paths as a strategic approach that benefits both your organization and your employees. As employees move from one role to the next, or continue to advance in their current role, certification is one way they can stay up-to -date with the pace of change in their respective fields. Munson explains, “With the half-life of a skill being approximately five years, it’s critically important for your organization’s success to ensure employees are aligned with industry standards.”

Munson concludes by stating certifications provide numerous benefits to your organization, including: 

• Identifying and closing IT skills gaps.
• Building trust with customers.
• Completing projects efficiently and improving your company’s reputation in the market.

She suggests that incorporating certification into your company’s strategy is not just about keeping up with industry trends—it’s about investing in your company’s future. By encouraging a culture of continuous learning and development, your organization can build a capable and confident workforce.

Becky Gray is the senior certification exam director [CG3] at SAS. For more information on the IT Certification Council, visit its website. Read the full Forbes article.