​Why certification matters in technology roles

Finding the right candidate to fill IT job openings continues to pose a challenge for many human resources managers.

As the demand for IT workers continues to grow, more and more employers are turning to certifications to help identify the right candidates.

At present, there are almost two million unfilled IT jobs globally across a variety of industries, according to the IT industry association, CompTIA, with 93 percent of HR managers challenged to find the right IT candidate for an open role.

In addition, findings show that 91 percent of employers consider certifications a “critical element” in hiring and predicting employee success.

“In a professional landscape facing a skills shortage, certification can help organisations identify qualified technology candidates that can meet the requirements of an open role,” says Colin McCabe, Director of Consulting and Training, Red Hat.

“From a candidate's perspective, the research also illustrates how important certification is becoming for candidates to help them stand out in a competitive market.

“Certification has always been about capability, but it is rapidly becoming a factor in employability.”

McCabe believes certification can make the difference between being considered for an IT or role and being ignored by a potential employer.

“Likewise, certification offers organisations a level of confidence that a new or existing employee can bring specific knowledge and skills the business,” he adds.

“Certification is also a way to create certainty around quality standards of IT work within the organisation.”

As technology evolves, McCabe believes organisations can use certification as a way to support employees in up-skilling activities.