Industry certification programs provide many benefits, not only to the individuals who hold the certifications and microcredentials, but to employers, the industry as a whole, and to the public. Below are some of the many benefits of professional certifications and microcredentials.

For the Individual

• Successfully validates one’s knowledge of the field
• Demonstrates both internally and externally that a practitioner has the knowledge base to perform their job
• Enhances credibility and professional reputation
• Differentiates professionals from competitors who don’t hold a certification or microcredential
• Demonstrates a high level of commitment to the profession
• Provides a clear, value-added professional development path
• Looks great on a resume and a business card!

For the Employer

• Establishes a baseline employee competence level
• Creates a competitive advantage over other companies whose employees aren’t certified Is more powerful than self-promotion, as knowledge is validated by a third party
• Is more powerful than self-promotion, as knowledge is validated by a third party
• Reflects company-wide expertise in an ever-changing landscape
• Makes for a more motivated staff with a higher morale because they feel important and necessary to the bottom line and overall growth of the organization

For the Industry as a Whole

• Enhances the reputation of the industry
• Identifies qualified service providers Provides a level of confidence in service providers

Lastly, for the external stakeholders, your customers – it puts you front and center to better serve your clients by increasing their confidence in their service providers.