Professional certification is an effective business growth tactic.
It is obligatory in industries such as accounting, teaching, and IT. In these sectors, professional certification is synonymous with career development.
Professional certification is a designation earned by individuals. It helps them gain qualifications to perform a job. Certifications are earned from a renowned society that has a certifying body.
They are not all about passing the final exam. Certifications are granted based on multiple factors, such as education, experience, and knowledge.
As such, certifications benefit both employees and employers. In this article, you will learn about the key benefits of professional certifications for your business.
1. Boosting Employee Retention
Hiring and onboarding new candidates can be costly. According to a study, hiring an employee costs an average of $7,645. Precisely because of that, employers should focus on retaining top performers.
That is where providing career advancement opportunities and certifications shine.
Professional certifications boost a feeling of value in your employees. They prove that your company is committed to helping its staff improve skills and advance their careers. In turn, your employees will be happier and more engaged. Most importantly, they will be satisfied with their current roles and remain loyal to your organization.
Employee training and professional certifications often go hand in hand with big promotions and higher salaries. They indicate that an employee is ready to take on additional responsibilities. For example, IT professionals who gain new skills receive the average raise of $12,000-$13,000.
For your staff, that is the opportunity to climb the corporate ladder. For employers, that is a chance to hire from within instead of hiring new staff. That helps you reduce recruiting and onboarding costs for your company.
According to research studies, 40% of employees who receive poor job training leave their positions within the first year. Moreover, employees satisfied with their careers are 59% less likely to look for a job in the next 12 months.
2. Attracting Top Candidates
In a hypercompetitive business ecosystem, grabbing the attention of top talent and hiring them is challenging. Both small and large businesses are facing a talent shortage.
Most top-notch candidates want to be challenged in their positions. They seek learning opportunities and expect businesses to provide them with the right training, certifications, and tools. Above all, high-quality candidates will consider the impact of your training and certifications options on their career goals and paths.
By providing regular career development opportunities and professional certifications, you will make your company more attractive to industry professionals. For example, say you are a healthcare organization. To attract top professionals in your industry, you could offer relevant ACLS certification and recertification courses.
If you finance employee certifications or reimburse staff for training that aligns with company goals, let candidates know about it. Offer detailed information on your career development policies and explain how they benefit employee roles.
3. Improved Workplace Engagement And Productivity
Your employees spend most of their waking hours working. However, they are not necessarily satisfied with their jobs. One of the main causes for employee dissatisfaction is the lack of career development and certifications.
Statistics back me up on that. Namely, 76% of employees expect opportunities for career growth. Moreover, 25% would be more satisfied if they were allowed to do what they do best.
By providing employees with training and certification opportunities, you will boost their engagement and satisfaction. These factors impact the overall workplace performance. According to a recent survey, employees with certifications were 90% times more productive and 60% more efficient than those without certifications.
4. Building An Agile Company Culture
In the era of sophisticated technologies, digital transformation is not optional anymore. It is a necessity for any company wanting to improve operational efficiency and gain a competitive advantage.
To get the most of the digital transformation process, you need to invest in superior business agility. That is where, again, upskilling staff with professional certifications helps.
By continuously investing in employee training, you will build a team of flexible individuals who can operate in multiple roles. By staying on top of industry trends and advancing their skills, they will stay on top of key industry trends and embrace shifts in niche technologies faster.
5. Reducing Errors and Mitigating Risks
The lack of employee training can harm company performance in multiple ways. It prevents your staff from identifying internal weaknesses.
Training overcomes these problems. You can train your employees on important subjects to help them identify performance gaps and mistakes at your company. Industry-specific training and certifications help employees come up with the right solutions faster.
Most importantly, professional certifications give you greater peace of mind. By providing your employees with the right training and certifications, you will encourage them to adhere to the highest professional standards. You will be able to rely on your employees’ ability to meet industry benchmarks and meet customer needs.
6. Building Trust with Clients
Today, customers can compare businesses before making purchasing decisions. They choose brands and products they trust. According to statistics, 81% of consumers said they needed to trust the brand before purchasing. Most importantly, trust also inspires loyalty.
One of the most effective ways to build trust with your target audience is to encourage your employees to earn a professional certification. That tells your clients that your organization invests in employee knowledge and skills. Knowing they are in certified staff’s hands, your customers will feel more secure and confident doing business with you.
Professional Certifications Are Vital To Your Organization
Professional certifications benefit your company on multiple levels. They boost employee satisfaction, engagement, and productivity. Above all, they reduce employee churn and allow you to attract top talent.
Professional certifications are also an opportunity to gain a competitive advantage in the competitive market. By hiring experienced and certified staff, you will build trust with customers and convert them faster.
