Top Four ReasonsforCertif ication Increase credibility [MtF A% Bf Already Certified Demonstrate knowledge/skills Candidates 1% Labels on bars represent the Increase compensation percentage of respondents who choseit as the primary reason Increase productivity 24 0% 10% 20% 30% 40% 50% 60% 70% 80% 90% 100% @ According to a recent survey, professional credibility is a driving force for IT professionals who are pursuing certification. (NAPSA)—Increasingly, profes- sionals in the Information Technology (IT) field are pursuing pro- fessional certification for very personal reasons. That’s one of the key findings of a study of IT professionals that found that the top reason individuals pursued IT certification in 2002 was to enhance professional credibility. Survey respondents pointed to the increase in confidence and perception of competence that comes with certification as a reason for pursuingit. For managers, the benefits of certification can increasingly be foundin the value that it brings to the organization. Organizations are still looking to IT certification as a tool to evaluate their current staff and screen prospective job applicants. Hiring managers appear to perceive certification as a price of entry and mayfind it conspicuous if contenders do not cite certifications on their rsum. Ninety percent of managers surveyed indicated that some percentage of their staff had taken a certification test for training programs where certification was available. In general, the survey results show an increased focus and willingnessto prove credibility among candidates and already certified respondents. Thirty-two percent of candidates and 34 percent of already certified respondents report credibility as the top reason for certification last year, compared with 27 percent and 12 percent, respectively, in 2001. Additionally, demonstrate knowledge and skills, increase compensation and increase productivity followed credibility as the top reasons to pursue certification among candidates and already certified respondents. A company called Prometric— described as a global leader in the technology-enabled testing and assessment industry—has been conducting these studies for the past five years as a means of measuring the perceived value of and attitudes toward training and certification among worldwide IT professionals. In total, more than 8,000 IT professionals from more than 50 countries participated in this most recent survey. To learn more about the survey and the company, visit the Web site at www.prometric.com.
