Summary: A college degree was once the best way to get a resume noticed. That is no longer the case. The hiring landscape has changed, and employers are now more impressed by real-world skills demonstrated through certifications.
The landscape of professional success continues to evolve. And as it does, the traditional pathways to kick-starting a career no longer guarantee success. A college degree is no longer a golden ticket to a well-paying job with benefits and longevity. It is not even a non-negotiable prerequisite for an entry-level position. Today, certifications are just as important, if not more so.
Whether you are a high school senior preparing for the next chapter in life or an experienced professional hoping to pivot to a new career path, we want you to understand the immediate and tangible benefits of professional certifications. They can truly be game-changers.
Forget about the heavy burden of student loan debt and the abstract, theoretical knowledge that plays well in college classrooms but not so well in the real world. Instead, seek professional certifications that teach practical skills. They offer immediate relevance and a fast-track path to show you are the most valuable job candidate an employer can look for.
Employers Want Genuine Skills
Today’s job market is fast-paced and highly competitive. And yet, employers are facing a critical challenge in nearly every industry: a measurable skills gap. They need employees with real skills that are applicable to the daily grind. The problem is they cannot find them.
While traditional degree programs do have their benefits, many programs focus on a broad education rather than targeted skills. Degree programs do not always keep pace with the rapid changes many industries are dealing with. But certification training does. Professional certifications are designed by industry experts to address the skills gaps employers are facing right now. As different skills are emphasized and de-emphasized, certifications adapt.
The Employer’s Perspective
Regardless of your current employment status, have you ever stepped back to consider the employer’s perspective in the hiring process? Certain things tend to stick out when hiring managers are sifting through hundreds of applications for a single role. A four-year degree built on general coursework is not one of them.
Here are examples of the things employers are looking for:
- Certifications in the most popular business software.
- Proven skills in computer languages and coding.
- Intimate knowledge of crucial project management methodology.
These three examples demonstrate that employers are looking for real, genuine, daily-demanded skills. But it is more than that. Employers need to know that the skills prospective job candidates offer are up to date. Once again, this is where certification training really shines. Relevant certifications do not just tell employers that you are educated; they tell them you are trained and ready to contribute on day one.
The Power of Precision Training
Here at ProTrain, we offer hundreds of professional certifications covering highly coveted jobs in dozens of industries. Take healthcare and allied health. We have nearly 4-dozen different certification courses covering careers that include dental assistant, EKG technician, home health aid, and master of cannabis.
If you have noticed the highly targeted nature of these four career categories, you’ve just come to understand why certification training is so important. It is precision training that focuses on targeted careers and the skills necessary to flourish in them.
Maybe you are a high school senior hoping to break into the IT industry after you graduate. A good place to start is an entry-level support position. You could go to college to earn a computer science degree before applying for that first job. But you could also enroll with ProTrain to earn your CompTIA A+ certification, a certification that validates your expertise in PC hardware, software, networking, and security.
Think about employers again. Which type of candidate do you think they would prefer? Most want the real-world skills that come from certification training rather than the broader knowledge of a college degree.
Professional certifications are all about precision. It is the kind of precision employers know will help them as they build their teams for the future.
Ready for Work Faster
There is another aspect to precision training that works to your advantage as an entry-level worker: getting to work faster. How much faster? While it could take you 2-4 years to earn a college degree, certification courses can be completed as quickly as you like.
Most of our courses are self-paced and online, giving you access to course materials for up to 12 months. But if you are able to finish a course in just 3 months, go for it. You control when you learn, how quickly you learn, and how fast your certification starts stacking up.
Getting to work faster means getting your foot in the door and beginning to work your way up the ladder just as fast. That’s how you build a career that ultimately makes you invaluable to your employer.
As a bonus, certification training is significantly less expensive than a college degree program. Not only that, but we also believe it offers a better return on investment. You do not finish your training with a boatload of student loan debt. Meanwhile, certifications are your ticket to higher-paying jobs that will more quickly pay any amount of debt you have accumulated.
Stand Out From the Crowd
It used to be that entry-level job candidates stood out from the crowd with a 2- or 4-year degree. That is no longer the case. In a competitive job market, where differentiating yourself from other candidates is so important, certifications stand out. Professional certifications demonstrate that:
- You are willing to take the initiative to acquire specialized knowledge.
- You are willing to commit the time and effort needed to master industry skills.
- You possess real-world skills that are directly applicable to a particular job.
- Your skills and abilities have been validated through accredited certification exams.
Professional certifications instantly elevate a job candidate’s application. They are a game-changing addition to any resume, even when applying for entry-level jobs.
Whether you are a high school senior preparing for your future or an experienced worker looking to pivot, contact ProTrain to learn more about our certification training. Call us at (844) 292-8641 or send a message to info@protrain.edu. We are ready to get you started on a highly specialized training path.
FAQs
Can certification training really replace a college degree?
While some specialized careers (like medical doctor and attorney) still require degrees, some of the best-paying jobs do not. Plenty of entry-level IT, healthcare, and project management careers are skills-based, making them ideal for certification training.
Do I have to graduate from high school before I can begin training?
Yes. All students must have a high school diploma or GED to enroll in ProTrain certification programs. This ensures students are prepared to succeed in their training and certification exams.
I have been working for 20 years; can I still get certified?
Absolutely. It is never too late to begin certification training. The right certifications can help you advance your career or pivot to something new.
How long does training take?
Most of our certification programs are completed within 3 to 9 months. Program complexity and the amount of time you are able to commit ultimately determine how long it takes.
