Employers Turn to IT Certifications to Bridge Critical Skills Gaps, Pearson Report Finds
Event summary
- 78% of employers prioritize professional certification as the leading upskilling investment to close IT and AI skills gaps.
- 93% of employers report a positive return on investment from certified IT employees, with an estimated USD 17,646 in additional annual value per certified employee.
- 92% of organizations require or strongly prioritize certification as part of their workforce strategy.
- 60% of organizations with IT skills gaps report significant business impact in the past year.
- The report is based on surveys of 505 IT and HR leaders across seven countries.
The big picture
Pearson's report highlights a strategic shift towards professional certification as a core workforce strategy, driven by persistent IT and AI skills gaps. This trend reflects the broader understanding that advanced technologies like AI create the most value when paired with a skilled workforce. The findings underscore the growing importance of certification as a broader workforce investment, extending beyond skills development to include competitive advantage, talent attraction, and employee retention.
What we're watching
- Certification Demand
- Whether the 84% of employees planning to pursue additional certifications in the next 12 months will sustain the growing importance of certifications.
- AI Integration
- How the pairing of AI with a certified workforce will impact business outcomes and competitive advantage.
- Global Skills Gap
- The pace at which organizations in different regions will close high-risk skills gaps in AI, machine learning, cybersecurity, and cloud computing.
Related topics