4 Long-Term Benefits of Earning an Employee Certification
There are a lot of training opportunities and employee certifications available in the printing industry from manufacturers, distributors, trade associations, and more. It’s important to note that not all training is equal. Some training is tied to a product, like a RIP manufacturer that wants to ensure you are familiar with its software. In this example, the goal is to ensure that you understand how to use its specific software with fewer tech support questions.
Other training can be tied to equipment operation — a screen printing press, a DTG printer, or other equipment used in a production environment. This training can be basic — like locating the “print” button — or more involved — like performing maintenance — but the training is often specific to a piece of equipment.
Let’s take a look at certification. The definition of certification is “an official document attesting to a status or level of achievement.” This leads to a differentiator between certification versus more generic training.
Certification involves some sort of assessment. The assessment could be a written (or online) test or a hands-on test (and, in some cases, a combination of both written and hands-on). Because the certifying organization wants to ensure mastery, testing is essential for proof of knowledge and comprehension.
Benefits of Employee Certifications
These are the top four reasons why getting certified is beneficial for you and your career:
- A certification helps you stand out in a crowded field. When looking at two candidates for a position, the candidate that has invested the time in mastering a skill and becoming certified shows a higher level of commitment to their profession.
- A certification builds professional credibility. A certification is a verifiable way to let others know you have mastered a skill or topic with a third-party verification of that skill level.
- A certification can help you advance in your career. Pursuing a certification lets others know that you take your profession seriously and have taken the time to prove it. When it’s time for a promotion or advancement, having a certification — or multiple certifications — lets any employer know that you are a valuable resource and a great addition to the team.
- A certification increases your earning potential. Whether you’re a salaried employee or a consultant, the time you invest in obtaining a certification can improve your ability to make more money.
