Why Certifications Are Hurting the Agile Industry: The Truth
A critical look at certifications in agile
The Agile industry has long placed an emphasis on certifications as a requirement for jobs. Individuals are feeling compelled to obtain certification to demonstrate their competence as employers and recruiters place significant weight on certification as a prerequisite for job consideration. Unfortunately, this has led to a prioritization of certification over practical skills and knowledge, leading to a shortage of practical skills in the market.
As a trainer in the Agile industry, I have noticed a concerning trend - the most common question individuals ask is whether they will receive a certificate, suggesting that obtaining a certificate is often viewed as more important than gaining knowledge and practical skills. This overemphasis on certification has resulted in a surge in the training industry, as individuals seek to attend courses solely to obtain the required certification.
It is essential to recognize that offering certification as a business is often not profitable and can be a cumbersome process for training companies. Certification is a supply to the demand, and the issue lies with the emphasis on certification as a requirement for recruitment rather than with the training companies. Criticizing training companies for offering certification is therefore misplaced.
The demand for certification in the Agile industry has created a vicious cycle. Employers and recruiters place significant weight on certification as a prerequisite for job consideration, which has led to individuals prioritizing certification over practical skills and knowledge. As a result, individuals seek out training courses solely for the purpose of obtaining certification, which has further perpetuated a shortage of real skills in the industry.
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