Industry certifications give special credence to professionals and, by extension, the organization to which they contribute. This is why recognizing an exemplary and industry certified-employee can go far in promoting capabilities, fostering marketplace authority, and creating positive impressions among buyers.
When an organization can broadcast that its exemplary employee received an industry certification, it’s more than just a headline from one of many press release examples, it’s an opportunity to show that a company is capable and that its team consists of skilled professionals.
It’s a mistake to think that industry certifications only matter to people within an organization or industry. When this news is shared with customers in the right way, a company can attract the attention of a marketplace and assert its role as a trustworthy provider that cares about meeting and surpassing standards.
Read on to learn why industry certifications are relevant and how they can be leveraged to make a positive and powerful impression.
Why Is An Industry Certification Important?
Put simply, Industry certifications are important because they indicate a set of standards have been met. This is true regardless of the type of accreditation.
Maintaining standards is foundational to maintaining trust. Since this type of credentialing is usually issued through third-party or governing entities, industry certifications serve as a testament to objective achievement and confirmed credibility.
Industry certifications can say a lot in very few words—sometimes with just an image of a certification logo or seal. They can be considered shorthand for widely accepted quality and credence.
There’s a lot of trust and peace of mind to be gained by knowing you’re working with a person or organization that’s capable of achieving a set of meaningful requirements. Customers value this, which is why certifications are sought-after by all types of companies for all types of criteria.
In some cases, a certification may be a prerequisite for a company to be considered for a contract or job. This is especially common in B2B marketplaces and government contractors. But even if they’re not a requirement, a relevant certification can go far any time one must make the case that they should be trusted for a job, whether it’s on a resume or sales presentation.
When a company shares the news that it has acquired or maintained a certification—or that it is onboarding a new employee who holds industry-certified credentials—it shows that it’s growing and actively building the attributes that make it trustworthy and respectable.
Then there are the specific criteria of the certification itself. Focusing on these standards and their significance is a way to underscore capabilities that are relevant to what a company delivers. Spreading the word on this can catch the attention of the most discerning customers and steer them away from competitors who lack such credentials.
There are other reasons why industry certifications are important, but equally important is recognizing and sharing the information with the people who use it to make the right purchasing decision.
Why Recognize An Industry-Certified Employee?
- It reflects positively on the organization and shows that it employs capable individuals.
- It makes the industry-certified employee feel valued and that their credentials contribute to the credibility of their employer.
- It adds prestige that can attract new talented and skilled employees who also value professional accreditation.
How To Recognize An Exemplary Industry-Certified Employee
When an employee receives an industry certification, they should be recognized. There are many ways to do this and not all of them will apply to every type of company, certification, or employee, but generally, there is internal recognition and external recognition.
Internal recognition is anything that’s done to recognize and congratulate the employee within the company. This might include providing a gift, having a party, and posting a plaque, etc. Internal recognition can go a long way toward making an employee feel appreciated and a valued contributor to their organization’s success.
External recognition is anything that’s public-facing. This can include sharing the certification achievement details on the company website, social media, and various marketing materials.
View these press release examples to see how companies share the news of their employees’ achievements and capabilities in a way that resonates with customers.
Making Industry Certifications Matter To Customers
When recognizing the industry certification of an exemplary employee, the impact will be most meaningful to customers if they can clearly see how meeting the certification criteria amounts to a better experience for them.
This might mean an assurance of specially tested products, safety-assured services, or other offerings provided by professionals will fully accredited skills and knowledge. Focus on the ripple effects of the certification and help customers see why it’s ultimately beneficial to their experience.
Sharing news of an employee certification doesn’t need to be complex and it shouldn’t require that your customers understand all the minutia of the credentials. Simply stating why the certification is respectable and valuable can foster a sense of trust and reputability.
Encouraging And Attracting Exemplary Employees
When an organization develops a reputation for valuing employees with exceptional professional skills and credentials, it can be a draw for job seekers who want to know their contributions will matter and their place of employment reflects positively on them.
Organizations that enable their employees to acquire relevant certifications through up-skilling programs, tuition reimbursement, and simple measures that support employees as they meet certification criteria are also attractive places to work. The ability to learn and excel while also performing a job is a strong incentive for workers in just about any industry.
Individuals who are committed to expanding their expertise and growing as professionals are no small asset to any organization. By facilitating paths to industry certifications, there are multiple and mutual benefits for both employee and employer.
FAQs
1. What are types of professional certifications?
Professional certifications are numerous, but generally, they apply to a product or service, a profession or industry, or an individual. Certifications are usually granted after an evaluating body certifies that specific criteria are met and maintained, such as through a safety inspection or testing of one’s professional abilities.
2. Do certifications matter to customers?
Industry certifications matter to customers when they are put in the context of how that certification amounts to a better purchase, such as through a certified safety process. Certifications also matter a great deal to customers when they are required to contract or purchase from a certified provider.
3. How can a company share news of an industry certification?
A company can and should share news of an industry certification by including the information on its website and social media pages, as well as in relevant advertising and marketing content. Issuing a press release is an example of how to effectively share the news of a recently acquired certification or to recognize an employee that receives an industry certification.