Industry Certification Guidance

PSA: Stop reposting yet another list of free online courses. 𝐒𝐭𝐚𝐫𝐭 𝐮𝐧𝐝𝐞𝐫𝐬𝐭𝐚𝐧𝐝𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐡𝐨𝐰 𝐭𝐨 𝐚𝐜𝐭𝐮𝐚𝐥𝐥𝐲 𝐜𝐡𝐨𝐨𝐬𝐞 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐫𝐢𝐠𝐡𝐭 𝐨𝐧𝐞 𝐟𝐨𝐫 𝐲𝐨𝐮. You already know that there's thousands of online courses on Coursera, LinkedIn Learning, Udemy, Google Certificates, e-Latih, and National Training Week. But not all courses are created equal. Some give you career-ready skills, projects you can showcase, or industry-recognised credentials. Others just take up space in your resume. Here’s how to choose the right one that actually boosts your career: 1️⃣ Start with your goals and check out the competition. Are you aiming to upskill in your current role or pivot to a new industry? What courses are experienced professionals in the industry 𝐚𝐥𝐫𝐞𝐚𝐝𝐲 𝐭𝐚𝐤𝐢𝐧𝐠? This will narrow the field immediately. 2️⃣ Check credibility - who’s delivering the course? A practitioner with industry experience, or an academic with theory? Both have value, but on your CV, the instructor’s credibility can make all the difference. 3️⃣ Review course outcomes. Will you walk away with practical skills, a portfolio-worthy project, or just theoretical concepts? Match this against what you actually need right now. 4️⃣ Understand the difference between Certificates and Certifications. Certificates = proof of completion (e.g., “I took the course and learnt something”). Certification = industry-recognised credential, usually exam-based (e.g., PMP, Lean Six Sigma). These require more effort but 𝐜𝐚𝐫𝐫𝐲 𝐦𝐨𝐫𝐞 𝐰𝐞𝐢𝐠𝐡𝐭 𝐢𝐧 𝐡𝐢𝐫𝐢𝐧𝐠. 💡 FAQ: 𝐐1: 𝐒𝐡𝐨𝐮𝐥𝐝 𝐈 𝐚𝐥𝐰𝐚𝐲𝐬 𝐠𝐨 𝐟𝐨𝐫 𝐭𝐡𝐞 “𝐛𝐢𝐠 𝐧𝐚𝐦𝐞” 𝐩𝐥𝐚𝐭𝐟𝐨𝐫𝐦𝐬? Not necessarily. Big platforms can offer credibility, but niche platforms or independent instructors sometimes provide more depth and practical know-how. 𝐐2: 𝐅𝐫𝐞𝐞 𝐯𝐬. 𝐏𝐚𝐢𝐝 - 𝐝𝐨𝐞𝐬 𝐢𝐭 𝐦𝐚𝐭𝐭𝐞𝐫? Paid courses often provide structure, assignments, and support. But free courses are great for exploration or building foundational knowledge. If you have $$, opt for paid, if not, free is fine. 𝐐3: 𝐇𝐨𝐰 𝐝𝐨 𝐈 𝐚𝐯𝐨𝐢𝐝 𝐰𝐚𝐬𝐭𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐦𝐨𝐧𝐞𝐲? Always check the syllabus, learning outcomes, and refund policy before enrolling. If the course doesn’t align with your career aims, skip it. Now, from a recruiter’s perspective, I can tell you this - when we see a CV, we don’t just look at the number of courses you’ve taken. We think: ✔️ Is this course or certification aligned with role we're hiring for? ✔️ Can they apply what they learned, or is it just theory? ✔️ Does their CV share a story of competence, not just completion? A mix of both in the same field = a sign of seriousness about growth. Good luck, all! ––––––– Let’s connect — I share career tips & opportunities > Sharifah Hani Yasmin Kindly repost ♻️ for your network! #YasminShares

Although some people use certificate and certification interchangeably, all DEI certification programs are NOT the same. For one, some programs are actually certificates. Certificates are great when the facilitator is skilled and they offer curriculum that you can use. The focus is on completing a continuing education or training course with a reputable organization or university. Certification, on the other hand, demonstrates competence. Like all credentialing processes, there is a rigorous exam that is valid, reliable, and legally defensible. The assessment also applies professional standards and adheres to certification industry best practices. For example: 1. Unlike a certificate course, where anyone can take the class and everyone passes it, there are experience requirements before you can get certified. IDC's certification requires a passing score of 73.0% for the CDP® credential and 74.0% for the CDE® credential. Also, all candidates must submit a professional work that is peer reviewed and approved. 2. Certification programs confer a credential to illustrate that its designees are skilled and qualified. While there are many organizations that appear to use the DEI industry-recognized CDP and CDE for their programs, IDC owns the trademark and Designees or Approved Providers distinguish themselves with the Registered ® symbol. 3. As a member of the Institute for Credentialing Excellence, IDC's global certification process is research-driven and up-to-date-- utilizing the latest terms, data, best practices, and strategies. Candidates demonstrate proficiency in understanding the nuances of global demographics, cultures, and laws in relation to the next generation workplace and marketplace. 4. DEI-industry Subject Matter Experts (SMEs) developed IDC's exam and curriculum-- not a trainer. Since 2009, more than one hundred SME's from around the world have contributed to our biennial updating process. 5. The exam is arranged by domains, while the curriculum is organized by competency. From scenarios that you will face as a DEI leader to a deeper-dive into complex concepts, the content is designed to ensure that DEI leaders are equipped to move the needle forward. 6. After certification Candidates complete the assessments, they are expected to maintain competence with Continuing Education Units (CEUs). This is another use for certificate programs. 7. IDC's extensive peer and professional support system ensures that we deliver valuable technical assistance before, during, and after certification to ensure that DEI leaders around the world are ready for success. IDC is required to represent itself truthfully and does not seek to confuse the industry. There is a purpose for every type of DEI educational program. The reason why we're the #1 certification provider is because employers can trust our professional qualification process and system. Learn more at: https://lnkd.in/eWjt7xg

Certifications Every Quality Professional Should Consider 🔥 In today’s competitive and compliance-driven environment, certifications are not just credentials—they are a professional necessity for Quality Professionals across industries. Here’s a structured guide to some of the most valuable certifications categorized by specialization: 🔍 1. Auditing & Quality Systems 📌 Certification Bodies: IRCA, ASQ, Exemplar Global 📄 Popular Courses: Lead Auditor (ISO 9001, 14001, 45001, etc.) ASQ CQA (Certified Quality Auditor) 👤 Ideal For: QA professionals managing audits & systems across industries. 🛠 2. Welding Inspection 📌 Certification Bodies: AWS, TWI, BINDT 📄 Popular Certifications: CSWIP, CWI 👷♂️ Ideal For: Welding and Quality Inspectors in Oil & Gas, Construction. 🧪 3. NDT (Non-Destructive Testing) 📌 Certification Bodies: ASNT, BINDT, TWI 📄 Popular Levels: Level I, II, III (UT, RT, MT, PT, etc.) 👤 Ideal For: NDT professionals ensuring structural integrity in critical sectors. 🏗 4. API Certifications 📌 Certification Body: American Petroleum Institute (API) 📄 Popular Courses: API 510 (Pressure Vessel Inspector) API 570 (Piping Inspector) API 653, API 580, SIFE, etc. 👤 Ideal For: Plant inspection, QA/QC engineers in oil, gas & petrochemical sectors. 🎯 5. Lean Six Sigma 📌 Certification Bodies: ASQ, IASSC, etc. 📄 Popular Belts: Yellow, Green, Black 👤 Ideal For: Professionals in Quality & Process Improvement. 🎨 6. Coating & Insulation 📌 Certification Bodies: AMPP, BGAS, ICORR 📄 Popular Courses: NACE Level 1/2/3 BGAS-CSWIP 👤 Ideal For: Coating, insulation and corrosion control professionals. ⚡ 7. ATEX Certifications 📌 Certification Body: ATEX Notified Bodies (e.g., TÜV, DNV) 📄 Focus: Electrical, Instrumentation, Hazardous Areas 👤 Ideal For: E&I QA/QC, Construction professionals working in explosive environments. 📊 8. ASQ Quality Certifications 📌 Certification Body: ASQ 📄 Popular Certifications: CMQ/OE (Manager of Quality/Organizational Excellence) CQE (Certified Quality Engineer) CQA, CSSBB, etc. 👤 Ideal For: Leadership roles and system-oriented professionals. 🏅 9. CQI Memberships (UK Based) 📌 Certification Body: CQI – Chartered Quality Institute 📄 Membership Grades: PCQI (Practitioner) MCQI (Member) FCQI (Fellow) 👤 Ideal For: Long-term professional growth and recognition in the quality field. 💡 Whether you're a QA/QC Engineer, a Lead Auditor, or a Process Improvement Expert, the right certifications can: Elevate your credibility Open global opportunities Enhance your technical depth 🔗 Let me know if you need help choosing or preparing for any of these certifications! == Follow me at Govind Tiwari,PhD #Quality #Certifications #LeanSixSigma #CompEx #API #NDT #WeldingInspector #LeadAuditor #ASQ #CQI #GovindTiwariPhD #QAQC #ContinuousImprovement #CareerDevelopment

If I am a job applicant for an #AI role, then I must understand how my potential employer will assess the quality of my certification. I asked Deepseek for a structured method to assess the training quality of #AI in Singapore. Here are the key findings : 1. Verify Certifications Against National and Industry Standards. - Check SSG/WSQ certification and accreditation : eg. A WSQ Advanced Certificate in AI should align with IMDA’s AI Governance Framework. - Look for Global Certifications with Local Recognition: Certifications from vendors like AWS, Microsoft, or Google (e.g., AWS Certified Machine Learning Specialist) are globally recognized and often co-delivered by SSG-approved ATOs. 2. Assess the Training Provider’s Reputation. - Prioritize Institutes of Higher Learning (IHLs): Certifications from NUS, NTU, SMU, SIT, or Singapore Polytechnic are rigorously benchmarked and often involve industry partnerships (e.g., AI Singapore’s AI Apprenticeship Programme) - Check SSG’s ATO List: Training providers like Lithan, IN4IT, or Temasek Polytechnic are SSG-accredited and audited for quality. Avoid “pop-up” academies with no track record. - Industry Partnerships: Programs partnered with tech giants (e.g., IBM, NVIDIA) or IMDA’s [TechSkills Accelerator (TeSA)] are more likely to meet industry standards. It is a good start to understand how a knowledge-based subject is being validated in your employment system. The above is based on Singapore ecosystem. You can try asking #deepseek on other subject matters roles. Based on this video, we are moving into agentic AI phase soon, what's the impact on our jobs??? #paulinea

Certificate and Certification are two words that people confuse a lot, particularly on LinkedIn 😃 But knowing the difference can make or break your career strategy. If you're a data professional, you've likely come across the terms certificate and certification and maybe even confused them. Let’s break it down so you know where to focus your energy: 1. Issuing Authority and Recognition •➤ 𝐂𝐞𝐫𝐭𝐢𝐟𝐢𝐜𝐚𝐭𝐞: Usually issued by an educational institution or training provider after completing a course. It confirms that you’ve learned specific knowledge or skills.
↳ Example: A certificate for completing an Excel or SQL course. •➤ 𝐂𝐞𝐫𝐭𝐢𝐟𝐢𝐜𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧: Granted by a recognized authority (like Microsoft or AWS) after you meet certain criteria, such as passing an exam or demonstrating hands-on expertise.
↳ Example: Microsoft Power BI Certification or AWS Data Analytics Specialty. 2. Scope and Duration •➤ 𝐂𝐞𝐫𝐭𝐢𝐟𝐢𝐜𝐚𝐭𝐞: Focuses on a specific skill or topic and typically doesn’t require ongoing renewal.
↳ Example: A 3-month certificate program in data visualization. •➤ 𝐂𝐞𝐫𝐭𝐢𝐟𝐢𝐜𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧: Broader and more career-focused, often requiring recertification to maintain relevance.
↳ Example: A Tableau Desktop Specialist certification that showcases industry-standard knowledge. 3. Career Impact •➤ 𝐂𝐞𝐫𝐭𝐢𝐟𝐢𝐜𝐚𝐭𝐞: Enhances your skills and can help boost your resume, but it’s often just a stepping stone.
↳ Example: A certificate in Python can show you're learning, but it may not make you stand out. •➤ 𝐂𝐞𝐫𝐭𝐢𝐟𝐢𝐜𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧: Holds more weight in the industry, signaling expertise and sometimes serving as a job requirement.
↳ Example: Google Data Analytics Professional Certification. Certificates can help you build foundational knowledge, but certifications can validate expertise and significantly impact your career. Certificates say, “I’m learning!” while certifications shout, “I know my stuff, and I can prove it!” If you’re in the data space, start with certificates to build foundational skills, but don’t stop there. Certifications are where the magic happens they validate your expertise and open doors to better roles. 📍 Focus on acquiring practical skills first, then pursue certifications that align with your career goals. 📍 So before you dive into your next “Certificate of Completion,” ask yourself: Am I collecting badges or building a career? P.S. If you’re still debating whether to start with Excel or SQL in 2025, don’t overthink it just pick one and start learning. Your future self will thank you. ❓ Have you pursued any certificates or certifications recently? Let’s discuss in the comments! If you found this useful, consider reposting ♻️ If you’re looking for more Data tips, follow me ❤️ #dataanalyst #abimbolaarowolo #certificates