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The Credentialing Crisis: Why the World Needs More Certified Professionals

Written by Ashley Carlson | Apr 7, 2025 1:30:43 PM

Across industries, certifications are a trusted benchmark of knowledge, safety, and competency. They ensure professionals meet industry standards, uphold public safety, and demonstrate expertise. But today, a growing gap between certification requirements and the number of certified professionals is contributing to a shortage in the workforce. This affects some of our most critical sectors—from healthcare and skilled trades to finance and IT—and has significant economic implications if unaddressed.

The Certification Gap: What’s Driving the Shortage?

Healthcare. Workforce talent challenges loom large, with more than half of health system executives (57%) expecting talent shortages and workforce challenges to impact their organization’s strategy in 2024 (Deloitte, 2024). An aging population, rising patient volumes, and credentialing bottlenecks only magnify this urgency.

IT & Cybersecurity. According to the 2024 ISC2 Cybersecurity Workforce Study, 67% of organizations reported a staffing shortage last year (ISC2, 2024). Layoffs and budget cuts have worsened the situation, with respondents citing worker shortages as their top challenge over the past 12 months—and a primary concern for the next two years. Despite a modest 0.1% increase in the global cybersecurity workforce—buoyed by growth in the Middle East, Africa, and Asia-Pacific—the overall gap jumped 19.1% to 4,763,963 unfilled positions.

Skilled Trades. The shortage of skilled trades professionals has been growing for years, fueled by an aging workforce and fewer young entrants pursuing trade careers. According to Associated Builders and Contractors (ABC), the U.S. construction industry needs over half a million additional workers in 2023 to meet labor demand (ABC, 2023). While many trades offer pathways to certification through apprenticeships and technical programs, limited funding and uneven access to these programs contribute to persistent labor gaps.

Why Aren’t More People Getting Certified?

  1. Cost & Accessibility
    Many professionals can’t afford certification fees, coursework, or renewal costs. Employers that offer sponsorships often see higher certification rates and more stable staffing. Scholarships or grants targeting certification fees can also open these career pathways to underrepresented groups.

  2. Inefficient, Outdated Systems
    Credentialing processes frequently rely on manual, paper-intensive workflows, discouraging candidates from completing lengthy steps. Modern, digital-first solutions—such as Clarus, BrightLink’s credential management system—streamline this process, enabling organizations to focus on effectively training professionals rather than drowning in paperwork.

  3. Lack of Awareness
    Many job seekers fail to realize that earning a recognized credential can significantly increase salaries, career mobility, and job security. Integrating credential pathways into secondary education, workforce development, and corporate upskilling programs can close this gap.

Why Employers Should  Care & Take Action

  1. Longer Hiring Cycles & Delayed Projects
    When positions requiring certifications remain open for months, businesses struggle to maintain operations and advance new initiatives. A proactive approach can reduce time-to-hire: sponsor certification programs (covering fees or offering stipends for coursework) and incorporate skill-based assessments in recruiting. These strategies help attract and quickly identify credentialed candidates, keeping projects on track.

  2. Higher Training Costs & Overextended Teams
    Skill shortages often force employers to invest heavily in training uncertified hires or pay overtime to existing staff, leading to burnout and turnover. Building formal apprenticeship pathways in partnership with credentialing bodies can streamline real-world learning while ensuring employees earn industry-recognized certifications. Additionally, structured mentorship programs—pairing senior, certified professionals with junior staff—foster knowledge transfer and reduce the financial burden of upskilling.

  3. Compliance & Safety Risks
    In heavily regulated industries like healthcare, construction, or cybersecurity, operating without properly certified staff increases the risk of accidents, legal liabilities, and reputational damage. Streamlining hiring processes for credentialed professionals is crucial: offer competitive benefits, reduce bureaucratic barriers, and ensure mandatory certification checks are built into job requirements. Regular policy audits also help maintain compliance standards and avoid costly penalties.

  4. Building a Sustainable Talent Pipeline
    Chronic shortages of certified talent can slow innovation and leave businesses vulnerable to competitive pressures. To future-proof staffing, partner with educational institutions—such as trade schools, universities, or specialized training programs—to align curricula with industry needs. Embracing technologies like remote proctoring and AI-driven exam prep makes it easier for current and prospective employees to achieve certifications, regardless of location. Over time, these investments create a steady flow of credentialed professionals who can step into critical roles.

Final Thoughts: Certification is the Future of Work

Industries that modernize credentialing pathways stand to stay competitive and meet evolving demands. By removing financial, procedural, and awareness-related barriers, organizations can build a more capable and resilient workforce. Whether it’s ensuring hospitals are staffed with qualified workers or filling cybersecurity roles to protect critical systems, investing in certification is a strategic imperative that will shape the future of work.

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