CERTIFICATIONS vs. SELF-ASSESSMENTS (my considerations, despite everything)
Introduction
Organizations are increasingly interested in evaluating their competence preservation processes against an assessment framework, and audit, certification, and self-assessment are hot topics in this area. It is worth taking a moment to consider the difference between a self-assessment exercise and an audit.
Audit and certification are formal processes commonly carried out and delivered by external service providers. They are often time-consuming experiences with exacting requirements, designed to demonstrate to an external audience that a particular standard is being met.
Self-assessment is a precursor to, or alternative to, a full audit. It is typically conducted by staff within the organization, and the results are usually of greatest value to the organization itself rather than to an external audience.
Self-assessments can be particularly useful in identifying practices that are underdeveloped and require improvement, especially if an organization is considering pursuing full audit and certification at a later date.
My personal point-out
Having one or more certifications sounds pretty sensible in today’s world, doesn’t it? Many jobs require proof that you’ve mastered a particular technology. But is the argument for spending a lot of time and money to earn a certification as ironclad as it seems?
I’d argue “not necessarily,” and here’s why.
TLC Moves Too Fast
If you’re attempting to master a subject or industry whose fundamentals don’t change much—medicine and civil engineering come to mind—a test (or a series of tests) is a good way of verifying that you have the knowledge necessary to operate within that sphere.
But TLC is different. It evolves quickly, and knowledge that’s relevant today can seem hopelessly outdated sooner than you think. Let me pose a hypothetical: say you needed a certificate to develop Wireless Solutions. Your shiny certificates would probably be outdated every two or three years, as wireless technology producers continuously roll out new versions of hardware and software products.
“We’re now only recruiting 3G/4G-certified experts with XYZ certificates,” a hypothetical job interviewer might say about your hypothetical qualifications, “and by the end of next quarter, that requirement will change to 5G XYZ certificates only.”
Yes, I’m exaggerating for effect, but the principle holds: the evolution of technology makes many certificates obsolete pretty quickly, with some exceptions, of course.
The Certifiers Are… Who?
In theory, anyone can set up a certification business: create a few online tests, charge for taking an online course, spend a little on marketing, and you’re ready to issue certificates. But what can online tests really verify?
I’m a bit cynical about technical tests that demand exact knowledge of syntax, for example. Such tests only assess a small part of what technicians actually do, and with the increasing sophistication of equipment, I’d bet that many technicians rely on automation and other tools to complete the bulk of their work. For instance, LTE BTSs require scripts to define all parameters during commissioning and before the integration phase, and many functions are protected by licenses and certificates. I certainly haven’t manually set more than a few parameters myself.
Employers Don’t Really Care
Recruiters sometimes have trouble determining a technician’s level of technical experience, and so they insist on certificates or tests to evaluate abilities. If you manage to get past them to the job interview, the interviewer (provided they’re also a technician) can usually get a good sense of your actual technical skills and whether you’ll fit well with the team.
My personal experience - and I don’t think I’m alone by a long shot - is that employers just want someone who can do the job and fit in. Most don’t care if you have a certificate.
It’s a Rip-Off
A few years ago, a headhunter strongly suggested that I become a XYZMaster. While the underlying principles of XYZ seem sound, there’s a whole certification-related ecosystem that seems designed solely to extract money for training and certificates.
It’s one thing to choose to pay for training; it’s another to be forced to pay for it.
And if you’re forced to pay, it’s hard not to think that the certification’s entire purpose is to generate profit.
It Only Proves You Can Pass Tests
Certificates are only as good as the people who create the certification tests. I’ve taken a few online tests and, despite being highly experienced in TLC, there is a set of online tests that are so syntax-oriented that I have never scored more than forty percent on them. I doubt anyone knows XYZ BTS parameters to the depth required by these tests; passing them would only show that you know a narrow segment of this product, not that you can use it in a real-world context.
Conclusion
I’m obviously not a fan of formal certifications, although I have achieved some of them.
While many jobs require one or more, plenty of technical experts have built perfectly fine careers without them.
Don’t let the complicated world of certificates stop you from pursuing what you want.
Certification these days seems to be a method by which recruiters screen candidates and businesses promote their services.
Working within some TLC companies, I see numerous “certified” people who don’t actually have the first clue what they are doing. You speak to them, and they list certification after certification but have little in the way of practical experience. I admit there are some exceptions to the rule.
Unfortunately, until the people responsible for recruitment start to understand this, I feel certification is here to stay.
I’m a big fan of merit. I don’t have a university degree. I just have a nice high school diploma (for those of you into etymology, “diploma” refers to a folded piece of paper).
And my diploma didn’t give me the skills; it didn’t prepare me for my first job.
I acquired my competencies by working. I’m in this industry because it rewards merit above all. I think the current certification programs threaten that.