Since WordPress’s popularity started skyrocketing around 2013, there’s been talk about official certification.
There is no “official” WordPress certification. Several WordPress courses offer a certificate of completion, but that’s very different from certification.
What Is Certification in the Tech Industry?
Certification is a credential that verifies an individual’s knowledge and skills in a specific area of expertise.
It is a third-party validation that an individual has achieved a certain level of proficiency in a particular field or technology.
In the technology industry, certifications are commonly used to demonstrate knowledge and expertise in software or technology.
My first introduction to certification was back in 1998 when I sat exams for Lotus Notes and Domino, a platform emerging as dominant within the UK financial services industry.
The certification was new, and I was the first person in Scotland to obtain a clean sweep of all available.Â
Future WordPress Certification
The WordPress certification discussion has bubbled up again with community contributor Hugh Lashbrooke‘s post on make.wordpress, Exploring WordPress Certifications.
Hugh started a discussion around three topics:
- What benefits would certifications provide?
- What would be some effective ways to use certifications in the WordPress space?
- What potential pitfalls need to be kept in mind should we proceed?
It’s not a huge discussion, and many people said similar things.
Here’s a summary of the discussions on each topic and my thoughts on the matter.
What Benefits Would Certifications Provide?
Some believe certifications could provide a standardised measure of knowledge and skills for individuals working with WordPress.
This could make it easier for employers to evaluate job candidates and for freelancers to demonstrate their expertise to clients.
Certifications provide a framework for professional development and encourage individuals to pursue ongoing learning and skills development.
Additionally, certifications help promote best practices and establish a baseline of knowledge for WordPress professionals, which helps maintain a high-quality level in the WordPress community.
My thoughts are that WordPress certifications would help the industry as a whole.
Those looking to hire could confidently hire a WordPress professional knowing they have a baseline level of knowledge, according to their certification level.
The WordPress professional would have clarity on the goals and knowledge needed to achieve a certain level of certification.
Note: industry expertise is no substitute for a bit of paper.
What Would Be Some Effective Ways To Use Certifications in the WordPress Space?
There were no explicit discussions regarding effective ways to use certifications in the WordPress space.
However, some participants suggested that if WordPress were to introduce certifications, they should be accessible and affordable to everyone.
Additionally, it was suggested that the certification should be focused on practical skills rather than theoretical knowledge.
Some participants also expressed the need for a rigorous testing process to ensure the quality of the certification.
I agree that certification should be focused on practical skills rather than theoretical knowledge. Certified WordPress professionals should be able to demonstrate their skills rather than just provide answers to pass an exam.
What Potential Pitfalls Need To Be Kept in Mind Should We Proceed?
The main views expressed by people regarding potential pitfalls of WordPress certifications are:
- Some people are concerned that certifications could become a “pay-to-play” system, where only those who can afford the exams or training could get certified.
- Others worry that certifications could create a culture of box-ticking, where people focus solely on passing exams rather than developing practical skills and experience.
- Some people also point out that WordPress is a constantly evolving platform, so certifications could quickly become outdated and lose value.
- There are concerns that certifications could create an unnecessary barrier to entry for people who want to work with WordPress but don’t have the time or money to get certified.
- Finally, some people worry that certifications could be misused by unscrupulous employers who use them as a way to justify paying people less or as a substitute for real-world experience.
I agree with all of these pitfalls. Certification, while useful for those hiring, can create a barrier for those wanting to get into WordPress development and design.
Look how much WordPress has changed in the past few years with the Block Editor and Full Site Editing.
If certification were to go ahead, I don’t have clarity on how to stop it being quickly outdated versus having to recertify for every major product change.
Discussion Summary
Overall, the discussion focused more on whether WordPress should introduce certifications and their potential benefits and pitfalls rather than on effectively using them in the WordPress space.
What About Me?
I’m leaning towards not adopting an official WordPress certification process.
I can understand it’s appealing to those hiring WordPress professionals. However, there are too many pitfalls and possible barriers to entry for those within the space.
Why should somebody have to pay $500 or more to obtain a certification? What if they cannot afford the price of certification?
I’ve been involved in WordPress since 2006, and I don’t need a bit of paper to prove my knowledge and understanding of WordPress. I can point customers to my website or community engagement.
I can’t even get my head around what certification levels will be needed, who should decide this and the examination questions and pricing. 🤯
Getting the whole community involved is the best starting point.
I’d love to know where you stand. Let me know your thoughts on WordPress certification.
Talk later,
Wil.