Employers demand certifications but few young workers are pursuing them

The gap between what employers need and what young workers hold is widening, and the data is unambiguous.

Ninety-two per cent of organisations require or strongly prioritise professional certification as part of their workforce strategy, according to a global survey of 505 IT and human resources leaders conducted by Pearson across the US, UK, China, Brazil, Mexico, Saudi Arabia and India, published in April 2025.

Yet a separate survey of more than 1,000 US students found only 27% are actively pursuing those credentials – a disconnect that researchers and industry leaders say is placing significant pressure on hiring pipelines across design, engineering, construction, manufacturing and the skilled trades.

The Pearson report found 78% of employers identified professional certification as their leading upskilling investment, and 93% reported a positive return on investment from certified employees, tied directly to performance and retention outcomes.

Certification gap sharpest in AI and emerging tech

The largest skills shortfalls are concentrated in artificial intelligence, machine learning, cybersecurity and cloud computing, according to Pearson. Art Valentine, president of Pearson Assessment and Qualification, said employers overwhelmingly view certification as the most reliable way to build and validate the skills their teams need, and expect those credentials to carry even greater weight as AI continues to reshape roles across industries.

AI-related job listings across architecture, engineering, construction, manufacturing and design grew nearly two and a half times over two years, according to analysis of more than four million global job postings conducted by research firm GlobalData for Autodesk's second annual AI Jobs Report, released in 2025. Design has become the most in-demand skill in AI hiring, while human skills such as communication and leadership now rank ahead of coding in employer requirements.em

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