For decades, the traditional path to a solid career included some form of university credential; these are now being viewed as primarily the costliest means to career success, but perhaps not necessarily the only pathway. Time is expensive in today's fast-paced job market, and providers of education are rapidly shifting toward certifications and skill-based training, leaving traditional degrees as anything but the preferred application of academic credentials. Employers are rethinking the value of academic and vocational credentials, placing greater emphasis on work-based experience and technical skills. As a result, our future workforce may become increasingly flexible, pragmatic, and outcome-focused, rather than relying on any single objective form of credential or degree. New benchmarks for career pathways suggest that lucrative and fulfilling job opportunities can be found within vocational pathways, not solely through traditional degrees. New implications are quickly being introduced due to short-term certifications, micro-credentials, and vocational pathways for students to achieve new standards of employability. Compared to a lower cost, flexible options offer learners a more project-based way to attain and upgrade their skills, and the possibility and availability of jobs often do not come with a 4 to 6-year wait or a crushing student loan bill at the end of it.
3 Reasons why Certifications are on the Rise
1. Industry-Relevant and Job-Ready
Employers today seek job candidates who can quickly integrate into their roles. Industry certifications can be tailored for specific sectors, including healthcare, IT, logistics, community services, and more. While degrees emphasize theory, certifications frequently offer hands-on learning experiences and practical, on-the-job exposure.
According to a LinkedIn Workplace Learning Report, 94% of employees say they would stay at a company longer if it invested in their learning and development. Certifications can help cultivate this growth mindset.
2. Speed, Cost, and Woolworths have blue flexibility
Normally, certifications require weeks, not years, and are truly cost-effective, available via online learning, technical colleges, and registered training organizations (RTOs). This makes it possible for career changers, parent re-entrants, or entry-level workers to up-skill without having to stop their lives.
3. Employer Demand
Employers focus on skills more than a degree in a variety of industries. Tech giants like Google, IBM, and Apple have publicly stated they no longer require a university education for countless types of roles. Why? Because they focus on skills, experience, and project portfolios.
SkilTrak: A Link Between Certification and Career
One major innovator changing the certification-to-career pipeline is SkilTrak, which is a platform for student placements and work-based training. It was founded with the mission of connecting education and industry and partners with registered training organisations (RTOs) and industries across Australia, ensuring students complete their certificates and gain real-world experience in the workplace.
How does SkilTrak work?
• Placement Matching: Students enrolled in certified programs receive partner employer placements per their course requirements and career aspirations.
• Progress Tracking: SkilTrak creates live tracking for educators and students, helping to ensure a streamlined workplace-based training (WBT).
• Support and Mentoring: SkilTrak offers end-to-end placement support from onboarding processes to workplace-based training, industry reporting.
While degrees remain important in fields like medicine or law, certifications are a better option for many careers that are focused on specific technical, digital, or service-based skills. But most importantly, certifications allow learners to be nimble and react quickly to industry change.
Who Benefits Most from Certifications?
1. Early Career Starters
For those who may not have the financial resources or opportunities to attend university, industry-based certifications, in areas such as aged care, hospitality, digital marketing, or IT support, will help launch their careers.
2. Career Changers
Those already employed and seeking a career change often employ certifications to gain very specific and niche skills in industries such as cybersecurity, data analytics, or cloud computing, which are experiencing unprecedented growth.
3. Students in RTOs
Students who study vocational qualifications through Registered Training Organisations (RTOs) will realise the power of certifications, particularly those combined with learning support platforms such a SkilTrak, to help them transition from classroom to career.
Industries Thriving with Certifications
• Allied Health
Aged care, mental health, disability support, and allied health assistance certifications are already highly sought after, and SkilTrak works with healthcare providers to get students into real career pathways in clinical environments.
• Tech and IT
Cybersecurity, software testing, UX design, and cloud computing certifications are available and fast-track people into the growing tech sector in Australia.
• Logistics and Warehousing
The ability to obtain a short-term certification or plug into a SkilTrak placement allows entry into roles in supply chain operations, warehouse coordination, and forklift operations.
• Childcare and Community Services
Certifications in early childhood education and community welfare also provide immediate entry into meaningful social occupation pathways, and SkilTrak can facilitate placements.
The Emergence of Micro-Credentials and Digital Badges
It's safe to say that the digital evolution of education has meant micro-credentials, badges, and stackable certificates for learners who want and need to customise their educational journey. You could start with a short course on digital literacy, then proceed to a certificate in project management, and then someone could put the cherry on the top with a specialisation in Agile- all of this could have taken place without ever going to university.
Global Trends: What the data says
• A study from the World Economic Forum predicts that half of all employees will need to be reskilled by 2025.
• 76% of employers think job-specific training is more relevant than a university degree (IBM Skills Survey).
• There is over a 60% increase in demand for short courses and certificates following the pandemic.
SkilTrak and The Future Workforce:
As the gig economy continues to grow and AI transforms different sectors, the demand for individuals who have demonstrated certified, work-ready skills will surely continue to increase. SkilTrak is uniquely preparing the future workforce by ensuring students are not only awarded a piece of paper but have gained real experience, developed industry connections, and are job-ready from day one.
Through SkilTrak's placement model, learners are:
• More quickly connected with employers
• Instructed in real-world environments
• Monitored for performance and progression
• Supported throughout their skill attainment process
This is the skills-first learner approach that industries are asking for.
Conclusion: Time to Say Goodbye to the Degree?
Not quite yet. There will always be a place for academic degrees, graduates, and post-graduate degrees, especially in certain academic or regulated sectors. However, in many career paths, particularly in these fast-paced industries, certifications provide a quicker, cheaper, and more relevant pathway to career success.
The future will be in a hybrid career development ecosystem with niche certifications, relevant hands-on experience, and employer placements through platforms like SkilTrak. Whether you are starting your first career, switching careers, or upgrading your employability skills, now is the time to look at certification rather than convention.
