The Perceived Influence of Industry-Sponsored Credentials on the Recruitment Process in the Information Technology Industry: Employer and Employee Perspectives

Abstract

Worker credentialing and certification have become increasingly important issues in the delivery of secondary and postsecondary career and technical education (CTE). Since the early 1990s, industry credentials and certification have increased in visibility with a substantial jump in the number of credentials available and the number of people seeking certification (Carter, 2005). Industry-sponsored credentials and certification are now well established in a diverse range of fields and occupations including information technology (IT), automotive service, building trades, health care, and hospitality. The increase in the number of certifications offered and their growing attraction to both employers and employees have created a "parallel universe of postsecondary credentials" (Adelman, 2000, p.1) operating alongside, and sometimes competing with, more traditional postsecondary education qualifications.