Feature
Editor's Note: The article has been updated on Sept. 16, 2024 to include new data and information.
A learning and development certification is a great way for industry professionals to sharpen their skills. And the pressure's certainly on to be sharp in the workplace arenas of learning and development.
According to a LinkedIn report, most employees want their organizations to invest in their training. In fact, seven in 10 people say learning improves their sense of connection to their organization. And eight in 10 say learning adds purpose to their work.
We've gathered some learning and development certifications and ways to upskill to help L&D professionals keep up-to-date with these functions in the workplace. By no means is this an exhaustive list, but they're certainly investments to consider for your professional development.
How to Choose a Learning and Development Certification
With a multitude of courses and training programs available, it might feel impossible to narrow down the options and make the right choice. Whether you're a novice or a seasoned learning and development specialist, here's a guide on selecting the best learning and development certification tailored to your needs.
- Identify your career goals. Where do you envision your career in five or 10 years? As a training coordinator, corporate strategist, L&D consultant? Different learning and development certification courses cater to varied career aspirations. Mapping your goals will sharpen your focus and help you find certification programs that align.
- Research curriculum and content. Dive deep into the content of the learning and development certifications on your radar and ensure they incorporate the latest trends, methodologies, tools and approaches.
- Look at reputation and accreditation. Consider training programs for professional development that are recognized and accredited by notable L&D organizations. A globally recognized learning and development certificate not only enhances your resume but is more likely to ensure a quality education.
- Think about flexibility and mode of delivery. In today's world, flexibility is a must. Determine if you need a learning and development certification that offers online, hybrid of on-demand modules.
- Consider cost and return on investment (ROI). Compare the costs of various corporate training and development certification factors. Considerations should include course duration, resources provided, technical skills required, networking opportunities and potential salary increases post-certification.
- Look for testimonials. Dive into reviews and testimonials. Do people have mostly good things to say about the training programs?
- Opt for continuous support and engaging training programs over ones that just hand you a certificate and wave goodbye. The best L&D programs will provide continuous resources, updates about the field and opportunities for further learning. They'll also have an active and engaged alumni network that can open doors to networking opportunities, mentorship and job prospects.
Related Article: The Thing Employees Want Most From Your L&D Offerings? Peer-to-Peer Learning
9 Learning and Development Certification Programs to Consider
A number of certification programs exist that cover a range of core competencies, from performance management to ethical behavior to employee retention strategies.
To determine which learning programs might be the most useful to you, it could be helpful to first perform a skills gap analysis, analyzing which skills you still need to be successful in your role or desired role. Then, look for a program with training materials that address those skills.
Some of the most popular certification programs include:
1. Certified Professional in Training Management (CPTM)
The Certified Professional in Training Management (CPTM) is an internationally recognized certification that focuses on the skills and competencies of the training manager and aligning learning and development plans to the goals of the organization.
Rolf Bax, CMO at Career.io, recommends this corporate training certificate, which is meant for those who are interested in becoming employee training managers. It's full of the skills required for designing and managing training programs.
The course revolves around four key learning areas:
- Responsibilities of the training manager.
- Best practices to build a trained organization.
- Tool and models required for smarter training decisions.
- Tools and methods to deal with the regular training-related tasks.
"The certification will upskill the HR [human resources] professionals in a variety of fields and at every level of seniority,” Bax said. Besides training and human resource management, all the leaders of the organization and everyone working their best to produce high results can benefit from this certification, Bax added.
There is no prerequisite for this certification program, but you will get the certification only if you pass the final exam. The exam is about 100 multiple-choice questions, and you need to score a minimum of 70% to earn the certification.
2. Associate Professional in Talent Development (APTD)
The Associate Professional in Talent Development (APTD) is a corporate training program aimed at those who are early on in their professional L&D careers. It's focused on the core building blocks of the field, including communication, emotional intelligence, decision-making, collaboration, cultural awareness and more.
The typical APTD credential holder has three to five years of experience in talent development, and around 15% of candidates who've earned the APTD so far are in a management role, according to the Association for Talent Development.
Eligibility requirements for the Associate Professional in Talent Development include:
- Three years of paid, professional work experience with adults in the TD field or related discipline AND 28 hours of professional development in talent development content over the past three years OR
- Three years of paid, professional work experience with adults in the TD field or related discipline AND successful completion of any ATD Master Series Certificate within the past three years.
3. Certified Professional in Talent Development (CPTD)
The Certified Professional in Talent Development (CPTD) is another career advancement program offered by the Association for Talent Development. The certification is aimed at talent development professionals with at least five years of experience.
The CPTD covers the capabilities from the Talent Development Capability Model, such as:
- Project management
- Lifelong learning
- Compliance and ethical behavior
- Performance improvement
- Change management
- Instructional design
- Technology application
- Evaluating impact
To be eligible for the CPTD program, candidates must meet the following criteria:
- Five years of experience AND 60 hours of qualified professional development OR
- Four years of experience AND a current APTD credential OR
- Five years of experience AND completion of an ATD Masters Series certificate within the past five years.
Related Article: How to Get Your Upskilling Program Off the Ground
4. Project Management Professional (PMP)
A Project Management Professional (PMP) recognizes the ability to manage projects — something learning and development professionals are constantly doing — according to the Project Management Institute (PMI).
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PMP applications must have, according to PMI:
- A four-year degree
- 36 months leading projects
- 35 hours of project management education/training OR CAPM Certification
They could also meet these requirements as an alternative:
- A high school diploma OR an associate's degree (or global equivalent)
- 60 months leading projects
- 35 hours of project management education/training or CAPM Certification
PMP is usually pursued by people who have at least 10-plus years of industry experience, according to Neeraj Arya of PMExperto. "It is well accepted across the globe," he added. "Many companies recruit only PMP certified people for project management job roles."
“I may be biased here but PMP is definitely one of the best learning and development certifications,” said Praveen Malik, PMP, who helps prepare people for the PMP exam. “It is the most respected and most sought after professional certification in the world. It is awarded after passing a very tough exam. Only about 70,000 get certified in a year. Above everything else, the certification teaches gives you the best practices and current trends in project management. It adds value to your job, career and helps you to build a strong network."
5. Agile Certification for HR and L&D
The Agile for HR and Learning and Development certification from Training Industry is ideal for any HR or training and development professionals who want to bring agile methodologies into their practices.
People who finish this certification program will learn:
- Organization development techniques to support agile career journeys.
- How to embrace a growth mindset to encourage a strong learning culture.
- How to improve and align recruiting and onboarding processes.
- How to lead and direct change management initiatives to shift organizations from traditional to agile perspectives and operations.
This course's training delivery is live and online over the course of three five-hour days. There are no prerequisites to sign up for and complete the course, making it great for those looking to move further into their learning and development careers.
6. SHRM: Certified Professional (SHRM-CP)
The SHRM Certified Professional (SHRM-CP) program is for those pursuing a career in human resource management or those who perform HR-related duties at work. Those who wish to complete this program do not need a degree or previous HR experience.
The SHRM-CP exam assesses HR competency at the organizational level, looking at:
- The implementation of policies
- Supporting day-to-day HR functions
- Serving as an HR point of contact for staff and stakeholders
The final exam includes three different types of questions: HR-specific knowledge, situational judgment and leadership.
To be eligible for the SHRM-CP program:
- You must perform HR or HR-related duties or pursue a career in human resources
- Your current or most recent work in HR must be operational in nature
- Your HR duties tend to be specialized rather than generalized
7. Senior Professional in Human Resources (SPHR)
HCRI offers a Senior Professional in Human Resources (SPHR) among its many human resources-related certifications.
The SPHR certification in particular covers the following:
- Developing training, development management and employee retention strategies (modes of delivery, timing, content).
- Analyzing business needs to develop a succession plan for key roles (for example: identify talent, outline career progression, coaching and development).
- Developing and evaluating employee retention strategies and practices (for example: assessing talent developing career paths, managing job movement within the organization).
To be eligible for this certification program, HR professionals must meet one of the following conditions for education and experience:
- Have at least four years of experience in a professional-level HR position AND a Master's degree or higher.
- Have at least five years of experience in a professional-level HR position AND a Bachelor's degree.
- Have at least seven years of experience in a professional-level HR position AND a high school diploma.
8. Senior Certified Professional (SHRM-SCP)
The Senior Certified Professional (SHRM-SCP) certification is an advanced training and development course for HR professionals. SHRM recommends that HR leaders who develop strategies, analyze performance metrics and align HR strategies to organizational goals should go for the SHRM-SCP exam.
The development professional program covers topics such as:
- HR policies and procedures
- Leadership development
- Ethics in human resources
- Interpersonal competencies
- Employment law
- Diversity and inclusion in HR
Eligibility requirements for the certification program include:
- With less than a bachelor's degree, six years in an HR role in an HR-related program OR seven years in an HR role in a non-HR program.
- With a bachelor's degree, four years in an HR role if the degree is HR-related OR five years in an HR role for those with a non-HR-related degree.
- With a graduate degree, three years in an HR role if the degree is HR-related OR four years in an HR role for those with a non-HR-related degree.
9. Certified Learning and Development Professional (CLDP)
The Certified Learning and Development Professional course, offered through the Global Skill Development Council (GSDC), is a robust online learning course designed to help learners build strong expertise in the field of L&D.
The training sessions cover topics like:
- L&D core competencies and techniques.
- Modern adult learning methods.
- Designing comprehensive education for the learning journey and business alignment.
- Leadership development and management development programs.
- The digitization of learning and development.
- How to measure training effectiveness and evaluate training impact.
This certification program is a mix of on-demand videos and weekend live sessions, and those who sign up gain access for life. To earn the learning and development certificate, learners must pass a final exam and complete a capstone project where they will apply newly-learned skills to real-world scenarios.
According to GSDC, this certification is helpful for those who want to advance their career opportunities and stay on top of the competitive job market.
Related Article: The HR Technologist: Developing the Full-Stack Skillset
Expanding Opportunities With a Learning and Development Certificate
Continuous learning is a must in today's professional environment — and especially for those tasked with supporting the learning initiatives of their colleagues. The certification programs above provide crucial upskilling opportunities that can bolster effective training programs in-house, leading to a brighter outlook on individual careers as well as organizational performance.
Whether starting out or advancing in learning and development, the right certification can ensure your skills meet the demands of the modern — and future — workplace.
