Employers Use IT Certification to Close High‑Risk Skills Gaps and Gain Competitive Advantage, Pearson Study Finds

HOBOKEN, N.J. – April 22, 2026 – Organisations facing persistent IT and AI skills gaps are increasingly turning to professional certification as a core workforce strategy and are seeing measurable business returns, according to a new report from Pearson (FTSE: PSON.L). 

Pearson’s 2026 Value of IT Certification Employer Report finds employers prioritise upskilling to close skills gaps, with 78% choosing professional certification as the leading upskilling investment. This focus on validated skills reflects a broader understanding that AI creates the most value when paired with a workforce equipped to use it effectively.

The largest skills gaps are found in high-risk, high-impact areas such as AI, machine learning, cybersecurity, and cloud computing. Employers don’t expect the pressure to ease: 9 in 10 leaders believe certifications will be more important over the next 3–5 years. Employees echo this sentiment with 84% planning to pursue additional certifications in the next 12 months.

The report also finds that employers estimate an average of USD $17,646 in additional annual value for every certified IT employee, rising to nearly USD $20,000 in IT workforces that are fully equipped with up‑to‑date skills. That value is reflected in outcomes employers track closely, including employee performance and retention, cost savings, issue‑resolution time, and customer satisfaction.

Additional findings from the report: 

• 93% of employers report a positive return on investment from certified IT employees.
• 92% of organisations require or strongly prioritise certification as part of their workforce strategy.
• Organisations that require certification, versus those that do not, report greater competitive advantage (70% vs. 57%), and are more successful at closing skills gaps (65% vs 56%). 
• Of organisations reporting IT skills gaps, 60% say those gaps had a significant business impact in the past year.  

“Employers overwhelmingly value certification as a way to build and validate the skills their IT teams need today, and they expect those credentials to matter even more as AI and other technologies continue to reshape roles,” said Art Valentine, President of Pearson Assessments and Qualifications. “But our research shows that employers see the benefits of certification extending well beyond skills development alone, highlighting its growing importance as a broader workforce investment.”

Organisations report that supporting and investing in IT certification contributes to multiple business outcomes:  

• 66% report efficient and reliable IT operations 
• 65% cite overall IT team performance 
• 64% see successful project completion 
• 63% accelerate technology adoption 
• 62% strengthen competitive advantage and talent attraction 
• 59% improve employee retention 

Together, the findings in Pearson’s 2026 Value of IT Certification Employer Report make a strong case for certification’s growing strategic importance, helping employers build stronger teams and realise broader business benefits, while giving employees clearer pathways to grow, demonstrate their skills, and prepare for what’s next.  

“The value organisations realise from AI and other advanced technologies ultimately depends on the skills of the people applying them. Certification helps ensure their workforce is prepared to unlock that value,” concluded Valentine.

About the report 

The 2026 Value of IT Certification Employer Report is the tenth edition in Pearson’s ongoing research series examining the business and workforce impact of professional certification. The study is based on surveys of 505 IT and HR leaders across the United States, United Kingdom, China, Brazil, Mexico, Saudi Arabia, and India, supported by qualitative interviews with senior IT executives. It builds on the 2025 Value of IT Certification Candidate Report to provide a comprehensive view of how certification creates value for both employers and employees.