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Generative AI Skills & Soft Skills | LearnKey 2026 Edge

Professional developing generative AI skills and soft skills through online certification training
Generative AI skills, soft skills, and online learning mastery create a competitive edge in 2026.

Competitive Edge in 2026: Learning Generative AI, Developing Soft Skills, and now more than ever, learn how to Learn Online.

In today’s world, Industry certifications show employers you have real, validated skills—not just experience. When paired with career-ready skills like communication, adaptability, AI, and accountability, they help you stand out, stay competitive, and step into opportunities with confidence.

The future belongs to people with excellent soft skills and strong practical AI knowledge.  That is why LearnKey invested in our LIFT UP Professional Development Series, which is perfect for online learning and complements certification-based training. Two parts focus on Leading Myself and Leading Others. Ideal for both developing leaders and experts/SMEs.

Here is the reality sixty-six (66) percent of hiring leaders said they would not hire someone without generative AI skills. And, entry-level jobs aren’t disappearing. People still need a way into the workforce. If you learn these skills, then thanks to AI, you can enter with high-level technical capabilities and low-level soft skills, unless you intentionally develop them.

That is why you just need to shift your focus.  That means building the skills that will differentiate you: clear communication, taking initiative, Team collaboration, a Strong work ethic, critical thinking, and some level of experience in basic project management.

Why Soft Skills Drive Career Advancement

Soft skills are not “nice-to-have” traits. They are performance multipliers.Research from Harvard and the Carnegie Foundation suggests that up to 85% of career success can be attributed to interpersonal and professional skills, while only 15% is linked directly to technical knowledge.

Hard skills get attention. Certifications validate competence. But in 2026 and beyond, the true competitive edge belongs to those who combine soft skills, professional development, and the ability to learn efficiently online.
The Most Overlooked Skill: Learning How to Learn Online
Online education is now the dominant delivery method for:
  • Industry certifications
  • Corporate training
  • Career transitions
  • Workforce reskilling
  • Continuing education
Yet most individuals were never taught how to succeed in online learning environments. Traditional classrooms provide structure externally. Online learning requires structure internally. Learning how to learn online includes:
  • Setting structured study schedules
  • Blocking distractions
  • Practicing active recall
  • Reviewing strategically
  • Managing digital tools efficiently
  • Holding yourself accountable
According to research cited by Engageli (2025), active digital learning environments significantly increase engagement and knowledge retention compared to passive learning.
Online learning mastery builds self-discipline. That self-discipline directly transfers into workplace productivity.
Learning Agility Is the New Job Security
Job security no longer comes from tenure. It comes from adaptability. Learning agility means:
  • Quickly acquiring new skills
  • Applying feedback effectively
  • Embracing new technologies
  • Remaining curious
  • Staying comfortable with change
As AI tools evolve, job roles will shift. Entire functions will transform. The professionals who succeed will not be those who resist change. They will be those who embrace continuous learning.
Trust me when I say this, at LearnKey, we have learned that in the most exciting way because for the last ten (10) years, LearnKey’s employability team has placed or assisted 100% of our students who complete their programs. With, on average, over 100 placements a year in the past five (5) years. To do that in the new world, learning AI and having professional soft skills is the perfect mix for meaningful employment.

LearnKey’s New Interactive Glossary Elevates Active Learning and Student Outcomes

LearnKey interactive glossary supporting active online learning and student success
LearnKey’s Interactive Glossary enhances active learning and improves student outcomes.

Digital education continues to evolve rapidly, but one truth has become increasingly clear: interactive online learning produces stronger student outcomes than passive consumption of content. As learners demand more engaging, efficient, and practical educational experiences, organizations that embed active learning tools into their course ecosystems gain a measurable advantage. This is exactly where LearnKey is raising the bar with the launch of its new Interactive Glossary.

LearnKey’s Interactive Glossary is more than a reference tool. It is a strategic learning asset designed to reinforce comprehension, accelerate retention, and reduce cognitive friction for learners navigating technical, certification-aligned content. When paired with LearnKey’s video-based instruction and delivered through the GMetrix platform, the glossary becomes a powerful catalyst for active learning, skill mastery, and exam readiness.
Why Active Learning Matters More Than Ever
Active learning shifts learners from passive recipients of information to active participants in the learning process. Instead of simply watching or reading content, students interact with material, apply concepts in context, and reinforce understanding through immediate engagement.
Recent research strongly supports this approach: according to the Journal of Language and Literature Studies, students participating in online Word Search, Word wall, Crossword, and Scramble activities for vocabulary learning saw an 83% improvement in vocabulary skills and improved assessment outcomes.
These statistics reinforce a growing consensus in education and workforce development that learning experiences that integrate interaction, reinforcement, and contextual clarity produce better results. LearnKey’s Interactive Glossary directly aligns with these principles by embedding active learning into the moment a learner encounters unfamiliar or complex terminology.
The Challenge of Technical Language in Online Learning
One of the most persistent barriers in online education, particularly in IT, business, and certification-driven training, is the burden of terminology. Learners often encounter dense vocabulary, acronyms, and industry-specific language that interrupts learning momentum.
When students must pause instructions to search externally for definitions, several negative outcomes occur:
  • Cognitive flow is broken.
  • Context is lost
  • Frustration increases
  • Engagement drops
Over time, these interruptions can compound, leading to lower completion rates and weaker learning outcomes. LearnKey’s Interactive Glossary was intentionally designed to solve this problem by keeping learners inside the learning environment while reinforcing comprehension in real time.
What Makes LearnKey’s Interactive Glossary Different
LearnKey’s Interactive Glossary is a centralized, dynamic learning resource that allows students to explore key terms, definitions, and concepts directly aligned with their coursework. Rather than serving as a static dictionary, it functions as an active reinforcement tool embedded within the broader instructional experience.
Key features include:
  • Clear, learner-friendly definitions
  • Industry-aligned terminology
  • Certification-relevant language
  • Consistent instructional tone across courses
By eliminating the need for external searches and reducing ambiguity, the glossary supports immediate understanding and reinforces long-term retention.
Active Learning in Action: Vocabulary as a Learning Accelerator
Vocabulary mastery is foundational to learning, especially in technical disciplines. When students understand the language of a subject, they can more effectively apply concepts, follow instructions, and perform on assessments.
The Interactive Glossary transforms vocabulary from a passive reference into an active learning accelerator by:
  • Reinforcing terminology at the point of need
  • Supporting contextual understanding
  • Reducing cognitive load
  • Encouraging repeated exposure through use
This approach aligns with active learning research, which shows that frequent, contextual reinforcement improves both recall and the application of knowledge. Students are not just memorizing definitions; they are integrating language into their conceptual framework as they learn.
The Measurable Impact on Student Outcomes
Active learning tools like LearnKey’s Interactive Glossary contribute directly to improved educational outcomes. When learners experience fewer interruptions and clearer understanding, the results are tangible:
  • Higher course completion rates
  • Improved confidence in navigating complex topics
  • Stronger assessment performance
  • Better exam readiness
Also, the study referenced earlier in the journal and language literature reinforces this point. Active online learning environments consistently show improvements in engagement and performance, particularly in online and hybrid formats. LearnKey’s interactive glossary operationalizes these findings by embedding interactivity directly into the learner journey.
Strengthening Exam Readiness on the GMetrix Platform
LearnKey’s partnership with GMetrix further amplifies the value of the Interactive Glossary. GMetrix is widely recognized for its performance-based practice exams and certification preparation tools. LearnKey courses delivered through the GMetrix platform benefit from a cohesive learning ecosystem that aligns instruction, practice, and terminology.
Within this environment, the Interactive Glossary supports learners by:
  • Aligning vocabulary with exam objectives
  • Clarifying technical terms used in practice tests
  • Reducing exam anxiety caused by unfamiliar language
  • Improving comprehension during scenario-based questions
For certification candidates, this integration can make the difference between partial understanding and confident mastery.
Value Creation for Students
From the learner’s perspective, the Interactive Glossary delivers immediate and long-term value. Students benefit from a smoother learning experience, stronger comprehension, and greater confidence as they progress through coursework.
Key student benefits include:
  • Faster understanding of complex concepts
  • Reduced frustration and cognitive overload
  • Increased engagement with the course material
  • Higher likelihood of exam success
For adult learners, career changers, and certification candidates, time efficiency matters. Tools that streamline learning without sacrificing depth are essential, and LearnKey’s glossary directly supports this need.
Strategic Value for LearnKey
Beyond student outcomes, the Interactive Glossary represents a strategic investment in LearnKey’s instructional quality and competitive positioning. As online education becomes increasingly crowded, differentiation through instructional design excellence is critical.
The glossary enhances LearnKey’s value proposition by:
  • Demonstrating commitment to evidence-based learning design
  • Improving learner satisfaction and outcomes
  • Supporting partner platforms like GMetrix
  • Strengthening LearnKey’s reputation for high-quality content
By embedding active learning principles directly into course infrastructure, LearnKey reinforces its role as a forward-thinking education provider focused on real-world results.
Just as LearnKey launched their employabilityhub.ai, which features AI Agents that help students gain employability skills while interacting with AI, their team will always be focused on the best online student experience for learning and gaining employability skills.
Aligning with the Future of Online Learning
The future of online education is interactive, learner-centered, and outcomes-driven. Static content alone is no longer sufficient. Learners expect experiences that adapt to their needs, support comprehension, and respect their time.
LearnKey’s Interactive Glossary reflects this shift. It is not an add-on; it is a foundational component of a modern learning ecosystem designed to maximize engagement and performance.

When paired with research-backed active learning strategies and delivered through robust platforms like GMetrix, the glossary becomes a clear example of how thoughtful design translates into measurable impact.

Conclusion: A Simple Feature with a Big Impact
At first glance, an interactive glossary may seem like a simple feature. In practice, it plays a critical role in transforming how learners engage with content, retain information, and succeed in certification-aligned programs.
By launching the Interactive Glossary, LearnKey has taken a meaningful step toward operationalizing active learning research and delivering tangible benefits to students and partners alike. The result is a more cohesive, efficient, and effective learning experience that supports both immediate understanding and long-term success.
As active learning continues to shape the future of education, tools like LearnKey’s Interactive Glossary will not just enhance courses; they will define the standard for high-impact online learning.

EmployabilityHub.AI: The First-of-Its-Kind AI-Enabled Employability Resource Transforming Career Exploration

AI employability resource helping students explore careers, build resumes, and prepare for interviews using EmployabilityHub.AI
EmployabilityHub.AI is coming soon—an AI employability resource designed to help students explore careers and prepare for better jobs.

AI Employability Resource Coming Soon | EmployabilityHub.AI

As the workforce evolves rapidly, students need more than training—they need clear guidance and intelligent support to successfully navigate today’s job market. LearnKey has built a reputation for employability through certification and coaching. Now, we’re introducing EmployabilityHub.AI—a new AI-driven platform that transforms how students explore careers and prepare for real jobs.

 

EmployabilityHub.AI is coming soon. It will be the first of its kind—a fully integrated AI-powered tool for career discovery, resume optimization, and interview readiness, all within the OnlineExpert LMS. This resource marks a breakthrough, pairing LearnKey’s employability approach with artificial intelligence to offer students a smarter, more intuitive way to plan their careers. As highlighted in a recent NACE article on AI-powered career and life design, artificial intelligence is rapidly becoming a transformative tool for helping students explore identity, evaluate pathways, and create meaningful professional journeys. EmployabilityHub.AI builds on these trends.

Why AI Is Reshaping Career Exploration for Students?

According to industry experts, AI has emerged as a powerful tool for career design because it helps students do three critical things more effectively:
  1. Reflect on their strengths and interests
  2. Discover opportunities they didn’t know existed
  3. Connect their skills to real careers and real qualifications
Career exploration is no longer about random guessing online. AI systems empower students to understand themselves, analyze their potential, and receive personalized career suggestions from data-driven insights. These platforms enable learners to explore different identities, consider diverse futures, and design educational experiences aligned with real possibilities. This is the foundation of EmployabilityHub.AI.
Our AI-based tools help students map their strengths to job pathways, identify transferable skills, and receive personalized guidance as they advance through LearnKey’s certification programs. For students who feel overwhelmed, uncertain, or are exploring options for the first time, this can be life-changing.
Introducing EmployabilityHub.AI: Smarter Tools. Stronger Skills. Better Jobs.
EmployabilityHub.AI will give LearnKey students exclusive access to three groundbreaking AI-powered employability tools—each built to simplify and personalize their journey from education to employment.
1. Strength-Based Career Finder (AI-Powered)
Career exploration becomes easier and more accurate when AI helps students reflect on their interests, strengths, and natural tendencies.
This tool will allow students to:
  • Discover career paths aligned with their personality and training.
  • See how their chosen LearnKey program connects to in-demand roles.
  • View job titles and skill requirements curated specifically for them.
  • Explore new possibilities based on strengths—not guesswork.
AI helps students see more job options, understand their choices, and feel more confident picking a direction.
2. AI Resume Editor & LinkedIn Optimization Tool
Once a student identifies their career goals, they need a polished professional presence that accurately reflects their abilities.
LearnKey’s AI resume tool will:
  • Write, rewrite, or refine resumes using clean, modern formatting.
  • Optimize wording for applicant tracking systems.
  • Highlight strengths, certifications, and job-aligned skills.
  • Assist with LinkedIn profile summaries, headlines, and skills lists.
This is especially valuable for students entering the workforce for the first time or pivoting careers. Instead of struggling with resume templates or outdated advice, they receive AI-driven guidance that reflects current employer expectations.
3. Mock Interview Pro – AI Interview Simulation
Interview anxiety is real, but practice makes a difference. LearnKey’s AI interview simulator helps by providing:
  • Behavioral, situational, and technical interview practice
  • Real-time coaching and suggestions
  • Tailored interview questions based on target job roles
  • Feedback on clarity, structure, tone, and confidence
Students can practice interviewing anytime. This helps build comfort and competence before speaking with real employers.
Enhancing Student Success Through AI + Human Support
One key insight from the NACE article is that AI should support, not replace, human guidance. Students still need structure, coaching, and accountability. AI speeds up self-discovery and preparation, while educators and coaches help students reflect, process, and apply insights.EmployabilityHub.AI is built on this exact philosophy. Students will continue to get personalized help from LearnKey’s Employability Team, including resume reviews, LinkedIn guidance, career advising, and mock interviews. The new AI tools make this process faster by offering students quick feedback, more control, and more chances to practice before meeting with coaches. This approach creates a holistic employability ecosystem that blends expert support with advanced technology.
Why EmployabilityHub.AI Is a First-of-Its-Kind Resource
No non-degree-granting proprietary institution in our sector currently offers an AI employability platform that fully integrates career exploration, resume building, interview practice, and workforce readiness inside their LMS, like EmployabilityHub.AI.
EmployabilityHub.AI stands out because it:
  • Integrates directly with LearnKey’s training pathways and certifications
  • Combines career discovery with real-world job preparation
  • Uses AI to personalize each student’s experience
  • Reinforces soft skills and professional behavior development
  • Prepares students to use AI responsibly—an essential workplace skill.
  • Creates faster clarity and more confidence for new job seekers
How AI Improves Student Agency and Confidence
Research shows students feel more confident when they can try out future jobs, not just read static advice. AI offers quick chats and instant tips so students can improve their choices as they go.
EmployabilityHub.AI improves student agency by allowing them to:
  • Explore multiple professional identities.
  • Receive high-quality feedback without waiting.
  • Practice interviews whenever they want.
  • Build resumes that feel polished and professional.
  • Understand the job market more clearly.
  • Take ownership of their career journey.

This sense of agency is a proven driver of better job outcomes.

Preparing Students for a Future Where AI Is Everywhere
EmployabilityHub.AI doesn’t just teach students how to look for jobs. It also teaches them how to use AI as a job skill.
Employers increasingly expect new hires to be comfortable using AI for:
  • Problem-solving
  • Communication
  • Research
  • Productivity
  • Resume tailoring
  • Project analysis
By using AI often in EmployabilityHub.AI, students get real practice they can use at work.
This turns LearnKey graduates into stronger candidates—trained in both industry certifications and AI-empowered professional skills.

Value of Industry Certifications | LearnKey Training Programs

Value of Industry Certifications for Career Advancement
LearnKey is demonstrating the value of industry certifications for student career growth

2026 Spotlight: The Value of Industry Certifications in Today’s Skills-Based Economy

In today’s fast-changing workforce, the value of industry certifications has never been more critical. As technology evolves faster than traditional education can keep pace, employers are increasingly relying on certification programs to validate fundamental skills and identify job-ready candidates. For learners, especially high school graduates, young adults, and career changers, industry certifications offer a direct and trusted path into high-demand careers. This trend is expected to continue in 2026, as the value of skills-based certifications is on the rise.

At LearnKey, our mission is to deliver world-class training that helps people achieve industry-recognized certifications and the opportunities that come with them. In 2025, our blog content primarily focused on preparing learners for certification-based roles in over twenty different certification pathways. This emphasis reflects a powerful trend shaping the global workforce: certifications are becoming essential currency in the job market.

This article explores why industry certifications matter, how they help close the skills gap, and how LearnKey’s long-standing partnership with Certiport empowers young adults to gain the certifications they need to succeed.

Industry Certifications Are Now a Core Part of Career Success

The rise of skills-based hiring is reshaping the employment landscape. Companies are placing less weight on traditional degrees and more weight on verified competencies, especially in technology-driven roles. Industry certifications provide a reliable means for employers to verify that an applicant has acquired the necessary skills for a particular position.

This shift became a significant theme in LearnKey’s 2025 blog posts. Whether we were discussing IT support roles, cybersecurity pathways, QuickBooks Online Version 4, Adobe design skills, or our broader Upskill Academy programs, the message was consistent: certifications are becoming the foundation of modern career development.

Industry certifications offer several significant advantages:

1. Certifications Prove Real Skills

Unlike degrees, which can vary widely in curriculum and instruction, certifications are standardized. A Microsoft Office Specialist certification means the same thing whether earned in Utah, India, Brazil, or the UK. Employers trust these credentials because they are measurable, repeatable, and verified through an examination.

2. Certifications Shorten the Path to Employability

Many young adults lack the time or financial resources to pursue multi-year education programs. Certifications provide a faster route—weeks or months, rather than years—to job readiness.

3. Certifications Boost Earning Potential

Across fields such as IT, accounting, cybersecurity, and design, certified workers often earn significantly more than their non-certified peers. In 2025, LearnKey highlighted multiple student success stories and new pathway updates showing how certifications led to promotions, salary increases, and career transitions.

4. Certifications Build Confidence

For many learners, especially those entering the workforce for the first time, earning a certification creates a sense of accomplishment and momentum. It signals that they belong in professional environments and are capable of achieving more.

The Youth Skills Gap Makes Certifications Essential

To understand the growing urgency behind certifications, it is essential to examine the broader labor landscape. Pearson VUE, parent company of Certiport, recently published a powerful article titled “Empowering Young People to Bridge the Skills Gap.”

The article highlights a global truth:

Young people no longer feel adequately prepared for the workforce, and employers are increasingly uncertain about their ability to hire effectively.

Several factors drive this widening gap:

  • Technology is advancing at a pace that schools can’t always keep up with.
  • Employers want hands-on skills, not just theoretical knowledge.
  • Many students graduate without exposure to real-world tools and workflows.
  • Economic pressures demand faster, more flexible ways to gain skills.

Industry certifications are emerging as one of the most effective solutions.

 Why Certifications Close the Skills Gap

Pearson VUE’s research indicates that young adults are increasingly seeking training that directly connects to job opportunities. Certifications support that by:

  • Providing structured skill development
  • Offering automated feedback through practice tools (like GMetrix)
  • Aligning with real workforce needs
  • Building digital and technical readiness
  • Giving learners globally recognized proof of what they can do

This aligns perfectly with LearnKey’s 2025 blog series on certification-focused pathways. Whether discussing IT Support Specialist roles, cybersecurity technician training, or QuickBooks proficiency, our message has remained consistent: certifications help learners bridge the gap between education and employment.

The LearnKey + Certiport Partnership: A Timeline of Impact

LearnKey’s commitment to helping students earn industry certifications goes back decades, but a key milestone occurred in 2016. That year, LearnKey announced its partnership with GMetrix and Certiport, a Pearson Vue-owned company known for its industry-leading performance-based testing tools. The announcement marked the beginning of a productive collaboration focused on helping students and workforce learners prepare and pass Certiport exams.

This partnership created significant advantages:

1. Integration of Practice Exams with Course Training

Learners using LearnKey courses gained access to GMetrix practice tests, which allowed them to prepare for the real certification exam in an environment that felt authentic and familiar.

2. Better Outcomes Through Realistic Readiness

Practice tests simulate actual exam conditions, helping students understand the timing, question formats, and skills-based tasks they will encounter during the actual exam.

3. Expansion of Certification Offerings

The partnership helped LearnKey expand into key Certiport credentials, including:

  • Microsoft Office Specialist (MOS)
  • QuickBooks Online
  • Adobe Certified Professional
  • IC3 Digital Literacy
  • IT Specialist certifications
  • Autodesk certifications
4. Scaled Access for Schools and Workforce Programs

Together, LearnKey and Certiport have empowered thousands of learners, especially young adults, to acquire digital, business, and technical skills, as well as certifications.

This partnership continues to evolve, remaining one of the strongest foundations of LearnKey’s impact on the global workforce.

Certifications in LearnKey’s 2025 Blog Themes

LearnKey’s 2025 blogs repeatedly emphasized the importance of certification-centered learning. Several themes emerged across the year:

1. Career Pathways Built Around Certifications

LearnKey published updated guidance on IT support pathways, cybersecurity career steps, and business administration training—all of which incorporate certifications at each milestone.

2. Digital Literacy and Software Proficiency

Our 2025 blog posts highlighted training for QuickBooks Online Version 4, Microsoft Office apps, and Adobe Illustrator. These certifications help learners compete for administrative, accounting, graphic design, and office roles.

3. Job Readiness Through Cert Prep

Blogs published in 2025 discussed the importance of mock exams, skill-building exercises, and aligning training with national standards—all essential for passing certification exams.

4. The Role of Practice Testing

We highlighted the role of performance-based practice tools (including GMetrix) as essential for student success, particularly in MOS, Adobe, and QuickBooks certification prep.

5. Empowering First-Time Job Seekers

Several articles explored topics like communication, professionalism, and adaptability—critical soft skills that complement technical certifications.

These blogs formed the foundation of LearnKey’s workforce development message in 2025: certifications empower learners, create opportunities, and lead to hiring success.

Hiring managers know certified employees require less training and onboard faster, making them highly desirable

As we look forward, the value of industry certifications is expected to continue accelerating for several reasons.

Technology Will Never Slow Down

AI, automation, cybersecurity, cloud computing, and software ecosystems are advancing rapidly. Certifications will remain key for verifying up-to-date skills.

Skills-Based Hiring Is Here to Stay

More companies are adopting hiring models that prioritize skill demonstrations over formal degrees. Certifications fit perfectly into this shift.

Certifications Are Becoming Global Standards

Certiport, CompTIA, Adobe, Microsoft, and other leaders have made certifications truly global. A credential earned in one country is recognized worldwide.

Learners Want Faster, Flexible Education Options

Certifications provide structure without forcing learners into multi-year programs. This flexibility attracts career changers, students, and working adults alike.

Employers Use Certifications to Reduce Hiring Risk

Hiring managers know certified employees require less training and onboard faster, making them highly desirable.

How LearnKey Supports Students Through Certification Success

LearnKey’s certification training programs are designed to help students succeed from start to finish.

We focus on:

 1. Beginner-Friendly Lessons

Even complex concepts, such as networking, cybersecurity, or financial analysis, are broken down into simple modules.

2. Real Practice

With Interactive-based labs, hands-on activities, and GMetrix practice tests, students build fundamental skills.

3. Career Pathways

We provide students with recommended sequences of courses, strengthening their journey from first skill to their first job.

4. Employability Training

LearnKey’s workforce readiness resources help students prepare for interviews, create résumés, and develop soft skills.

5. Certification-Driven Course Design

Every course is aligned to an official exam blueprint, ensuring learners are prepared for exactly what they’ll see on test day.

Conclusion: Certifications Open Doors for Learners Everywhere

Industry certifications change lives. They help people launch new careers, earn higher wages, gain confidence, and stay relevant in an evolving workforce. LearnKey’s long-standing partnership with Certiport and GMetrix strengthens our ability to deliver top-quality certification preparation to learners worldwide. As reflected in our 2025 blogs and Pearson VUE’s research, certifications are essential tools for closing the skills gap and empowering young adults to succeed.

Whether someone is entering the workforce for the first time or preparing for a career change, certifications offer a clear, proven, and globally recognized pathway to opportunity.

Do Certifications Still Matter In a Post-Pandemic World?

Certified Image

In a word, yes. Though technology and markets have changed, and attitudes toward working at home vs. working in an office vs. working on an island with a satellite… OK, I’m getting carried away here, but certifications still matter. Our CEO, Jeff Coruccini, outlined this in a blog post at the beginning of the year, but let me add some statistics here about certifications themselves:

According to CompTIA, the certification body for A+, Network+, and Security+, three industry-leading certifications, 96 percent of human resource managers use IT certifications as part of the screening process for candidates. 96 percent; that’s 24 out of every 25 human resource managers. According to Coursera, 59 percent of cybersecurity jobs require at least one related certification.

But lest you think these percentages are limited to IT jobs, consider this. According to Indeed, 62 percent of those surveyed for QuickBooks positions indicated they got a higher starting salary because they obtained a QuickBooks certification. And let me share a personal anecdote. My first IT training full-time position was at a hospital. I had Microsoft Office Suite (MOS) certifications; those certifications put me at the high end of the starting salary range, a full 25% higher than if I had not obtained those certifications.

Certifications are more than proof that one has expertise in the certification earned. They also prove several characteristics that make for an outstanding employee:

  • A willingness to learn, often in a very compact amount of time
  • The ability to study and research
  • The fortitude to finish a project from start to finish
  • The ability to succeed on a task after not succeeding. In this context, that would mean retaking an exam if one does not pass on the first attempt (it happens to the best of us)

So, which IT certifications are most important for those starting an IT career? This article from Coursera lists the top 10 IT certifications in 2023, and we have courses for six of the top seven certifications on the list. If you are looking at an IT career path and have not started the journey of obtaining any certifications, consider this an invitation to do so. I’ll be rooting for your success down your chosen path.

2020-21 Career Pathways Update

Hello, everyone. At the beginning of each year we set internal goals and one of my goals is to set the course order and career pathways we will pursue the coming year. Inevitably, demands and priorities change, and so do exam objectives for courses we plan on filming seemingly right before filming, but I digress.

One adjustment we have had to make is to update career tracks to reflect the ever-evolving Microsoft certification transitions from fundamental certifications to role-based certifications. The theory behind this is that certifications are more valuable when tied to a certain job role rather than just a cursory knowledge of a system. Personally, I think it is a great idea as this allows for those pursuing certifications to better target the areas of expertise they want.

That said, one of the main reasons for this career pathways adjustment, besides the fact that cloud computing is growing rapidly, is that as of January 31, 2021, all fundamental exams are being retired. This includes all exams starting with 70- and all MB- exams (for Microsoft Dynamics) as well.

With that said, allow me to present to you the highlights of all the career pathway changes:

NEW: Cloud Administrator

  • Exams: Azure Fundamentals (AZ-900), Azure Administrator (AZ-104), and Azure Security Engineer (AZ-500)
  • This is replacing Windows Server 2012 MCSA (exams 70-410, 70-411, and 70-412)
  • Reason: Microsoft is pushing Azure, its cloud infrastructure, heavily and the adoption rate is picking up speed

UPDATED: Programming

  • Exams: Oracle Java Associate (1ZO-808), Flutter Certified Application Developer (AFD-200), and Azure Solutions Developer (AZ-204)
  • These are replacing the soon-to-be-retired Microsoft programming exams (70-480, 70-483, and 70-486)
  • This is a much “wider” track in that we have one general certification (Java), one for mobile app development (Flutter), and one for cloud (Azure)

NEW: Artificial Intelligence

  • Exams: Azure Fundamentals (AZ-900), Azure AI Fundamentals (AI-900), and Designing and Implementing an Azure AI Solution (AI-100)
  • According to LinkedIn, 133 million jobs will touch AI-enabled automation by 2022

NEW: Database Professional

  • Exams: Azure Fundamentals (AZ-900), Azure Data Fundamentals (DP-900), and Designing and Implementing a Data Science Solution on Azure (DP-100)
  • This is an excellent track for someone looking to become a data analyst

NEW: Advanced Database Professional

  • Exams: Implementing an Azure Data Solution (DP-200), Designing an Azure Data Solution (DP-201), and Administering Relational Databases on Microsoft Azure (DP-300)
  • This basically replaces the MCSA for SQL Server

The timeframe for these tracks is from now to about 12 months from now for all of these and, per usual in the IT business, these are subject to change. But this should give you an idea as to how we are evolving our offerings to match with the best possible employability scenarios for you as you pursue your journey.

MTA Introduction to Programming Using JavaScript Released Today!

Today, we are excited to announce the release of our MTA Introduction to Programming Using JavaScript course.

MTA Introduction to Programming Using JavaScript (98-382)

The MTA Introduction to Programming Using JavaScript (98-382) course is an excellent course for those looking to gain valuable introductory JavaScript skills. Topics covered include: learning about JavaScript operators, keywords, and methods, using variables, data types, and functions, implementing decisions and loops, interacting with the DOM (Document Object Model), and interacting with forms. In all of these topics, students will clearly see how JavaScript is used to enhance existing webpages. Furthermore, this course covers the material on the MTA 98-382 exam, and will help anyone looking to improve their employability prospects in the areas of designing and building webpages.

Our hope is that through our courseware we may provide learners with the guidance, preparation, and skills they need to succeed. For more information and to learn about additional LearnKey products visit our website.

MTA Introduction to Programming Using Python Released Today!

Today, we are excited to announce the release of our MTA Introduction to Programming Using Python course.

MTA Introduction to Programming Using Python (98-381)

LearnKey’s MTA Introduction to Programming Using Python (98-381) course covers Python, a very versatile programming language which can be used to power websites, build games, and even program hardware. This course is also an excellent course for someone new to programming, as many of the topics covered are basic programming topics which carry over well to other programming languages. Specifically, this course covers data types and operators, decisions and loops, input and output, code documentation and structure, troubleshooting, and modules and tools. The course topics directly map to the MTA 98-381 exam and will help anyone looking to improve their employability prospects in Python and for programming jobs in general.

Our hope is that through our courseware we may provide learners with the guidance, preparation, and skills they need to succeed. For more information and to learn about additional LearnKey products visit our website.

Programming in C# Course Released!

Today, we are excited to announce the release of our Programming in C# course.

Programming in C# (70-483)

LearnKey’s Programming in C# course is geared toward those who have some programming experience and are looking to improve their employability prospects for jobs requiring intermediate C# knowledge. The course is also geared toward those looking to take and pass exam 70-483, a Microsoft Certified Professional-level exam. 70-483 is one exam that leads toward the MCSA: App Builder certification. Specifically, this C# course covers managing program flow, creating and using types, debugging applications, implementing security, and implementing data access.

Our hope is that through our courseware we may provide learners with the guidance, preparation, and skills they need to succeed. For more information and to learn about additional LearnKey products visit our website.

Animate CC Course and Workbook Released!

Today, we are excited to announce the release of our Animate CC course.

Animate CC

LearnKey’s Animate CC course covers topics such as, setting project requirements, understanding rich animated media, the Animate program, creating rich animated media content using Animate, and testing and publishing these documents. Mapped to cover the exam objectives for the Animate CC ACA exam, this course will improve the employability prospects for anyone looking for work requiring skills in developing rich animated media through Animate.

Our hope is that through our courseware we may provide learners with the guidance, preparation, and skills they need to succeed. For more information and to learn about additional LearnKey products visit our website.