How Agile Training and Certification Insulate Your Company from the Global Tech Talent Shortage

The global tech talent shortage is a well-documented and well-known phenomenon at this point. Companies of all shapes and sizes in every industry are feeling the pinch, and it’s becoming a real problem for many.

For a more general discussion on this topic, watch our free webinar, 5 Ways to Overcome the Global Tech Talent Shortage.

Fortunately, companies are not powerless in the face of this growing problem. Several strategies can effectively mitigate the risks and help insulate organizations against the tech talent shortage. But, action is vital.

Below, we’ll focus on one specific strategy—Agile training and certification—that can have a profound impact on your organization’s ability to weather the storm while maintaining a competitive edge.

Three ways Agile training and certification insulate your company from the tech talent shortage

Agile training—whether in-person or remote, using pre-prepared courses or customized curriculum—can do wonders for your existing team members. Certification courses are also extremely valuable, whether specific to role, tool, or practice. Here are three specific ways these solutions can help:

1. Keeps current team members up-to-date and at the top of their game

Stating the obvious, investing in training will improve the quality of work produced by the team, assuming it’s targeted specifically to gaps in their current skill sets and knowledge. That translates to higher productivity, less waste, and greater value delivered to the customer.

Some examples of effective Agile training courses that can fill this need include:

Certification courses can help polish and legitimize specific skills needed to effectively carry out roles and responsibilities, get the most out of software solutions the team needs, and master larger elements of the Agile practice. The result is not just a more educated team, but a group that’s in a far better position to help lead future change initiatives and reach strategic objectives.

Some examples of Agile certification courses include:

There’s no argument against maintaining a workforce that is consistently up-to-date on best practices and the latest technologies. Supporting ongoing education and upskilling your teams enhances their careers, their output, and your bottom line. And, it insulates your organization against the global tech talent shortage because the talent you have is giving 110%.

2. Supports cross-functional teams and identifies fillable gaps

In addition to the more obvious benefits described above, a strategic training program helps ensure all team members are on the same page when it comes to how the organization approaches different types of work, utilizes software solutions, and pursues business objectives.

For example, consider the following training options:

One of the key tenets of Agility is the development and support of cross-functional teams since team members who can take on various roles and activities as needed are better able to pivot as needed to respond to changing requirements. Training in these broader areas can ensure that team members can cross over into various roles or disciplines without rocking the boat or creating undue disruption.

Additionally, broader team- or department-wide training initiatives can help team leaders and facilitators identify gaps in the team’s current knowledge and skill levels. When that happens, it can inform future investments in either team or individual enrichment and upskilling programs.

The result is a better-educated team with the right skills to support organizational objectives as efficiently and effectively as possible. It will unify and strengthen everyone’s efforts and eliminate unnecessary confusion and waste. So, you’re getting more out of your optimal existing team, and have less need for new talent.

3. Promotes a learning culture and creates an appealing environment for current and outside talent

Finally, investing in Agile training and certification has a positive impact on the working environment itself.

Research.com reports that “39% of employees in the U.S. consider the potential for growth as a contributor to employee satisfaction (Levanon et al., 2019).” And that “94% of employees would stay longer in companies that are willing to invest in their professional development (LinkedIn, 2018).

This makes sense. Employees want to know they’re making a difference, and they want to work for a company that values their contribution. A robust training and development program goes a long way to tell your employees, “We don’t just care about your eight hours today, we care about your career and we care about YOU.”

This is especially important in the IT fields where the job market has grown so incredibly competitive. While salary and benefits are still important—and your investment in talent has likely never been higher—they are not the only factors tech professionals are looking for as they make career decisions. Everything else being equal (or close), a company that’s proven it cares about its employees and their career advancement will enjoy an easier time finding, hiring, and retaining great tech talent.

How can Agile training and certification help your organization?

So, can Agile training and certification make a difference to your organization? We think the answer is pretty obvious. They can only benefit every organization that wants to effectively compete in the current market and maintain an edge despite the global tech talent shortage.

Cprime trainers have helped more than 350,000 students gain the skills and insight they needed to add tremendous value within their organizations and enhance their careers. Contact one of our training experts today to discuss which premade courses, certification programs, or customized training experiences will work best for your unique situation.

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Chris Knotts, Innovation Product Director
Chris Knotts, Innovation Product Director