Business trend-watchers, take note:  Participation in professional credential programs continues to rise.

According to the Wall Street Journal’s 4/1/10 article, Exam Time: More Firms Are Requiring Test-Taking, registrations have jumped dramatically for certifications in areas including project management, human resources, technology and process efficiency.  This echoes a trend we have noticed here at DataWorks: significant increases in demand for every training program that we manage for customers.  The graphs below show 2007 – 2010 class attendance and online test volume for three of the manufacturing companies whose contractor training programs we administer.  Since 2007, Company A’s online test volume has increased 30%, Company B’s average seminar attendance has increased 41%, and Company C’s average attendance at its advanced training classes has more than doubled.

This is an exciting trend because it has such a positive and far-reaching impact.  Consider the example of contractors and other professionals in the building trades.  Contractors who attain professional credentials can compete better when jobs are scarce, can bid for larger or more complex jobs when times are good, and can command higher rates for their work.  As an added bonus, some credentials are gateways to other income-increasing activities such as the ability to sell extended warranties, or inclusion on a manufacturer’s online contractor locator.

Manufacturing companies who depend on skilled contractors to sell and install their products have responded to the increased demand for training by adding classes, providing training in more locations, switching to facilities that can accommodate larger numbers of attendees, and creating online training functions.  They are rewarded in turn by an increased comfort and skill level by those who sell and install their products.  The end result is more sales, better installations, and happier end-users.

Everyone wins when people are trained to do their jobs well!

DataWorks provides a suite of logistical support services for professional training programs.  We send invitations – take registrations – send confirmations – ship materials to class locations – send premiums and followup materials to attendees – tabulate feedback data, and more … and we do it all on time.  Let us take care of the details so that you can focus on training your audience.  Review the DataWorks credential programs page for more information, and contact us if you would like help managing your professional training programs.

Tags: Data Analysis, Lehigh Valley, Meeting Support Services, Professional Credential Programs, Professional Training Programs