Your career in Canada will soar with multiple certifications! You may boost your resume, attract employers more readily, and start down the path to a fulfilling and lucrative job in various industries with a quick training course.
There are well-paying certification programs available for those looking for their first job or seasoned professionals looking to expand their professional network.
In addition, certifications are available for employment in various sectors, including business, media arts, healthcare, and technology. With the ability to finish many of the most significant certifications in a year or less, you may put your talents to use in the paid employment sooner.
We have compiled some great certification options to get you into various rewarding careers as fresh out of high school, educated, and experienced professionals.
8 Standard In-demand Certifications by Career
IT Certifications
As the field grows, IT departments in Canada are always hiring. Since most IT positions require a solid technical background, education in the field is required.
The most common IT certification is the Certified Information Systems Security Professional (CISSP), recognized worldwide for IT security professionals. To obtain this certification, you must complete the following requirements:
- Complete a minimum of five years of full-time professional work in a related field
- Pay for and complete the CISSP training program
- Pass a written and practical exam
Once you get your CISSP certification, you can apply for various positions. Some common ones include an IT security operation specialist, IT security engineer, security administrator or security systems administrator.
Cosmetology Certifications
Cosmetology careers are always in demand, as are the services of estheticians, hair stylists, and make-up artists. Many excellent beauty schools in Canada can train students in one to two years, depending on the program.
Typically, a profession in cosmetology calls for the following:
- A high school diploma or GED
- A cosmetology certificate from an accredited school
- Passing a provincial or territorial cosmetology exam
Passing your exam and getting a certification in cosmetology can open up your career options. Cosmetology is a diverse industry, and professionals can work in entertainment, such as make-up artists or hair stylists for television, movies, or theater productions.
The traditional route may take cosmetologists to salons or spas, and many students also start their businesses.
Digital Marketing Certifications
Marketing is another popular industry in Canada, and digital marketing is exceptionally high in demand. To meet this demand, many well-known universities and colleges offer certificates in digital marketing.
The Canadian Marketing Association also offers online marketing certificate courses for Canadians in every province and territory. Each program has different requirements, but these are the most common ones:
- Register for the desired program
- Pay relevant fees to earn the certification
- Participate in online or in-person courses and pass the necessary assessments
Digital marketing certifications typically take six months to one year to complete. Once you have the certificate, you can apply for various roles, such as digital marketer, content strategist, SEO specialist, social media manager and digital marketing manager.
Project Management Certifications
Most colleges and universities in Canada offer a project management program to teach students how to run successful projects for different organizations.
Regardless of your chosen program, you need a Project Management Professional (PMP) certification to work as a project manager. The PMP certification is recognized worldwide, so you can find a project management position anywhere once you have it.
To earn a PMP certification, you must meet the following requirements:
- Possess a four-year degree
- 36 months leading projects
- 35 hours of project management education/training or CAPM certification
Or, you can have:
- A high school diploma or an associate’s degree
- 60 months leading projects
- 35 hours of project management education/training or CAPM certification
Interpreter or Translator Certifications
There is always a need for interpreters and translators to translate written content or spoken discourse between different languages. Their efforts guarantee that the same information is available to all.
The Canadian Translators, Terminologists and Interpreters Council (CTTIC) certification is required to operate as an interpreter or translator in Canada. The steps to get certified are as follows:
- Possess a degree in translation and have one year of full-time relevant experience or four years of full-time experience
- Register and pay for the exam
- Pass the exam and become certified
Once you have your certification, you can apply for several positions, including translator, interpreter, conference interpreter, court interpreter or terminologist.
Accounting Certifications
As Canadians must file their taxes, accountants are always in high demand. You must complete the Chartered Professional Accountant (CPA) certification program to become an accountant.
This provides candidates with both technical and soft skills to become an accountant. Some of the steps you need to take to become certified include:
- Complete an undergraduate degree in accounting or have eight years of related work experience
- Complete the CPA PEP prerequisite courses
- Provide three reference letters and a personal statement
- Pass the Common Final Examination
Completing the CPA certification program provides plenty of career opportunities as a financial accountant, public accountant, chartered accountant, management accountant, non-profit accountant and many more.
Skilled Trade Certifications
Positions in skilled trades, such as plumbing, carpentry, mechanics and welding, are always available and pay well. Each industry has different requirements, but typically, candidates must work as an apprentice for four to five years and pass an exam to earn a certificate.
For example, this is the path an electrician needs to take:
- Possess a high school diploma or GED.
- Complete a four- to five-year apprenticeship program, including on-the-job and technical training.
- Pass a Certification of Qualifications exam with at least a 70% to become a licensed electrician.
- If you want to work in different provinces or territories, you must write the Interprovincial Exam and get the Interprovincial Standards Red Seal certification.
Sales Certification
Even though there are a lot of entry-level sales jobs, earning your Certified Sales Professional (CSP) designation can help you advance into higher-paying roles.
To succeed in your career, you can learn new skills and sales strategies by pursuing the educational requirements for certification. To submit a certification application, you need to have:
- A college diploma and 35 hours of accredited prerequisite education in sales
- Minimum of four years experience independently managing clients
- Evidence of meeting or exceeding sales targets for at least two years
What are the Benefits of Certifications?
Competitive Advantage: A certification makes one stand out while applying for jobs. Because of this, employers always look for certification as proof of a candidate’s aptitude and expertise.
Boost Efficiency: If you are certified in a specific course, you will be able to understand the workings of the job far more quickly than others because you will have encountered these procedures in previous employment.
You will learn everything there is to know about the duties involved in your preferred employment from a quality certification course. As a result, it will enable you to adjust to the role considerably more quickly than others.
Increase Earning Potential: Recruiters from large corporations give qualified candidates special attention. Consequently, recruiters from well-known and established firms will probably be more interested in employing you if you have a certification in a course relevant to your position, resulting in a better income.
Grow Knowledge and Skills: Receiving a certification on the course of your choice will allow you to gain a solid foundation in your career path and help you grow your knowledge and skills related to your chosen role.
Establish Professional Credibility: Getting a certificate validates your professional abilities. Your accreditation makes you more appealing to recruiters. Additionally, it increases your chances of getting hired by a reputable business.
Obtaining a certificate demonstrates your commitment to learning and your capacity for perseverance. It also reflects your passion for the work.
Final Thoughts
Investing in top certifications for career progression is an intelligent way to improve your professional chances and remain competitive. These certifications provide critical abilities and qualifications that can help you in your profession.
