We asked managers from three of the largest IT consulting companies in Norway about how they emphasize certifications when hiring new people.
Certifications are widespread in the IT industry, and among the most well-known is Cisco's CCNA (Cisco Certified Network Associate) certification. Cisco has conducted surveys that show that 95 percent of those who took CCNA or another Cisco certification in 2020 stated that it had given them a new job or new educational opportunities.
But what do employers think?
We spoke to three of the largest IT consulting firms in Norway.
First in line
- Competence is the key to the labor market. As the head of a unit with consultants in the network industry, competence is actually my product. Being able to document our level of competence and type of competence is therefore very important, says Frode Pedersen, Director of Consulting Integrator Services at Telenor.
Telenor Group is a leading telecommunications company across the Nordics and Asia with 188 million customers and annual sales of around USD 14 billion (2020)
The right competence is worth its weight in goldFrode Pedersen
He adds that Cisco certifications are well recognized in the industry.
- For me, Cisco`s CCNA certification means two things: The person in question is ambitious and wants to achieve something, and has acquired basic and relevant competence in a short time. The right competence is worth its weight in gold, and those who have documented the knowledge are first in line (when applying for a job), says Pedersen.
- Shows your ability to learn
Conscia is a Northern European provider of IT infrastructure solutions and services within networks, data centers, and security.
Trond Fleitscher, Chief Technology Officer at Conscia Norway, believes that having certifications on your CV shows that you have the will and ability to learn new things.
- As an employer that values lifelong learning, Cisco's education and certification program is an important factor when hiring. For Conscia and our customers, not only does a CCNA certification provide documented knowledge of the basic and broad understanding of our field, but it also shows the ability and willingness to learn, says Fleitscher.
- Take responsibility
The IT company Atea has 84 offices in Norway and the Baltics with more than 7,000 employees. Espen Grødem, Consultant Manager Network and Security, says that acquiring new knowledge is crucial if you want to succeed in the IT industry.
For technology companies such as Atea, it is valuable to carry out certifications such as CCNA.Espen Grødem
- A CCNA certification is probably only the first part of taking responsibility for your learning. It is about being constantly curious and up to date throughout your entire career. Because if you think that you are finished learning, then you are finished in the IT industry, says Grødem.
- For technology companies such as Atea, it is really valuable if you have certifications such as CCNA. It shows that you are both future-oriented, curious, and responsible - completely in line with Atea's values.
Get your CCNA certification
In collaboration with Cisco Network Academy, Noroff Accelerate offers three boot camps based on the curriculum of Cisco's CCNA program.
The bootcamps are flexible, online, and can be carried out alongside full-time work. Once you have completed the courses, you can take the CCNA exam at one of our test centers.
