- Talent & Leadership
It’s a tough world out there for young job seekers. In recent years it has become increasingly clear that a college degree, while still tremendously valuable, is often not enough to guarantee a smooth entry into the workforce, especially for young people eager to apply what they’ve learned in college to real-world roles. According to the UK Office for National Statistics the unemployment rate for people ages 20 to 24 in the United Kingdom stood at 12.8% in the period April-June 2025. Globally, the International Labor Organization reports that over 65 million young people are unemployed.
Even more concerning, research from the Burning Glass Institute reveals that 43% of recent U.S. college graduates are underemployed, meaning they’re working in jobs that don’t require a college degree. With the Pearson “Lost in Transition” report estimating that the U.S. economy loses $60 billion annually due to skills mismatches among young adults entering the workforce, the problem is not just personal — it’s systemic, with far-reaching impacts for individuals, communities, and businesses alike.
Krista Ketchmark
Vice President Certiport and Global IT Business Development
The disconnect between education and employability
So, what’s going on? The disconnect isn’t about the value of higher education, which remains a key driver of lifelong opportunity. Rather, it’s about the evolving demands of today’s employers. Companies are moving at breakneck speed, innovating, and transforming in response to new technologies, market forces, and customer needs. When hiring, they’re not just looking for theoretical knowledge. They want evidence that candidates can seamlessly integrate into teams, hit the ground running, and use the everyday tools of business with confidence and creativity.
Business leaders repeatedly tell us that they expect even entry-level employees to be proficient in programs such as Microsoft Word, Excel, PowerPoint, WordPress, Photoshop, Illustrator, Premiere Pro, Salesforce, and increasingly, generative AI platforms. These are not “nice to have” skills; they are essential competencies that enable businesses to operate, collaborate, and compete. Employers are on the lookout for individuals who already know these programs inside out — and who won’t need weeks or months of onboarding just to be productive.
The message is clear: while college provides a critical foundation, today’s young people must go further. They need to demonstrate and prove that they have the practical, job-ready skills employers require.
Certifications: Powering employability and career mobility
This is where industry certifications play a transformative role. At Pearson we believe wholeheartedly in the power of credentials to release opportunity. Our “learn-practice-certify” approach is designed with exactly this goal in mind: to ensure that learners acquire, apply, and validate skills that matter in the workplace.
Why are certifications so crucial? The numbers speak for themselves. Recent findings from the Pearson 2025 Value of IT Certification Candidate Report reveal that 92% of hiring managers agree that certifications increase confidence in a candidate's abilities, and 81% report that certified employees reach full productivity faster than their non-certified peers. Furthermore, professionals who hold industry-recognized certifications are 27% more likely to receive promotions and career advancement opportunities, reinforcing the transformative impact of these credentials in today’s competitive job market.
But it’s not just about IT “specialists.” Proficiency in Microsoft Office, Adobe Creative Cloud, and business applications like WordPress and Salesforce is now expected in a wide range of industries. Whether young professionals are pursuing a career in business, design, marketing, project management, or web development, certifications demonstrate to employers that they’re ready to contribute on day one.
Staying ahead in a rapidly changing world
The pace of technological change is accelerating. New tools, platforms, and ways of working are emerging every year. To thrive in this environment, young people must view learning as a lifelong journey. Think of your skills as a gas tank; every new certification or credential is like topping off with premium fuel. The better the quality of what you put in, the further and faster you’ll go.
At Pearson, we’re committed to equipping learners with the most up-to-date, in-demand skills. Our courses and certifications cover foundational digital literacy as well as advanced applications across Microsoft Office (Word, Excel, PowerPoint), Adobe Creative Cloud (Photoshop, Illustrator, Premiere Pro), project management, SalesForce, and now, the Knowledge Pillars WordPress suite. The latter fills a key gap in the marketplace by preparing learners not just to “know” web development, but to actually do it — building, managing, and optimizing sites with confidence.
The power of world-class certification: A global perspective
To find evidence of just how powerful certification can be, look no further than the 2025 Certiport Microsoft Office Specialist and Adobe Accredited Professional World Championships, which recently concluded. I had the privilege of witnessing these remarkable young people showcase their expertise on the global stage. Their mastery of these applications (demonstrated through rigorous, hands-on tasks) set them apart as the best of the best.
What’s even more exciting is that this recognition translates directly into career opportunity. Time and again, we’ve seen our World Championship finalists and winners receive job offers based on their success in regional, national, and world competitions. Employers know that these individuals are proven problem solvers, collaborators, and innovators — precisely the attributes that drive organizational success!
Pearson: Your partners in lifelong success
As we look to the future, Pearson remains dedicated to closing the gap between education and employability. Our offerings are designed in close collaboration with industry partners to ensure that the skills we teach, test, and certify are exactly those that employers value most. We’re expanding global access to critical certifications, including Microsoft Excel, PowerPoint, and the full suite of Adobe credentials, as well as innovative offerings like the Knowledge Pillars WordPress certification.
We invite young people, educators, and employers to join us in this mission. By embracing lifelong learning and investing in certifications, they’ll not only enhance their career prospects, they’ll contribute to a more dynamic, resilient, and competitive workforce for all.
The world is changing, and the future belongs to those who are ready for it. Let’s get certified, get skilled, and get to work — together.