Autodesk EMEA education and training distributor, KnowledgePoint, reveals over 70 per cent of CAD professionals believe IT certification will be required when applying for future jobs or they have already been asked to provide it, while a further 70 per cent felt it gave them individual advantage.  

The survey of 673 CAD professionals that attended Autodesk’s Open Doors EMEA 2012 training event was designed to measure the importance of certification qualifications. Given that this year’s event was the most successful in Autodesk’s history, with over 6,000 exams delivered, it was the perfect opportunity to survey industry professionals. The majority of respondents (62%) worked across architecture, engineering and construction.

In light of the volatile jobs market, professionals are keener than ever to ensure they learn best practice to gain competitive advantage. In 2011, only 29 per cent of employers saw certification as a way to validate the knowledge of staff. However, this year, over half of respondents (55%) noted their employer encouraged them to pursue IT certification schemes. While, the majority of respondents (60%) felt that certification was important or very important to their career.

This year the Autodesk Open Doors EMEA 2012 event has proved even more popular. The survey found that the majority of candidates (58%) were aged 29 or under, while 36 per cent were aged 30–50. Over half (62%) of those attending the event had not taken any software exams before, despite 60 per cent of respondents noting they were already using the software for client work.

During Open Doors EMEA 2012, free exams were made available at all participating Autodesk Authorised Training Centers (ATCs) for CAD professionals seeking to accredit their skills. There were no limits on the number of exams that each individual could sit.

“The uptake of Autodesk exams has increased year on year,” says Kirstin Donoghue, Autodesk Partner Manager EMEA. “The survey findings show a continual increase in CAD professionals looking to accredit their skills. Both individuals and companies are starting to see the benefits of using further learning to enhance knowledge and increase competitive advantage.”

About KnowledgePoint
KnowledgePoint is a specialist services provider in the IT learning and training field, offering printing, distribution and logistics, and operational and marketing support services to a wide range of major IT corporations; KnowledgePoint operates across the EMEA territory, and has been a services provider to Autodesk Learning for many years. KnowledgePoint is the distributor for the Professional Certification program.

About Autodesk
Autodesk, Inc., is a leader in 3D design, engineering and entertainment software. Customers across the manufacturing, architecture, building, construction, and media and entertainment industries – including the last 16 Academy Award winners for Best Visual Effects – use Autodesk software to design, visualise, and simulate their ideas. Since its introduction of AutoCAD software in 1982, Autodesk continues to develop the broadest portfolio of state-of-the-art software for global markets. For additional information about Autodesk, visit www.autodesk.com.