Blockchain Certifications: Why do you need them?
The adoption of blockchain technology is steadily growing in the industry. Statista predicts the spending on blockchain applications will reach $15.3 billion by 2023. The technology has several use-cases for businesses including tamper-proof record keeping, smart contracts, digital rights management, voting (elections), cryptocurrencies, and more.
The technology offers enormous opportunities for businesses. Many experts compare the invention of technology to a game-changing phenomenon like the internet because technology is revolutionizing in many ways. For instance, it eliminates the need for third-party validation, ensures data integrity and security without a central authority like a bank, among other things. Consequently, blockchain technology has become one of the most in-demand skills in the industry, driving demand for blockchain developers.
Taking a blockchain certification is one way to prove your expertise and demonstrate your skills to potential employers.
Why blockchain certification is important?
1. Blockchain is a sophisticated technology. A certification proves to employers that you’re well-versed with the technology and allay fears of hiring risk.
2. Startups, venture capital firms, tech companies, and enterprises realize the benefits of integrating blockchain in their business processes. This is creating job opportunities around the world.
3. Glassdoor reports the average salary of a blockchain developer is $150,000, which is way above average salary. A valuable blockchain certification imparts skills and knowledge, thereby increasing your chances significantly to get the job.
4. Blockchain is still a new and emerging technology, which justifies the shortage of blockchain talent. This also creates fear among recruiters of hiring under-skilled talent. A certification reinforces the belief that the holder possesses requisites skills, allaying fears of hiring the wrong person for the job.
5. While taking a certification you will explore several use cases of the technology, ranging from supply chain to manufacturing to voting, and other practical applications. This exposure prepares you to analyze the feasibility of the project and prepare accordingly. This is an essential trait for any technology role that hiring managers look for in prospective clients.
What are the best blockchain certifications?
Certified Blockchain Developer (CBD)
This certification equips you with the most in-demand skills required in blockchain development. You will learn solidity and smart contract development. You will get comprehensive knowledge of hyper ledger fabric, Stellar, Corda, and Ethereum. These are essential skills to work on any blockchain development project.
This certification is offered by Blockchain Council.
Certified Blockchain Engineer (CBE)
Taking this certification will equip you with fundamental skills of blockchain and practical skills required to build blockchain applications. You will gain knowledge of a multitude of blockchain development platforms, namely, Hyperledger, Ethereum, OpenChain, Stratis, Lisk, IOTA, and Hydrachain. You will also gain a solid understanding of cryptocurrencies and their development.
CBE is a highly coveted credential in the blockchain industry. It is offered by the Central Blockchain Council of America (CBCA).
Business Blockchain Professional (BBP)
Blockchain applications require a large investment in terms of money and effort. Not to mention, data security and privacy is a top concern in the industry. From a business perspective, investment in blockchain can turn into a compliance nightmare, if things don’t go as planned. Business leaders need a different perspective to assess the benefits of blockchain. BBP equips you with the set of skills to do just that.
This certification is offered by the Central Blockchain Council of America (CBCA).
Professional certificate in blockchain fundamentals
This is an entry-level professional blockchain certification. Taking this certification will allow you to understand the blockchain technology inside out. You will become familiar with the consensus mechanism, cryptography, Bitcoin, and smart contracts. You will learn how to build decentralized business applications and implement blockchain in an enterprise.
This certification is offered by edX in collaboration with the University of California, Berkeley.
