David Cleminson, Regal IT's principal technical consultant, who has Citrix, Microsoft and Cisco certifications, agrees. "The courses don't make you a guru, but they do give you an understanding of how systems work. When they run into issues, it is much easier to isolate them and deal with them. But, having the experience on top of that makes all the difference."

Cleminson says Regal IT doesn't hire staff unless it has proof that applicants have the certification and the experience.

Jae Bogadi, director, Oracle University Australia and New Zealand, says: "From an individual perspective, certification provides a measurable differentiation and validation of expertise in a given technology. With this difference, individuals have more access and opportunities in securing senior positions or garnering higher salaries. From an employer's perspective, certification provides a benchmark for IT managers when assessing the skills of potential hires. Combined with on-the-job experience, certification gives employers the confidence that an individual has the required training and expertise."

Real world

Although there is still room for advancement, it's widely agreed that certifications are becoming more real world- and performance-based. In its initial stages, exams required the candidates to retain knowledge and answer scenario-based, multiple-choice questions. While this is still the case with many certifications, vendors are recognizing the need to test a candidate's practical knowledge, too.