In the IT industry there is a lot of vocalization regarding the cost of IT training and continuing education pertaining to certifications. Some employers worry that additional training and certification will lead employees to seek new jobs and employees often wonder if the cost of these certifications are a worthwhile investment. The combination of misunderstood metrics and cost of training create a weird dynamic that cause both employees and employers to weigh the added value of these certifications.

The CompTia A+ Certification is a good example illustrating this point. After January 1, 2011 CompTIA A+, CompTIA Network+, CompTIA Security+ and CompTIA Advanced Security Practitioner (CASP) certifications became valid for three years from the date of certification instead of life. The exam costs alone add up which isn't so bad if you're earning higher wages because of the certifications. If you require additional training on top of that, well, now you're looking at potentially thousands every three years. Both companies and individuals start to wonder if the benefit pays off.

For IT professionals obtaining certification is generally driven by the desire for a higher salary. Let's be real, who doesn't want to earn more?

Well, here are some interesting facts that help put things in perspective. . .

The CompTIA A+ Certification has been the industry standard for measuring the knowledge of an IT tech's abilities in software and hardware. IT technicians who have certifications typically receive higher salaries with the majority achieving continued career advancement.

CompTia Certification holders as a rule have:

• More career options

• Obtain Higher Salaries

• On average, certified professionals make 5-15% than their non certified peers.

• Are a perceived asset by employers

• Instill confidence in employers

On the flip side, for many companies IT certifications have been and still remain the standard by which they measure knowledge. Whether this is right, wrong, good or bad many companies actually require certifications for consideration. Unfortunately, IT training and certifications are mis-understood by employers creating skewed bench marks which in turn devalue certifications.

CompTia released a statement on Wendesday, April 11 2012 addressing the importance of educating the employer to understand the value of IT training and the benefit of hiring a skilled worker who would provide added value to the corporation. "We haven’t necessarily sold this to the employing world, that if they get a skilled person, it’s much better for them long-term," Erdle said. "And certification is a good metric of that."

It is clear that IT certifications such as the CompTia A+ Certification is an added benefit to any professional's career. Perhaps, as CompTia suggests, educating the employer to better understand the value of training will help more accurately assess the true value of the certification.