Should you get an official SOLIDWORKS Certification?

A common question that many ask is whether or not one should invest in getting SOLIDWORKS certification from an individual perspective. Here, we will try to break the benefits for you to help you decide if it is worth your time.  ​

​The certification tests themselves are inexpensive, however, the real cost behind them comes in the form of time invested to get the certificate. This goes in two parts:  ​​

• Time investment learning how to use the software: the skills needed to pass the test can take from few months of learning (like the CSWA) to few years (like the CSWE) depending on the type of certificate you are looking for. This time is the largest amount of your investments. You can save lots of your learning time by enrolling on well-structured courses that will streamline your learning.  
• Testing time: testing time goes from 1 – 4 hours depending on the test you are taking.  ​

The certification exam also costs money. However, the cost is relatively low ranging between USD 20 – 150 depending on which exam you are looking at. You can find all the exams in the SOLIDWORKS certification catalog.  

One might ask, “I have learned how to use the software, and the certification does not add anything to my skills. Why take the certificate”. This holds true assuming an individual who is working solely on his/her own. However, for the majority of individuals, they will be working as part of a larger network looking for a job, freelance clients, promotion, etc. In this, getting a SOLIDWORKS certification serves two main advantages for individuals: 

• A solid milestone and benchmark: when approaching employers or clients, there is a clear difference between saying that you ‘know how to use SOLIDWORKS’ or that you have SOLIDWORKS certifications. The latter holds more weight as it is an official benchmark by SOLIDWORKS verifying your skills.  
• Show of care and motivation: investing in your own certification can have more value than a proof of skills and knowledge. It can also indicate your commitment and initiative towards developing yourself by investing both time and money, which can give a competitive advantage on its own.  This is not to ignore the personal satisfaction and sense of accomplishment you would have after working towards and gaining an official certification. ​​

To conclude, we cannot say for certain if you should or should not invest in getting official certifications. However, if you decide to, we hope this post will help you identify all the right reasons for doing so.  
Are you a SOLIDWORKS user already or trying to learn it? Are you also considering getting a certification, what level of certification are you planning for?  
 
If you are looking for courses to help support your SOLIDWORKS learning journey, you can check out our online SOLIDWORKS courses.

By Tayseer Almattar, TforDesign Founder

Tayseer is the founder of TforDesign.  He has a passion for learning design and making all learning digestible and exciting. 
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LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/tsjmattar/​​