Q from Atlassian: What's the value of training and certification to you?

[Jaime Netzer]

G'day, training & certification crew!

We're currently updating value propositions for Atlassian University. If you're not familiar, a value proposition is a simple statement that summarizes why a customer would choose your product or service.

A few examples:

Slack "saves time by tearing down communication and systems silos."

Fjällräven "crafts products for a lifetime of memories."

Airbnb: "Airbnb exists to create a world where anyone can belong anywhere, providing healthy travel that is local, authentic, diverse, inclusive and sustainable.”

To add some customer voice and input to our work, we want to ask you:

What does Atlassian University (training, certification, or both) help you accomplish? How would you describe the value of Atlassian University training to a friend who might benefit from it?

What do you hope to get from your time and engagement with Atlassian University?

Thanks in advance for any and all input! 3, 2, 1 ......go! ⬇️

[Andy Gladstone · Accepted solution]

Atlassian University empowers admins and users of Atlassian products with training and certifications that validate their skills and allow them to stand out in their current roles and a growing competitive marketplace.

[Jaime Netzer]

@Andy Gladstone you're the best for sharing, friend!

[Randy O_Neal · Accepted solution]

Atlassian University training and certification provides my management/leadership tangible goals for my career growth/direction.

It provides me with the core knowledge I require to operate at a high level within the Atlassian product suite, and it offers me personal growth opportunities.

It enables me to provide SME-level assistance to my teams and to others within my company, and those skills are consistent with others who are likewise trained/certified.

By having a common set of knowledge widely distributed to anyone seeking similar training/certification, I can more easily have intelligent conversations with others in like roles and provide assistance to others, knowing that we have/should have a common set of knowledge, base assumptions, etc.

It's a fundamental aspect of my role within my company.

[Jaime Netzer]

Thanks so much for sharing @Randy O_Neal !

[Jack Brickey · Accepted solution]

• Provides me with a certified understanding of the products
• allows me to remain current with product evolution 
• adds value to my resume 

[Jaime Netzer]

Thanks for weighing in, @Jack Brickey !

By certified understanding, am I correct in assuming you mean it's Atlassian's point of view on what you need to know about the products?

[Jack Brickey]

Yes precisely. If I am using a product that I need training on, then receiving it from the product developer should be on target.

[Jaime Netzer]

Perfect @Jack Brickey thanks for clarifying — and for sharing!

[John Funk · Accepted solution]

Atlassian University Certifications provide clients with the assurance that the Jira Administrator has a certain level of knowledge and experience to perform most of the functions needed for specific products. 

[Mike Clarke · Accepted solution]

Training
I find the courses on the Atlassian University easy to access and a great way to pick up the base skills and knowledge to ask deeper questions, and guide my learning.
If I don't know something related to the Atlassian toolchain, I'm confident that there will be a course, expert in the community, or documentation that can help me fill the gaps.


Certification
Atlassian certifications give me, my employer, and our customers confidence that I have sufficient understanding of the particular tools to be able to speak with authority when advising customers/staff or designing solutions.

The Atlassian certifications help to set a target for my personal development, and are a source of pride when I achieve them.

Atlassian Certification is (currently) a requirement for Atlassian Partnership accreditation for organisations, so it helps instill a sense of job/career security for me because I know there is a strong demand for certified individuals. 

[Jaime Netzer]

Ooh you even separated them out, @Mike Clarke ! You're the best, thank you.

[Lauren Allen · Accepted solution]

With the Atlassian products being so highly configurable, training and certification provides you with the tools and knowledge to ensure you are making the most out of the tools for your organisation.  Not only does it teach how to use the products, but also provides guiderails and best practices for making the best decisions for your requirements. This knowledge is what makes a certification valuable in the marketplace, as you are not just learning one way, but how to assess which way will work best in any given situation. 

[Jaime Netzer]

Ack love this specificity Lauren! "This knowledge is what makes a certification valuable in the marketplace, as you are not just learning one way, but how to assess which way will work best in any given situation."

[StephanieC · Accepted solution]

• Provides consistency in understanding by all in-house support staff for Atlassian products
• Provides foundational knowledge of the systems for support team
• Allows for transferrable skills that future employers can be confident in.
• Enables a system for in-house permissions / performance management/ KPI/ stage gate structure (i.e. must complete "x" training to have admin rights, support "x" functionality, etc)

[Jaime Netzer]

Thank you, @StephanieC !