β Best Certifications to Get in IT 2025: Launch or Boost Your Tech Career
Whether you’re breaking into the tech world or leveling up your skills, 2025 is the perfect time to invest in an IT certification. With technology evolving faster than ever, companies are hungry for certified professionals who can prove their expertise in real-world environments.
But with so many certifications out there, which ones actually matter? Below are the top IT certifications in 2025βwhether you’re just starting out, switching careers, or seeking a promotion.
π° Why IT Certifications Matter in 2025
- β Validate your skills in areas like networking, cybersecurity, and cloud computing
- β Boost your credibilityβeven without a degree
- β Stand out to recruiters on LinkedIn and job boards
- β Unlock higher salaries and more job offers
π§βπ» Best Entry-Level IT Certifications for Beginners
1. CompTIA A+
- π Duration: ~3β6 months prep
- π΅ Average Salary: R330,000/year (South Africa)
- π― Focus: Hardware, software, troubleshooting, basic networking
Perfect for absolute beginners. A great starting point into IT support and technician roles.
2. Google IT Support Professional Certificate
- π Platform: Coursera
- β Duration: 6 months (at 5β10 hours/week)
- π§ No prerequisites
- π Globally recognized
3. Cisco Certified Support Technician (CCST)
- π NEW for 2025
- π Duration: 10β20 hours
- π‘ Tracks: Networking or Cybersecurity
Great for school-leavers and career changers entering the Cisco track.
π Best Mid-Level Certifications to Advance Your Career
4. CompTIA Security+
- π‘οΈ Focus: Cybersecurity skills
- π― Roles: SOC analyst, security admin, IT auditor
- π° Salary: $65,000β$100,000
5. Cisco CCNA
- π§ Networking fundamentals, IP, security basics
- π§βπ« Ideal for NOC engineers, IT techs
- πΈ 20β30% salary boost potential
6. Microsoft Azure Fundamentals (AZ-900)
- βοΈ Focus: Cloud computing basics
- β No experience needed
- π§ Gateway to Azure Administrator or Architect roles
π Best Certifications for Cybersecurity in 2025
7. Certified Ethical Hacker (CEH)
- π― Focus: Pen testing, ethical hacking tools
- π₯ Updated with AI threat coverage
8. ISC2 Certified in Cybersecurity (CC)
- π Entry-level cybersecurity cert by ISC2 (CISSP creators)
- β No degree required
π Top Certifications in Cloud, DevOps, and Programming
9. AWS Cloud Practitioner
- π§ Beginner-friendly AWS cert
- π’ Employers: Amazon, SAP, Netflix
10. Google Cloud Professional Architect
- πΌ Architect cloud infrastructure
- πΈ One of the highest-paying certs
11. Certified Kubernetes Administrator (CKA)
- βοΈ For DevOps & Site Reliability Engineers
- π§ͺ Hands-on practical exam
π§ Best IT Certifications for Developers
12. Microsoft Azure AI Fundamentals (AI-900)
- π€ Covers ML models, NLP, AI ethics
- π¬ Great starting point for AI and data science
13. Meta Front-End Developer Certificate
- π₯οΈ HTML, CSS, JavaScript, React
- π§° Project-based with portfolio creation
π Best Free and Fast Certifications in 2025
- π IBM Cybersecurity Analyst (Coursera)
- π Google Cybersecurity Certificate
- π Linux Essentials (The Linux Foundation)
- π Intro to Python (offered by School of IT)
π Final Thoughts: Which IT Certification Is Right for You?
Choose based on your goals:
- π° New to IT? Start with CompTIA A+ or Google IT Support
- π Cybersecurity? Try Security+ or CEH
- βοΈ Cloud computing? Go with AWS or Azure
- π» Programming? Try Meta Front-End or AI-900
π‘ Tip: Many of these can be completed in under 3 months and can dramatically improve your job prospects!
πΌ Get Certified with School of IT (South Africa)
We offer online, one-on-one training in:
- βοΈ CompTIA (A+, Security+)
- βοΈ Cisco (CCNA, CCST)
- βοΈ Python, Java, JavaScript
- βοΈ Cybersecurity & DevOps
π
Start anytime, schedule your own classes
π§βπ« Real lecturers, real results
π Visit: www.schoolofit.co.za
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