Workday customer certification

It's been a year since I wrote about Workday's customer certification program.  As the fine folks at Workday sent me an unsolicited marketing email recently on this very topic, I thought I'd check in and see what's new on this front.  Specifically, let's talk about *customer* certification, rather than the general certification that Workday does for its own consultants and partners.

What is Workday customer certification?

Workday Pro is Workday's certification program for Workday customers, i.e. not the general public.  Customers can sign up their employees who take the WD training and tests to reach a level of knowledge that is similar to a certified partner.

Workday suggests that overall customers can get better value from their employees in the knowledge that they can deliver similar value on par with an external consultant.  WD suggests that employees can be recognized as having obtained a certain level of knowledge and can also access the latest and greatest update training that is only available to WD certified consultants.

How does it work?  

There are a number of certification tracks, examples:  WD HCM core, Benefits, Studio, Absence, etc.  For each there is a set of "Workday Pro" training.  So you pay for your training credits for a track and they give you a course, study guide and an exam.

IF you've already taken the equivalent 'regular' courses in the catalog it seems that will carry over.  You're still paying for the content but you're not required to utilize it.  The main thing in this case would be the exam. 

The clever marketing minds over at WD went through their training records and figured out I would qualify for a few certification tracks based on the courses I have already taken, so this was the gist of the email they sent to me.

Would I like to become Workday certified?

No.  I've been certified in a number of schemes over the years:  HR in the UK (CIPD), HR systems in the US (IHRIM), plus a number of extra ones in the information security space.  Here's why I wouldn't do it:

1. I cannot in good faith ask my company to do a second outlay of cash.  It's already enough money to take the courses the first time.

2. It's a multiple choice and true/false test.  I don't put huge stock in multiple choice tests, in particular when exams are not overseen and anyone can be taking it on the other side of the computer.

Should you become Workday certified?

I've recently received this question a few times via blog email in various formats such as WD consultants going in-house.  In particular, I'd say 'Yes!' if any of the following apply:

1. If you have not taken the courses and your company is willing to pay for them and for you to become certified, why not?

2. If you are coming from a completely different technology and branching into WD.

3. If you are working in a country that is known for offshore activities, it may be a way to distinguish yourself.

Would I particularly hire someone who is WD certified over not?  

No. While I am quite good at multiple choice and true/false tests, I don't care if anyone else can do them.  More important to me is someone's ability to follow a logical thought process and to understand HR business processes.  However, I imagine my more technical counterparts would prefer a coder who has gone through this process to prove a level of knowledge.

Other reading on this topic, how difficult is it to pass the exams?

https://www.quora.com/Once-you-do-the-Workday-training-how-difficult-is-it-to-pass-the-test-and-get-certified-for-Workday-integration