The Role of Professional Certifications in Developing Professional Performance From the Perspective of Umm Al-Qura University Employees

The study aimed to identify the attitudes of administrative employees at Umm Al-Qura University toward the importance of professional certifications and their role in professional development. It also sought to explore statistical differences among the sample based on variables such as gender, educational qualification, and years of experience. The questionnaire was administered to a sample of 114 male and female employees out of the university's total of 2,700 employees.
The results confirmed the importance of obtaining professional certifications and their relevance to the employees' job fields. They also highlighted the influence of such certifications on employees’ beliefs and attitudes, as well as their significant role in acquiring knowledge and skills relevant to their work, ultimately impacting employee productivity. Furthermore, the study revealed statistically significant differences based on gender, favoring females in terms of belief in the importance of professional certifications. Employees without a university education showed greater interest and stronger belief in the impact of professional certifications on acquiring new skills and knowledge.
The study was limited by several factors, such as the type of employees, geographical area, and the nature of the data relied upon, making it difficult to generalize the findings to other populations. The study recommended conducting further research on different samples and applying qualitative research tools to gain a deeper understanding of the benefits of professional certifications, ways to improve them, and the obstacles that employees face or that prevent them from obtaining such certifications.
Keywords: micro-credentials, professional certificates, professional certifications, professional competencies, professional development.