Giving the next generation of creators a jumpstart: Creativity for All and the Adobe Certified Professional program

Group of people on stage.

As the first person in my family to go to college, I experienced firsthand how higher education can change your life. Continuing education opened doors of opportunity, allowed me to study and work around the world, and inspired me to become an educator who could support students and other educators in their educational journeys.

That’s why the Adobe Certified Professional program means so much to me personally. It’s one of the most impactful demonstrations of our commitment to skilling the next generation in essential skills, enabling students worldwide, from all backgrounds, to access the skills, tools, and education they need to succeed in school and a global economy where digital and creative skills matter more than ever.

If you’re unfamiliar with the Adobe Certified Professional program, it provides students with an opportunity to earn industry-recognized professional credentials in Adobe Express, Adobe Creative Cloud, and Acrobat apps. We run it in partnership with Certiport, which is a leader in performance-based testing.

The opportunity to be credentialed in our products can make a huge difference in the career pathways of those who participate. Last April, at the launch of The Edit, a storytelling challenge for middle and high school students with NBC Universal, I met an Anchor Production Assistant on MSNBC “The Weekend” named Audriana Thomas. A proud graduate of Florida A&M University, Thomas shared with me how she credits Adobe certifications with giving her the skills, confidence, and opportunities to pursue her passion for journalism.

She also believes the certifications she earned through the program in Digital Video using Adobe Premiere Pro and Visual Design using Adobe Photoshop made recruiters take a second look at her resume. It helped her secure a 24-month post-graduate assignment with NBCU Academy, an award-winning program from Comcast NBCUniversal to educate and nurture media talent, which positioned her to land her dream job.

Sara Linderman (Adobe), Audriana Thomas (MSNBC), and Brian Johnsrud (Adobe) at the launch of The Edit.
Sara Linderman (Adobe), Audriana Thomas (MSNBC), and Brian Johnsrud (Adobe) at the launch of The Edit (photo credit: Brian Johnsrud).

“Adobe Certifications not only look good on my resume, they also show prospective employers that I’m dedicated, hardworking, self-motivated, and willing to go the extra mile,” says Thomas.

Thomas’s story is not unique. Adobe and Edelman recently conducted a study called “The Creative Edge: How Digital Credentials Unlock Emerging Skills in the Age of AI,” that found that professional certifications are one of the top three criteria that hiring managers look for when evaluating candidates’ qualifications for creative work, ranked higher than high school or college diplomas. Credentials make a difference.

That’s why, as we continue to monitor the job market and gather feedback from employers, educators, and students on the top skills students need to stay competitive, we’ve chosen this year to add two new certifications: Content Creation and Marketing using Adobe Express and Document Creation and Management using Adobe Acrobat Pro. These new certifications help students demonstrate the latest digital content and document creation skills used in a wide variety of jobs across industries.

Image of Audriana Thomas.
Image of Audriana Thomas.

We’re always on the lookout for new ways to introduce students to certifications and help them showcase their growing skills. In partnership with Certiport, we debuted the Adobe Certified Professional World Championship, which challenges students from around the world to create a professional graphic for a real-world nonprofit in just eight hours. Any student who completes an Adobe Certified Professional exam in Adobe Photoshop, Adobe Illustrator, or Adobe InDesign has a chance to represent their country and be named a champion.

“We are proud of the opportunities we provide to all contestants and winners together with Adobe,” says Craig Bushman, general manager, Certiport. “Through this unique competition, young people have a chance to learn, compete, and gain valuable skills that will help them in their future careers.”

Image of Egberto Oliveira.
Image of Egberto Oliveira.

The stories from participants in the challenges are amazing and inspiring.

“The competition truly changed my life, showing me that I have the potential to go further than I ever imagined,” says Egberto Oliveira. He won third place in 2023 for a poster he designed for the International Rescue Committee that infused splashes of color and a cheerful design to convey hope for those who need it most. “The certification courses taught me a lot of skills that I used in the competition, and I would recommend people get them even if they’re not competing. Having a badge on your profile sets you apart by showing that you possess specific design knowledge. It helps me attract clients and strengthens my reputation as a designer.”

In 2022, Oliveira’s life had taken an unexpected turn after a motorcycle accident nearly took his life. The physical, mental, and financial challenges robbed him of the confidence that he could make it in his design career. But friends and teachers at SENAI Alagoas encouraged him to take Photoshop and Illustrator certification exams and participate in the Adobe Certified Professional World Championship, his creative and career confidence got the boost it needed.

Image of Egberto Oliveira.
Image of Egberto Oliveira.

Salma Sanchez, who won first-place at the 2022 World Championships, leveraged her win to book speaking engagements and press interviews. She went on to start her own print, design, and marketing company, Print Palace, that now has more than 200 clients. Because all Adobe Certified Professional exams include college credit recommendations, Sanchez was also able to graduate early and focus on growing her business.

Image of Salma Sanchez.
Image of Salma Sanchez.
Image of Salma Sanchez.
Image of Salma Sanchez.

“The certifications changed my life. They helped give me the confidence to start my own company,” says Sanchez. “Even if students aren’t interested in a professional design career, certifications are still helpful for demonstrating general computer skills and ability to think outside of the box. I’ve had many recruiters tell me that they brought me in for an interview because the Adobe certifications made me stand out.”

We look forward to seeing what new ideas students will bring to the World Championship, and how they will turn their successes into bright futures that inspire us all.

Learn more about becoming an Adobe Certified Professional or getting your students certified here.