Why TYPO3 Certifications Matter

Let me start with a few questions about your relationship with TYPO3. Do you work for an agency that implements TYPO3 sites for their clients? Do you typically set up and configure the TYPO3 instances? Are you a developer who builds custom extensions to meet your clients’ specific needs? Do you consult with clients on their TYPO3 projects, such as a project manager or product owner? Are you responsible for editing the content of one or multiple TYPO3 sites? Maybe the website of the company or organization you work for?

If your answer is “yes” to at least one of these questions, you should consider getting certified. This article explains why certifications matter and how you can benefit from them. I am also happy to announce a new edition of a study guide for TYPO3 integrators that will be available soon.

The TYPO3 Education Committee (part of the TYPO3 Association) currently offers four certification streams: 

• TYPO3 integrators
• TYPO3 developers
• TYPO3 consultants
• TYPO3 editors

By passing an exam in one of these domains, candidates prove that they have specific knowledge or skills needed to work with TYPO3 in a professional way that follows best practices.

This knowledge is, without a doubt, incredibly valuable. Certified integrators, for example, know precisely how to set up and manage TYPO3 systems. Their work includes backend administration, TypoScript configuration, template development, performance tuning, and more. Certified developers know how to develop robust and secure extensions efficiently. If you’re a certified consultant, you can professionally consult with your clients on their TYPO3 projects. Maintaining the content of a TYPO3 site typically falls under the responsibility of editors. Those wizards know their trade (and can prove it with a certification) when it comes to page and content management using various page and content element types.

The tests for each domain are challenging and not easy to pass for most candidates without preparation. The questions and answers are deliberately structured in a way that requires knowledge and experience. Therefore, the preparation for the test alone is a good reason to aim for a TYPO3 certification, because you gain valuable knowledge and learn new skills when you dive deep into the topics.

Another good reason for a TYPO3 certification is that only individuals can be certified. The TYPO3 Association does not assess a company or a team, but a person. Once you are officially certified, if you happen to change employers, you take your certificate to your next job. It goes without saying that a TYPO3 certification is a big bonus on your resume.

Even if you stay with your employer for a long time, your market value increases with the newly acquired and officially recognized expertise. Therefore, your new value should have a mid-term effect on your position and your salary in the short term. Once certified, the achievement is, without doubt, a good argument in your next salary negotiation.

Also, keep in mind that TYPO3 certifications are written proof of your competence as a TYPO3 expert. These certifications can open doors. For freelancers, a certification can be the decisive reason to distinguish themselves from competitors and be more likely to be accepted by a new client.

Personal achievement is also a great feeling. It is a victory that you achieve, and one to be proud of. If you’re active in career networks such as XING or LinkedIn, you’ll certainly have seen other members in your network who proudly promote their certification.

Agencies also benefit if their employees are officially certified. Businesses must prove that their team can achieve the project goals when participating in project tenders. Well-trained IT staff is never a disadvantage, and official TYPO3 certifications provide the perfect proof. Tenders for large projects sometimes even require certified personnel. TYPO3 certifications really matter in these cases.

I strongly believe in IT certifications. In my view, it’s okay if they are challenging, but they should be fair. Candidates should know what a test looks like, so they know what to expect. Candidates should be able to prepare, learn, and study for the test, and everyone should be able to pass. Everyone! The specialist literature and study guides come into play here.

Today I am happy to announce a new edition of the well-known TYPO3 CMS Certified Integrator (TCCI) book/eBook. The revised and updated 6th edition of the TCCI study guide includes about 300 example questions, possible answers, and clear explanations as to which answers are correct and why. In addition, the chapters are aligned with the official syllabus, and the questions and answers reflect the style of the questions in the exam.

At the time of writing, the eBook’s pre-release is available at Leanpub. Leanpub encourages authors to “publish early, publish often”. Many IT professionals are used to this agile approach. The concept lets me, as an author, release a version of the eBook even if I am still working on the final bits and pieces. At Leanpub, readers purchase a subscription. Leanpub notifies all existing readers whenever an update becomes available, who can then access the new version for free.

Although the TCCI syllabus and the exams are still for TYPO3 v10 LTS, the 6th edition of the TCCI study guide covers TYPO3 v11 LTS questions. Many TYPO3 integrators expressed that they are eager to start learning for the v11 LTS test sooner rather than later.

Since the TCCI syllabus and the question pool for the exam are still in the making, changes will likely occur before they are declared as final. Therefore, the study guide will also receive updates, adjustments, and additional content. That’s why the current version of the TYPO3 CMS Certified Integrator eBook is labeled as a pre-release. A printed version of the book will also be available once it reaches its final status.

The TCCI study guide helps you to prepare for and master the exam. It does not guarantee that you will pass, but it significantly increases your chances.

You find further details about the eBook at Leanpub.

More information about the TYPO3 certifications for integrators, developers, consultants, and editors is available from the TYPO3 GmbH’s website.

Keep an eye on upcoming service offers by the TYPO3 GmbH, for example training courses, and join the conversation in the TYPO3 Slack channel #typo3-certification.

Image credits: photos by pixabay (teaser image) and fauxels (banner image) from pexels.com.