Best Machine Learning Professional Certifications: 2021 List
Machine learning is the process of programming devices so they can learn independently. It is a type of technology used in different areas such as recommendation systems, image identification, data analytics, and other artificial intelligence-related processes.
Machine learning has become one of the fastest-growing trends in the tech industry because of its applications in different fields. To learn machine learning, you will have to study data science and computer science fundamentals. Today, you can become a certified machine learning engineer. This guide will cover the best machine learning certifications of 2021.
What’s Demand for Machine Learning Skills Like in 2021?
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the job growth for computer and information research scientist occupations is 15 percent, which is much higher than the average employment growth projections for all other professions. This means there will be many more jobs between 2019 and 2029.
Machine learning engineers are considered computer and information research scientists because they develop appropriate technological solutions for a wide variety of industries. Their role is to test, design, and implement different software products to solve industry problems or improve current systems by using artificial intelligence (AI) technology.
Why Should I Invest In a Machine Learning Certification?
Having a machine learning certification is a great way to demonstrate that you have the skills needed to develop machine learning-driven software. These certifications cover topics like Python for machine learning, R programming, data selection, data modeling, probability, and statistics. The following list covers a few reasons to pursue certification.
Increase Your Salary
Certification proves to employers that you have the skill set it requires to excel in your career of choice. Getting a certification is a good career move to help you get a salary increase. According to a report from Global Knowledge, professionals who earned an IT certification got a salary increase of up to $13,000.
Increase Your Salary
Certification proves to employers that you have the skill set it requires to excel in your career of choice. Getting a certification is a good career move to help you get a salary increase. According to a report from Global Knowledge, professionals who earned an IT certification got a salary increase of up to $13,000.
Gain In-Demand Skills
As we mentioned earlier, machine learning engineering is currently an in-demand profession. A machine learning certification will help you land a job as an engineer. You’ll add value to your resume by implementing a marketable tech skill.
Enhance Your Professional Image
Getting a certification is a good path to career promotion. The accreditation reflects your achievements in the tech field and helps you stand out from other colleagues in the same area.
Showcase Your Commitment
Not everyone chooses to take the step to become a certified machine learning professional. That’s why this sets you apart from others. You have committed to study and prepare yourself for industry challenges by earning this certification.
Overview: The Best Machine Learning Certifications
Certification | Cost | Validity |
---|---|---|
Amazon AWS Certified Machine Learning – Specialty | $300 | 3 years |
Google Cloud Professional Machine Learning Engineer | $200 | 2 years |
TensorFlow Developer Certificate | $100 | 36 months |
Top Machine Learning Certifications
There aren’t many machine learning credentials out there. There are many certificate programs, but they don’t carry the same weight as professional certifications. We have included certifications offered by reputable companies like Google. Let’s explore the top three certifications for machine learning.
Amazon AWS Certified Machine Learning – Specialty
This certification is the perfect match for those who want to validate their machine learning skills and professionals who want to demonstrate they can efficiently use the AWS platform. This credential authenticates your ability to provide effective machine learning solutions.
In the machine learning specialty exam, you will be evaluated to see if you can identify the appropriate AWS services for a given business problem. This way, they’ll know if you’re fully prepared to provide accurate machine learning solutions.
To be eligible for this certification, you need to have one or two years of experience using AWS. You should also understand fundamentals like neural networks, deep learning, data visualization, and more. The exam and certification cost $300, and there is an official practice exam available for an additional $40.
Google Professional Machine Learning Engineer
This Google certification is focused on machine learning engineering. You’ll have a two-hour exam with challenges that’ll test your skills in Python programming, ML models, data processing, and pipeline automation. The only requirements to earn the Google Professional Machine Learning Engineer certification is paying the $200 exam fee and passing the test.
Google recommends that you have a couple of years of experience using Google Cloud. You can complete the exam online or in person. Keep in mind that for the online exam, you must meet a couple of computer specifications.
TensorFlow Developer Certificate
TensorFlow is an open-source AI library used in several processes of data modeling and data prediction. It is an essential tool in the role of a machine learning engineer. That’s why this certification is perfect for those who are trying to validate their machine learning skills.
The TensorFlow certification demonstrates you are fully qualified to work with the TensorFlow platform. You must be able to build machine learning models, be proficient in Python programming, and use those data models to make predictions.
This certification requires you to take a five-hour test to evaluate your skills using TensorFlow. This exam is available for American and international citizens and even those from certain sanctioned countries like Cuba and Iran.
Choosing the Right Certification
When choosing a certification, you need to consider a couple of factors. You should know what type of specialization you want to follow and whether you have the required skills or you need to prepare more. Below you will find a list of handy tips to choose a certification. This way, it’ll be easier to know how to prepare and what to expect.
Follow a Specialty
Following a specialty is a good career move in terms of enhancing your resume. Having a machine learning certification is great, but you’ll become more valuable for your potential employer if you add a particular skill to it. The AWS certification is a good example of this.
Check the Reputability of the Provider
There are many sites online that offer you an ML certificate or other types of credentials, but it’s important to check the reputability of the provider. Many employers take this into account when looking at a certification in a candidate’s resume. Companies like Google or Microsoft are good sources to look for a certification.
Choose a Certification with High Demand
Another important factor to consider is what certification has the highest demand in your job market. There are a couple of platforms, like Indeed and ZipRecruiter, that offer this type of data. Skills like machine learning in Microsoft Azure or AWS are very valuable these days, so it’s a good idea to consider those types of certifications.
Preparing for Your Certification Exam
Most certifications suggest or require you to have hands-on experience in your field before signing up for the exam. There are also educational resources available online that can help you study for your exam. We’ve listed the best courses for each machine learning certification below.
Type of Resource: Online Course
Cost: $114.99
This online course is a great resource to prepare for the AWS certification. This prep course will help you practice and study for the certification exam. It offers ten hours of training videos and access to a practice exam. Although it’s slightly expensive, there are often sale prices for courses on Udemy.
Great for:
- Practicing with real exam questions
- Studying machine learning fundamentals
- Obtaining a certificate of completion at the end of the course
Type of Resource: Online Course
Cost: Free to enroll
This is an online course that provides intensive training for the Google Professional Machine Learning Engineer certification. You will have access to training resources that will help you improve your machine learning engineering skills, such as data cleansing, machine learning models, and cloud computing, especially in the Google cloud.
This certification course lasts five months and has a flexible schedule. You will have to invest at least five hours a week. This course also includes a practice exam to help you prepare for the real test.
Great for:
- Receiving immersive certification training
- Preparing for the certification exam
- Enhancing your current machine learning skills
Type of Resource: Online Course
Cost: $114.99
This Udemy course provides you with over 50 hours of training videos, five downloadable resources, and one practice exam. You will learn deep learning and machine learning techniques such as convolutional neural networks, natural language processing, and computer vision.
Great for:
- Getting machine learning and deep learning skills
- Practicing exam challenges
- Practicing forecasting techniques
Should I Pursue a Machine Learning Certification in 2021?
Yes, you should pursue a machine learning certification in 2021. Machine learning engineering is an industry-leading skill that every company wants to use in their favor. That’s why getting a machine learning certification will provide you with career opportunities and job benefits like a salary increase or job promotion.
However, you need to know that machine learning is an advanced field, and you may spend months preparing for certification exams. You must be proficient in different programming languages like Python, R, and SQL. You should also understand basic data science concepts like statistics, algebra, and forecasting.
Certification is a great way to make you stand out from your peers in a competitive job market. This certification will make you look more reliable and validate your skills to current and future employers, and yourself. If you want to work in machine learning, you should get a machine learning certification in 2021.