Choosing the right Contentful training: Verified skills and certifications

Not all learning paths are created equal, because not all learning needs to be the same.

Sometimes you’re diving deep into a platform, building skills that span products, teams, and use cases. Other times, you’re under a deadline and need to quickly prove you can use a specific feature to get something done.

In both cases, you’re learning. But what you need to show at the end of that process can look very different.

That’s why the Contentful Learning Services team has developed two distinct types of skill validation: verified skills and certifications. Both are valuable. Both are respected. But each is tailored to different goals, timelines, and audiences.

So, how do you know which one to pursue, and when? Let’s break it down in this post.

What is a verified skill?

A verified skill is a focused acknowledgment that you've completed a specific, outcome-driven learning path. It's built around targeted training — think product walkthroughs, feature tutorials, or guided workflows — and is followed by a short quiz to confirm what you’ve learned. Moreover, there’s no financial commitment to taking the course.

Once you pass, you earn a Contentful Verified Skill Badge that you can share on LinkedIn, add to your internal team profile, or print and display. The badge shows that you're ready to apply that particular skill in real-world scenarios.

These learning paths are intentionally short. They’re not watered down, but they are efficient. You don’t need to block out days on your calendar or prepare for a lengthy exam. In many cases, you can go from start to badge in one morning or afternoon of your workday.

This makes verified skills ideal when:

• You're onboarding a new tool or workflow.

• You need to validate skills for a specific role or task.

• A team is rolling out a new feature and needs enablement quickly.

• You’re building momentum in your learning journey and want quick wins.

They’re also useful for managers or team leads who want to track that their team has completed essential training without requiring full certifications for everyone.

What is a certification?

A certification is a broader and deeper validation of knowledge. It’s designed to demonstrate mastery — not just familiarity — across a set of concepts, tools, and best practices. Certification programs at Contentful are tied to job roles or functional expertise and often align with industry standards.

Where a verified skill might cover a feature or single use case, a certification tackles the bigger picture: platform-wide knowledge, cross-functional workflows, and the ability to apply concepts in complex, real-world environments.

These programs take more time to complete — typically between 6-10 hours — and typically include a paid examination. Some learners choose to self-study, while others prepare through structured learning paths offered by Contentful.

Certifications are ideal when:

• You want to demonstrate your ability to operate confidently across the Contentful platform.

• You're preparing for a new job or role that requires platform expertise.

• You're seeking formal recognition that signals long-term investment in your skillset.

• You're working with partners, clients, or internal teams who expect certified professionals on their projects.

In short, a certification isn’t just a learning milestone. It’s a professional credential.

What’s the actual difference in practice?

Let’s say your team is about to launch a microsite using a new feature in Contentful Studio. You don’t need everyone to go through full certification. What you do need is for everyone on the team to understand how that feature works, how to use it efficiently, and how it fits into their specific responsibilities. This is where a verified skill badge tied to that feature is the perfect tool.

Now, flip the scenario. You’re leading a multi-team digital transformation project and need someone to manage and scale content across multiple spaces and use cases. You want someone with end-to-end knowledge of the platform, workflows, governance, and troubleshooting. A certified content manager is who you’re looking for.

In other words, think of verified skills as sharp, precise tools — quick to deploy, built for specific jobs. Certifications are your foundation: durable, comprehensive, and built for long-term success.

How to use both strategically

These two options aren’t in competition. They’re designed to work together, giving you a layered, strategic approach to skills development.

A new hire might start with a few verified skills to get up and running. Over time, as they take on more responsibility, they might pursue a certification to solidify their role and open up new career opportunities.

Likewise, a mature team might use verified skills to stay current with new features or workflows, while maintaining certification coverage for platform-wide expertise.

This kind of blended learning approach allows you to scale training intelligently — building just-in-time competence while also laying the groundwork for long-term capability.

What to expect from verified and certified programs in 2025

This year, the Learning Services team is expanding both our verified and certified offerings to better serve learners at all levels.

New and upcoming releases include:

• Contentful Certified Content Manager: A robust program validating comprehensive content management skills, platform fluency, and strategic thinking.

• Contentful Studio for Content Managers Verified Skill: A focused course to help content managers confidently navigate Studio workflows.

• Contentful Studio for Developers Verified Skill: Designed for developers working with structured content, APIs, and Studio components.

We’re also working on better visibility and shareability of badges, so that your accomplishments are easier to showcase — whether you're applying for a job, supporting a project bid, or just celebrating a win.

Final thought: Build what you need, when you need it

If there’s one thing we’ve learned from building and scaling learning programs, it’s this: People learn best when training aligns with real needs.

That’s the thinking behind offering both verified and certified options. You shouldn’t have to choose between learning fast and learning well. With the right combination of both, you can meet your immediate goals while investing in long-term growth.

Whether you're skilling up for a project or preparing to lead your team into new territory, we've built the tools to help you get there. And for technology and solutions partners, we also have tailored training available on our Partner Portal.

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