Should You Hire Staff Who Are Fully Qualified or Invest in Training Them?

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Needless to say, there are many things that business owners must do when it comes to hiring employees, such as background checks, work experience, the vibes they pick up on, and so on. But when it comes to hiring, business owners often face a big question: Do you stick to hiring people who already have all the licenses, certifications, and degrees, or do you hire those with potential and train them up?It’s a bit of a tug-of-war between playing it safe with people with all the qualifications or putting in the time and effort to mold someone who might be the perfect fit for your company. So, with all of that said, let’s break it down and figure out if you should prioritize accolades or invest in developing your future team.

Why Hiring Fully Qualified Staff Seems Like the Best Idea

Looking for employees with the qualifications and experience under their belts is tempting. Who wouldn’t want someone who can hit the ground running? But before you make up your mind, let’s look at what hiring fully qualified staff brings.

Immediate Expertise and Confidence

The obvious advantage of hiring someone who is already certified is that they come with the know-how. There’s no hand-holding or months of training to get them up to speed—they’ve already put in the work. So this is especially true in industries like healthcare, law, or skilled trades, where having qualified people is not just a luxury; it’s a necessity. It keeps your operations safe and compliant with all the legal standards.

Plus, maybe you need someone who can be an instructor or a manager to other staff (that you eventually plan on hiring). With something like that, it will never hurt to have a forklift train-the-trainer certification, for example, if the business is in a factory or logistics-oriented. If they already know precisely what they are doing, you can count on them to be able to instruct, lead the way, manage others, and so on. There won’t be any costly mistakes, right?

Building Client Trust

It’s not just you who benefits—your clients will feel more confident, too. So, customers generally feel more comfortable knowing they’re in the hands of a certified professional. It builds trust when they know their electrician, consultant, or therapist has all the proper credentials. In some industries, having those qualifications can set your business apart from competitors and make you the go-to choice.

The Not-So-Great Side of Only Hiring Fully Qualified Staff

Believe it or not, but the thing is, it’s not all sunshine and roses. But how? Well, focusing solely on finding fully qualified staff can create its own set of problems. For one, you could limit your options and possibly miss out on hidden gems.

Shrinking Your Talent Pool

When you insist on hiring people who come with all the certifications, you’re instantly narrowing down the pool of potential candidates. Many talented, capable people might not yet have those pieces of paper but could shine with some training and guidance. You could miss out on some fantastic talent because you're fixated on accolades over potential. 

And here’s the thing—just because someone doesn’t have all the right qualifications at the start doesn’t mean they won’t become one of your best employees. Sometimes, the drive to learn and grow is far more valuable than having a fancy certificate.

Higher Costs from Day One

Let’s face it: hiring fully qualified staff often comes with a higher price tag. People with specialized degrees or licenses have likely invested a lot in their education and training, and they expect to be compensated accordingly. If you’re a smaller business or working with a tight budget, hiring someone who already has it all can quickly eat into your bottom line.

There’s Some Benefits of Training Your Team from Scratch

But what about what’s on the flip side? Hiring someone with potential and providing them with the training they need can be a real game-changer for your business. It might take more effort upfront, but the long-term rewards can make it all worthwhile. So, let’s go ahead and take a deeper look into all of this.

Loyalty and Engagement

Investing in someone’s training and development makes them more likely to feel a sense of loyalty to your business. They know you’ve taken the time to help them grow, creating a bond. You’re not doing that, “you’re on your own,” which can really affect loyalty. So, you can count on employees to feel supported and tend to stick around longer, work harder, and care more about the success of the business. 

Plus, think of it this way: You’re offering training that can strengthen your staff's sense of teamwork. When everyone learns and grows together, it fosters a positive, collaborative work environment.

Tailoring Talent to Fit Your Needs

Another big plus of training your staff is that you can shape them to fit your company’s needs. Instead of hiring someone who was trained according to someone else’s standards, you get to teach them your way of doing things. This can lead to better long-term results since your team is built around the exact skills and processes you prioritize.

Finding the Sweet Spot Between Qualifications and Training

So, should you hire fully qualified staff or train someone with potential? The answer usually lies somewhere in the middle, depending on the role and your business's needs. Yes, that’s right. It’s about finding some sort of balance.

Some Roles Need Qualifications Right Off the Bat

For certain positions, like doctors, lawyers, or skilled tradespeople, qualifications aren’t just a “nice to have”—they’re a requirement. There’s no room for error in these cases, and the expertise that comes with certifications or licenses is crucial for legal compliance and safety. Something like this should be pretty obvious, though.

Culture and Personality Count, Too

It was briefly mentioned earlier, and yes, this deserves more attention. So, in roles where personality and soft skills play a significant part—like customer service, marketing, or management—potential and culture fit can be more important than qualifications. You can teach someone how to use a specific tool or software, but you can’t teach someone to be adaptable, empathetic, or to work well in a team. In those cases, finding the right attitude and investing in training often yields better results.

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