Smart Certifications, Smarter Budgets: How to Build a Skilled IT Team with Low-Cost Exams—and Even Lower Risk

Key Takeaways

• Budget-conscious businesses can build skilled IT teams without overspending on training.

• Low-cost, high-value certifications offer a smart way to upskill early-career and entry-level talent.

• ACI Learning delivers hands-on, scalable training solutions through on-demand and instructor-led formats.

• Organizations can improve retention, close skills gaps internally, and increase performance through outcome-based certification training.

• Use tools like ROI calculators to measure cost savings and performance improvements from structured upskilling.

Why Training Budgets Need Smarter Strategies

IT leaders are being asked to meet accelerating workforce demands with flat or shrinking budgets. At the same time, industry certifications have become essential for technical credibility and career progression.

The question isn’t whether to invest in training—it’s how to do it strategically.

How can we upskill early-career IT talent—without overextending the budget?

The answer: focus on high-impact, low-cost certifications that deliver proven workforce value—and build training plans that prepare your team to earn them.

5 Entry-Level IT Certifications That Maximize Budget Impact

These entry-level certifications are widely recognized, cost-effective to test for, and aligned with critical technical skills for support, networking, and cloud roles.

📌 CompTIA ITF+

• Exam Cost: $134

• Ideal For: Digital literacy, career changers

📌 Cisco Certified Support Technician (CCST)

• Exam Cost: $125

• Ideal For: Early networking roles

📌 Microsoft Azure Fundamentals

• Exam Cost: $99

• Ideal For: Junior cloud support roles

📌 AWS Certified Cloud Practitioner

• Exam Cost: $100

• Ideal For: Cloud upskilling pathway

📌 Linux Essentials

• Exam Cost: $120

• Ideal For: Helpdesk and Linux environments

While the certification exams are not included, ACI Learning offers robust training mapped to each of these certifications—helping teams prepare with confidence through structured learning paths, hands-on labs, and expert-led instruction.

👉 Explore the full course catalog On-Demand IT & Cybersecurity Training Courses

Why Business Leaders Choose ACI Learning

ACI Learning enables business and IT leaders to:

• Reduce cost-per-hire by developing internal talent instead of relying on external recruitment.

• Boost certification success rates through structured, role-aligned training.

• Maximize training ROI with scalable options that fit budgets and timelines.

• Track team progress and skills development through the myACI platform.

Whether you’re building a helpdesk team from the ground up or training generalists to become cloud specialists, our platform provides the structure and support your organization needs to upskill effectively.

Learn more: On-Demand Training for Tech Teams

What’s the Cost of NOT Training?

Upskilling your team is a business decision—one that should show measurable return. What do you need to consider to ensure you'll get the right results?

• The true cost of hiring vs. training

• The productivity losses from skills gaps

• The return on investment for structured certification training

Calculate savings, estimate impact, and plan your budget around real outcomes—not assumptions.

Read more: The ROI of IT Training: Why Now Is the Time to Invest

The Bottom Line

You don’t need a massive training budget to build a pipeline of certified, high-performing IT professionals. You need smart certification strategies, flexible delivery formats, and a partner that aligns learning with real business goals.

ACI Learning offers expert-led, certification-aligned training that equips your team to succeed—while helping you stay within budget, track progress, and measure outcomes.

Looking to scale your team’s capabilities? Let’s talk: Contact ACI Learning

Frequently Asked Questions

Does ACI Learning include the certification exam?
No. ACI Learning provides training aligned to industry certifications, but exam fees are not included in our programs. Our goal is to prepare your team for certification success through structured instruction and practice resources.

What makes these certifications a good investment?
They’re low-cost to test for and build foundational, in-demand skills—making them ideal for entry-level and early-career employees. They also serve as stepping stones to more advanced certifications.

Can we track team progress and performance?
Yes. With myACI, managers and admins can view learner progress, course completions, and assessment performance to understand outcomes and ROI.

Is training customizable to different job roles?
Absolutely. Our platform supports role-based learning paths and flexible formats to meet your team’s specific needs across IT, cybersecurity, and audit.

Do you offer both on-demand and live training?
Yes. ACI Learning provides both asynchronous (on-demand) and instructor-led (live) training options, giving your team the flexibility to learn at their own pace—or in real time.