Pearson and Salesforce announce exclusive partnership to expand global certification and digital skills development

Pearson and Salesforce announce exclusive partnership to expand global certification and digital skills development

(IN BRIEF) Pearson and Salesforce have signed a multi-year global agreement making Pearson VUE the exclusive provider of Salesforce certification exams. The collaboration offers professionals a simplified certification pathway with 80 exam options and flexible delivery formats, including online, test centers, and event-based testing. Leaders from both organizations stressed the role of certification in helping individuals validate expertise, advance their careers, and enable businesses to adopt Salesforce’s AI-driven CRM capabilities more effectively. Backed by Pearson’s 2025 IT Certification Report, which shows strong career benefits for certified professionals, the partnership underscores a commitment to scaling skills development in the digital economy.

(PRESS RELEASE) LONDON, 9-Sep-2025 — /EuropaWire/ —  Pearson, together with its assessment division Pearson VUE, has entered into an exclusive multi-year collaboration with Salesforce to become the worldwide provider of Salesforce certification exams. This new agreement strengthens the companies’ shared goal of building a future-ready workforce equipped with the skills demanded by rapid advances in digital transformation and AI.

Salesforce certifications are designed to ensure that professionals can adapt to the platform’s evolving features, from AI-driven automation to customer relationship management capabilities. With Pearson VUE’s globally trusted computer-based testing infrastructure, candidates will now benefit from a unified, streamlined certification journey, making the process more accessible and efficient than ever.

Dr. Gary Gates, Managing Director at Pearson VUE, emphasized the long-term vision: “This collaboration with Salesforce represents a significant investment in global skills development. By integrating our secure, seamless testing systems into the Salesforce certification framework, we are helping individuals demonstrate verified expertise and enabling organizations to strengthen performance at scale.”

The partnership introduces an expanded certification pathway that covers 80 distinct Salesforce exams, ranging from foundational skills such as Salesforce Administrator to specialized credentials like Agentforce Specialist. Candidates will be able to choose between three delivery methods: remote proctoring via OnVUE, in-person testing at Pearson VUE’s worldwide network of centers, or event-based assessments hosted at client locations.

Sanjeev Balakrishnan, EVP of Customer Success at Salesforce, highlighted the growing importance of certifications in a fast-changing business environment: “As enterprises embrace AI-powered digital transformation, professionals with Salesforce expertise are vital to unlocking new efficiencies across sales, service, and marketing. Certification is how they prove readiness to lead their organizations through this shift. With Pearson, we can bring these opportunities to more people worldwide.”

Research underlines the career impact of IT certification: according to Pearson’s 2025 Value of IT Certification Candidate Report, more than 70% of certified professionals reported improved productivity and innovation, and 63% gained or expected promotions linked to their certification achievements.

Through this collaboration, Pearson and Salesforce are equipping individuals and employers with the verified skills necessary to compete in a digital-first economy while accelerating the professional growth of a new generation of technology leaders.

About Pearson

At Pearson, our purpose is simple: to help people realize the life they imagine through learning. We believe that every learning opportunity is a chance for a personal breakthrough. That’s why our c. 18,000 Pearson employees are committed to creating vibrant and enriching learning experiences designed for real-life impact. We are the world’s lifelong learning company, serving customers in nearly 200 countries with digital content, assessments, qualifications, and data. For us, learning isn’t just what we do. It’s who we are. Visit us at plc.pearson.com

About Pearson VUE

A business unit within Pearson, the world’s lifelong learning company, Pearson VUE empowers people to transform their lives through learning, upskilling, and credentialing. The global leader in high-stakes assessments that verify knowledge and uphold professional standards, every day we build upon our industry legacy while embracing an AI-driven future. We provide testing options through 20,000 test centers and online proctoring in more than 180 countries and territories, and every year we develop and deliver close to 21 million exams. That’s one test every 1.5 seconds — providing life-changing opportunities to people everywhere. And our Pearson Skilling Suite features technology-focused learning for professionals, helping fuel progress and strengthen organizations by upskilling the workforce of the future. To learn more, visit PearsonVUE.com.

Media Contact:

Greg.forbes@pearson.com

SOURCE: Pearson