Sadly, "buzzword compliance" is a necessity to get through HR screening - even when you know the manager and she/he wants to hire you. I have more "golden tickets" than I care to keep track of. I just add new ones to my resume as I acquire them.

While continuing education is a good thing, too many of these certificate programs are far more about raking in profits for the businesses selling the course materials and providing instructors than improving the actual skills of the workforce.