Atlas·Certification coverage updated 2026-09-22

The map of UK tech roles, certs and specialisms.

Atlas shows how 15 domains, 74 roles and 96 certifications connect, and the realistic routes between them. Pick a starting point and a destination to see the path.

Certification records: 89 available or retiring · 7 historical. Counts include separate exam records; check each record for its source date.

Hover for context, click a domain to drill in.Tap a domain to open it, then tap any role or cert for the detail.

01 · Explore

Not sure which role?

Browse the domains and inspect the work behind a title. You do not need a destination yet.

Explore the map

02 · Plan

Have a move in mind?

Choose a starting role and a destination. Investigate the transitions, then build a free Route Brief.

03 · Try an example

See how it works.

Follow IT Support towards Cloud Engineer. This is an illustration to question, not a recommended route for everyone.

Try the cloud example

Start here

What am I looking at?

Tap to read

The Atlas is a map of how technology careers actually connect. Each cluster is a domain: cloud, security, infrastructure, data, GRC, and so on. Inside a domain you'll find the roles that live there and the certifications that carry weight for those roles.

It's not a roadmap or a course. It's a way to see, before you commit, what's next door to what. Which roles share skills, which transitions are realistic, and which "obvious" jumps actually skip three years of operational depth.

Start by clicking a domain below. Then click any role or cert for the practitioner take. If you want a specific route plotted, use the Route button on the map.

How routes work, market context and observations

Atlas Research. Market Note.

UK Technology Market Note. Mid-2026.

What changed in cloud, cybersecurity, networking and infrastructure hiring in the first half of the year.

Read the note

Named observations

See all

Patterns TechWaymark keeps seeing across roles, certs and hiring briefs.

Cert Stacking
Candidates keep adding the next cert in a vendor ladder instead of doing the work the previous cert implied, then walk into interviews where the gap between paper progression and operational evidence is the first thing the panel tests.

Using the Atlas with students? There is a free printable classroom activity for schools and colleges.For educators

Level1·Overview

Lines show common career transitions between domains. Labelled lines carry a TechWaymark verdict, click one to read it.

The map

15 domains · 74 roles · 96 certs

Tap a region to drill in. The colour codes the discipline.

Foundations

Where most realistic careers begin.

Operational security

Defensive operations and incident response.

Cloud & platform

Build, run and secure modern infrastructure.

Engineering & data

Portfolio-driven engineering tracks.

Specialist & leadership

Entered later, after a primary track.

The full interactive map is easier to explore on a larger screen.

The map

15 domains · 74 roles · 96 certifications. Hover any to see what connects to what.

Hover any solid line for the practitioner take on that move · click a domain to focus

Many routes, one destination

There is no single 'right' certification. Adjacent paths often reach the same role.

Skills outlast certifications

Networking, Linux, scripting, and IAM compound across every domain.

Progress is non-linear

Most senior engineers moved laterally at least once before specializing.