Even a cursory glance at our (and other) jobs boards reveals a growing demand for administrators and developers on the Force.com platform. IdeaExchange has this great post where you developers and admins are saying things like:

• “It’s easier to get funding for courses that are part of a certification program that a stand alone course”
• “[I was] overlooked due to the inability to really affirm my prowess with Salesforce.com”
• “That would be good for SFDC, their users and for my CV”

Well, pretty soon you will be able to join and attend courses for a certification program, affirm your prowess and improve your CV.
Education Services are rolling out Developer and Admin Certification, globally, over the next two or three quarters. It will soon be available in the Americas, and a little later in EMEA.
Read our Guide to Certification to learn more about the certification process, access free study guides and to register for any of the certification programs.
I think this is a significant development for our community. Let me know what your take is.