Guy,

Reading between the lines I suspect you live in the UK? I lived there in the 90's and noted that there were lots of people in IT who didn't have degrees. In Australia and the US, a degree is pretty much a requirement for an IT job. Its probably going the same way in the UK if it hasn't already. Basically you need a degree to get a job. It doesn't necessarily have to be an IT focused degree though. There are lots of things associated with getting a Uni degree that don't necessarily lead directly to a job that are extremely worthwhile but that's probably a topic for another thread.

To answer your question, I don't see any way around. Time will tell if certification is adopted by the industry or not. There seems to be several groups of people pushing hard for that to happen. Looks like modernanalyst may jump on the bandwagon if Craig's post bears fruit!

Until certification becomes a requirement in my market (Australia) to get a job as a BA, I won't be doing it. I work to hard for my cash to throw it away. 

As to how a BA is demonstrably fit for purpose, I think a well thought out list of interview questions and an interview exercise is an effective technique. Its also important to look for potential in people who don't currently have all the skills.

Kimbo

Perhaps the best way to recruit a good BA is to be interviewed by a good BA...

Guy