You should first spring for the basic certs, such as A+ and Network +.. They are a standard in the IT world. Thats were i would start.
Well if he's seriously becoming a Junior System adminastrator, (and likely with desires to move up), I would say skip the basics. I'm sorry to knock the A+, but it's extremely entry level. When are you ever going to actually need to know how much data a 2hd floppy holds? It's kind of useless. If you consider yourself to be computer savy, and have a good amount of computer knowledge. If youi can easily name all parts in a computer, and functions and such and can diagnose a hardware problem, and what not, then you don't need it as a starting point. Really its your call though in the end. An employer will not choose someone over you because they have an A+ and you don't, (assuming you have other certifications).
I would recommend 4 certifications for someone desiring to be a systems administrator.
1.
MCDST - Microsoft Certified Desktop Support Technician
Covers structure of Windows class structure. Goes into depth about privleges, rights, access and permissions to files. Goes into connection problems to a network. This will prove to your employer that on top of being a good systems administrator, you can troubleshoot computers too, showing your versatile and overall very knowledgeable. This gives you good advantage over other applicants. This is a good start in my opinion.
2.
MCSA - Microsoft Certified Systems Adminastrator
Covers Microsoft Certified Systems Administrators (MCSAs) administer network and systems environments based on the Windows operating systems. You can also specialize in security if you want.
3.
CISCO Routing and Switching
This path is for professionals who install and support Cisco technology-based networks in which LAN and WAN routers and switches reside. I would recommend pursuing the CCNP level.
4.
CISCO Network Security
This path is directed toward network professionals who design and implement Cisco Secure networks. I would recommend pursuing the CCSP level.
Start with the A+ if you want. But you could easily skip it if your going to pursue all of those certifications listed above. It would not be held against you as these are all higher level certs.
Networking certifications are vital for a systems administrator. As you would be supervising, or working with someone who is supervising the network of a business. You have to understand how it works, where problems can occur, and be able to diagnose a problem quickly and effectively if one arises. Hence why I recommended two certs that kind of overlap, the MCSA and the Cisco Routing and Switching.
The CISCO Network security certification is important if you one day want to move up in the company. Network security is important for a business, as it likely has important and sensitive information. And they want to know you can keep that information safe.
The MCDST is not vital for a systems administrator, as it is primarily for someone who is going to troubleshoot computer software and hardware problems. However it shows that your well rounded. And if an employer is choosing between 4 other applicants, and he sees you can also troubleshoot computers when something goes wrong, if gives you a big leg up on the competition.
You dont really need to know programming languages to be a systems administrator. You could easily learn HTML in a day, and would be a nice addition to your resume. PHP would also stand out on your resume and give you a leg up. Because you can create PHP applications, and I'm sure your boss would love that.
Systems administrators deal mainly with networking, but the more versatile you are the more likely you are to get the job. So i would say versatility is the most important skill. These days everyone specializes so much, that you might need to hire three guys to do the job one guy should really be able to do.