Microsoft is once more making important improvements to its IT training certification program. Whilst these changes are supposed to make the Microsoft certification program much easier to use, there are drawbacks involved and anyone who has or is thinking of getting Microsoft training should understand just how the program is changing. It should also be known that professionals who have already got Microsoft certifications also need to be alert to these new improvements, since they have an impact on a few Microsoft certificates.
What Changes Will Be Made?
Microsoft will be phasing out both the MCITP title and also the MCTS title. These certifications shall be substituted with the MCSE and MCSA titles, which happen to be the titles that Microsoft was formerly utilizing for the longest time.
However, Microsoft is doing much more than merely changing the names around. It is also decreasing its rating for the MCITP title, defining it as the same as the MCSA title but not to the MCSE title, which is widely regarded as the top form of Microsoft qualification.
Microsoft is once more making re-certification required for people who wish to retain the new MCSE or MCSD certification. Even though this is a requirement which angered lots of certificate holders when Microsoft initially tried to introduce it, a lot of people are coming to recognize that ongoing, rapid changes in the computer world make it extremely hard for an individual to continue to hold to the same level of accreditation without on-going training. MCSE certifications will need to be renewed every 3 years and MCSD certifications every 2 years. MCSA certifications are going to have no re-certification requirements.
Why the Modifications?
Microsoft's MCITP and MCTS titles weren't appreciated by both certificate students or those who were seeking to employ graduates from Microsoft's certification program. Many recruiters were and are still not computer savvy and therefore failed to comprehend the differences between Microsoft's new certifications forms and the company's old ones. This made it challenging for those who were searching for a job, as these individuals were required to explain to potential employers just what the new forms of certification meant and why they were as valid as the old ones.
One other reason why the initial program change was not well accepted is the fact that Microsoft stated that the new certificates would need to be routinely renewed. However, the company was vague regarding precisely what needed to be accomplished to achieve certificate renewal and when the certificates would reach their expiration date. Needless to say, this created a large amount of uncertainty for those who were contemplating signing up for the Microsoft training program.
How to Upgrade Existing Certificates
Almost all new MCSE, MCSD and MCSA certification paths offer special upgrade exams. These examinations concentrate on testing the know-how of the student on the new and changed functionalities of a new technology edition. The prerequisite of these upgrade exams is always one or more valid MCTS or MCITP certifications. Moreover, if you currently hold a MCITP certification for Windows Server 2008 or Windows 7 you can expect to automatically be given a corresponding MCSA certification.
What Are The Advantages Involved in Upgrading a Microsoft Certificate?
Because Microsoft has just recently changed the certification rules, it isn't imperative for an individual to immediately upgrade his or her certification. There are many companies who are more than happy to employ a person with either a MCITP or MCTS certification, especially if he or she has experience and can prove that he or she is staying current with new developments connected with his or her type of work.
Having said that, sometime soon it will be necessary for someone to have new upgraded certifications that reflect Microsoft's new standards and technologies. Although it may require some time and your money to acquire a new certification, it will be well worth the effort. Besides, the skills earned under Microsoft's past program do count for something and can be put towards the learning requirements for the new form of certification (by way of special upgrade exams). The call to upgrade current certifications is set to become more urgent when businesses start using the newer Microsoft technologies (eg. Windows Server 2012, SQL Server 2012, SharePoint 2013, Exchange 2013 etc).
Microsoft's new certification system has alarmed some individuals who have been thinking about taking a Microsoft training course or have already taken this type of training course. Although the changes are not small or light in nature, they will be for the most part beneficial and in the long run will help to correctly represent just how much education and expertise a person has in any given subject of IT. Anyone that is presently taking a Microsoft course for one of the newer technologies will already be using the brand new program and so have absolutely nothing to be concerned about. At the same time, anyone who has old(er) certificates (or what is now known as legacy certification) can keep using their old certifications without any problems, despite the fact that ultimately transitioning to a newer certification is certainly recommended.
What Changes Will Be Made?
Microsoft will be phasing out both the MCITP title and also the MCTS title. These certifications shall be substituted with the MCSE and MCSA titles, which happen to be the titles that Microsoft was formerly utilizing for the longest time.
However, Microsoft is doing much more than merely changing the names around. It is also decreasing its rating for the MCITP title, defining it as the same as the MCSA title but not to the MCSE title, which is widely regarded as the top form of Microsoft qualification.
Microsoft is once more making re-certification required for people who wish to retain the new MCSE or MCSD certification. Even though this is a requirement which angered lots of certificate holders when Microsoft initially tried to introduce it, a lot of people are coming to recognize that ongoing, rapid changes in the computer world make it extremely hard for an individual to continue to hold to the same level of accreditation without on-going training. MCSE certifications will need to be renewed every 3 years and MCSD certifications every 2 years. MCSA certifications are going to have no re-certification requirements.
Why the Modifications?
Microsoft's MCITP and MCTS titles weren't appreciated by both certificate students or those who were seeking to employ graduates from Microsoft's certification program. Many recruiters were and are still not computer savvy and therefore failed to comprehend the differences between Microsoft's new certifications forms and the company's old ones. This made it challenging for those who were searching for a job, as these individuals were required to explain to potential employers just what the new forms of certification meant and why they were as valid as the old ones.
One other reason why the initial program change was not well accepted is the fact that Microsoft stated that the new certificates would need to be routinely renewed. However, the company was vague regarding precisely what needed to be accomplished to achieve certificate renewal and when the certificates would reach their expiration date. Needless to say, this created a large amount of uncertainty for those who were contemplating signing up for the Microsoft training program.
How to Upgrade Existing Certificates
Almost all new MCSE, MCSD and MCSA certification paths offer special upgrade exams. These examinations concentrate on testing the know-how of the student on the new and changed functionalities of a new technology edition. The prerequisite of these upgrade exams is always one or more valid MCTS or MCITP certifications. Moreover, if you currently hold a MCITP certification for Windows Server 2008 or Windows 7 you can expect to automatically be given a corresponding MCSA certification.
What Are The Advantages Involved in Upgrading a Microsoft Certificate?
Because Microsoft has just recently changed the certification rules, it isn't imperative for an individual to immediately upgrade his or her certification. There are many companies who are more than happy to employ a person with either a MCITP or MCTS certification, especially if he or she has experience and can prove that he or she is staying current with new developments connected with his or her type of work.
Having said that, sometime soon it will be necessary for someone to have new upgraded certifications that reflect Microsoft's new standards and technologies. Although it may require some time and your money to acquire a new certification, it will be well worth the effort. Besides, the skills earned under Microsoft's past program do count for something and can be put towards the learning requirements for the new form of certification (by way of special upgrade exams). The call to upgrade current certifications is set to become more urgent when businesses start using the newer Microsoft technologies (eg. Windows Server 2012, SQL Server 2012, SharePoint 2013, Exchange 2013 etc).
Microsoft's new certification system has alarmed some individuals who have been thinking about taking a Microsoft training course or have already taken this type of training course. Although the changes are not small or light in nature, they will be for the most part beneficial and in the long run will help to correctly represent just how much education and expertise a person has in any given subject of IT. Anyone that is presently taking a Microsoft course for one of the newer technologies will already be using the brand new program and so have absolutely nothing to be concerned about. At the same time, anyone who has old(er) certificates (or what is now known as legacy certification) can keep using their old certifications without any problems, despite the fact that ultimately transitioning to a newer certification is certainly recommended.
About the Author:
Thinking about getting yourself certified or upgrading your existing certifications? Check out the broad catalog of online it training on our site. Alternatively have a look at the specific online Microsoft training we offer.
No comments:
Post a Comment