Originally published January 31, 2019
Last September at Ignite, we announced an evolved approach to Microsoft’s professional training and certifications. Our approach shifted from technology-centric to job role-centric, focused on developing the skills you need to advance in an accelerated and increasingly competitive, cloud-based world. We’ve received great feedback that helped make our training and certifications as relevant as possible to your work. So, we want to catch you up on our progress, share what we’ve learned, and give you a look at our plans for 2019.
New role-based certifications
Remaining relevant means staying ahead of the curve, and Microsoft is committed to helping you keep your skills sharp and stay competitive. To date, we’ve launched new training and exams covering 13 job roles across Apps and Infrastructure, Modern Workplace, Data and AI, and Business Applications.
Here is the latest wave of certifications that have been released:
Microsoft knows you value flexibility. We’ve designed our certifications to fit the learning style that works best for you, including microlearning, online courses, and instructor-led training. Visit Microsoft Learn to peruse step by step tutorials, interactive scripting environments, and task-based achievements that help you advance your technical skills. Instructor-led Microsoft Certified Training courses are flexible, solutions-based, and customized to help sharpen your technical skills and achieve your career goals. However you choose to learn, we’re excited to provide a solution that fits your life.
Our job roles are determined based on extensive market research, and we shaped curriculum to fit those roles with guidance from industry experts. Everything is designed with you in mind, from learning modalities to exam content. To that end, we’re listening and have already incorporated revisions based on your constructive feedback. So, keep it coming! Your feedback will help ensure that the Microsoft Certification Program continues to be a perfect fit for the way you work.
Check out our blogs on modern workplace, Azure apps and infrastructure, data and AI, and business applications for more details on how Microsoft certifications can help you to advance, broadcast your skills, and add value to your team and company.
Moving forward
Over the next few months, we’ll be rolling out additional certifications in Azure security engineering and multiple Dynamics 365 roles. If you’ve been thinking of starting a certification but aren’t sure, consider that a 2018 Deloitte survey highlighted reskilling as a major priority for employers. Research has found that certification improves overall team productivity, reduces costs, and creates jobs*. Moreover, certified talent is key to implementing the cloud-first strategies that keep your business competitive. Our redesigned certifications shift focus from individual technologies to skills and knowledge needed to perform in specific job roles, helping close the skills gap that prevents as many as 68% of organizations from deploying cloud solutions. By designing our content around the job you need to do (rather than the technologies available), we’ve simplified the process of attaining skills and knowledge that add value and help advance your career. Once you’re certified, Microsoft badges make it easy to broadcast your accomplishment and allow others to easily verify your skills. Whether you’re looking to advance in your current role or are planning your next move, Microsoft certifications help you unlock your potential.
*Anderson, Cushing. Cloud Skills and Organizational Influence: How Cloud Skills Are Accelerating the Careers of IT Profe... IDC/Microsoft, May 2017.
