Microsoft is once again making major changes to its IT training certification program. Whilst these changes are meant to make the Microsoft certification program much easier to use, there are some drawbacks involved and anyone who has or is looking at getting Microsoft training ought to pay attention to just how the program is changing. It should also be pointed out that those who already have Microsoft certifications must also be aware of these new modifications, since they do have an impact on a few Microsoft certificates.
What Changes Are Being Made?
Microsoft is phasing out both the MCITP title and the MCTS title. Those titles will be substituted with the MCSE and MCSA titles, which had been the titles that Microsoft was formerly utilizing for the longest time period.
Having said that, Microsoft does much more than merely changing the names around. Also, it is lowering its standing for the MCITP title, defining it as equal to the MCSA title and not to the MCSE title, which is widely considered to be the premium form of Microsoft certification.
Microsoft is once more making re-certification a requirement for those who wish to retain the new MCSE or MCSD title. Although this is a requirement that angered lots of certification holders when Microsoft initially attempted to introduce it, many people are coming to recognize that continuous, rapid changes in the computer world make it impossible for a person to continue to hold to the same level of certification with no regular training. MCSE certifications must be renewed every 3 years and MCSD certifications every 2 years. MCSA certifications have no re-certification requirements.
Why the Changes?
Microsoft's MCITP and MCTS titles were not received well by either certificate students or those who were trying to employ graduates from Microsoft's certification program. Lots of recruiters were and are still not technically savvy and so did not understand the differences between Microsoft's new certifications forms and the company's old ones. This caused it to be challenging for those who were looking for a job, as these individuals were forced to explain to possible employers precisely what the new forms of certification meant and why they were as appropriate as the old ones.
One other reason why the initial program change was not appreciated is the fact that Microsoft stated that the new certificates would be required to be routinely renewed. However, the company was confusing regarding precisely what needed to be done to get hold of certificate renewal and even when the certificates would expire. As you can imagine, this approach created a great deal of uncertainty for those that were thinking of signing up for the Microsoft training program.
The Way To Upgrade Current Certificates
The majority of new MCSE, MCSD and MCSA certification paths provide special upgrade examinations. These examinations focus on testing the knowledge of a student on the new and changed features of a new technology edition. The prerequisite for these upgrade exams is always one or more valid MCTS or MCITP certifications. Furthermore, in case you presently hold a MCITP certification for Windows Server 2008 or Windows 7 you can expect to automatically receive a corresponding MCSA certification.
What Are The Benefits Involved in Upgrading a Microsoft Certification?
Given that Microsoft just recently changed the certification rules, it isn't imperative for someone to right away upgrade his or her certification. There are plenty of businesses who are more than happy to hire a person with either a MCITP or MCTS certification, particularly if he or she has experience and can demonstrate that he or she is staying current with new developments related to his or her type of work.
Even so, down the road it becomes necessary for an individual to have new upgraded certifications that reflect Microsoft's new systems and technologies. Whilst it may require some time and funds to acquire a new certification, it really is worth the effort. Additionally, the skills acquired under Microsoft's previous program do count for something and can be put towards the study requirements for the new type of certification (via special upgrade exams). The necessity to upgrade present certifications will be more urgent when businesses begin to use the newer Microsoft technologies (eg. Windows Server 2012, SQL Server 2012, SharePoint 2013, Exchange 2013 etcetera).
Microsoft's new certification program has worried some people who have been considering taking a Microsoft training program or have already taken this kind of course. Whilst the changes are not small or light in nature, they are generally speaking beneficial and in the long run will help to correctly represent the level of education and expertise an individual has in any given field of IT. Anyone that is at this time taking a Microsoft training course for one of the more recent technology versions will already be using the new program and thus have nothing to be concerned about. At the same time, those who have old(er) certificates (or what is now called legacy certification) can keep utilizing their old certifications with no problems, despite the fact that eventually transitioning to a newer certification is certainly recommended.
What Changes Are Being Made?
Microsoft is phasing out both the MCITP title and the MCTS title. Those titles will be substituted with the MCSE and MCSA titles, which had been the titles that Microsoft was formerly utilizing for the longest time period.
Having said that, Microsoft does much more than merely changing the names around. Also, it is lowering its standing for the MCITP title, defining it as equal to the MCSA title and not to the MCSE title, which is widely considered to be the premium form of Microsoft certification.
Microsoft is once more making re-certification a requirement for those who wish to retain the new MCSE or MCSD title. Although this is a requirement that angered lots of certification holders when Microsoft initially attempted to introduce it, many people are coming to recognize that continuous, rapid changes in the computer world make it impossible for a person to continue to hold to the same level of certification with no regular training. MCSE certifications must be renewed every 3 years and MCSD certifications every 2 years. MCSA certifications have no re-certification requirements.
Why the Changes?
Microsoft's MCITP and MCTS titles were not received well by either certificate students or those who were trying to employ graduates from Microsoft's certification program. Lots of recruiters were and are still not technically savvy and so did not understand the differences between Microsoft's new certifications forms and the company's old ones. This caused it to be challenging for those who were looking for a job, as these individuals were forced to explain to possible employers precisely what the new forms of certification meant and why they were as appropriate as the old ones.
One other reason why the initial program change was not appreciated is the fact that Microsoft stated that the new certificates would be required to be routinely renewed. However, the company was confusing regarding precisely what needed to be done to get hold of certificate renewal and even when the certificates would expire. As you can imagine, this approach created a great deal of uncertainty for those that were thinking of signing up for the Microsoft training program.
The Way To Upgrade Current Certificates
The majority of new MCSE, MCSD and MCSA certification paths provide special upgrade examinations. These examinations focus on testing the knowledge of a student on the new and changed features of a new technology edition. The prerequisite for these upgrade exams is always one or more valid MCTS or MCITP certifications. Furthermore, in case you presently hold a MCITP certification for Windows Server 2008 or Windows 7 you can expect to automatically receive a corresponding MCSA certification.
What Are The Benefits Involved in Upgrading a Microsoft Certification?
Given that Microsoft just recently changed the certification rules, it isn't imperative for someone to right away upgrade his or her certification. There are plenty of businesses who are more than happy to hire a person with either a MCITP or MCTS certification, particularly if he or she has experience and can demonstrate that he or she is staying current with new developments related to his or her type of work.
Even so, down the road it becomes necessary for an individual to have new upgraded certifications that reflect Microsoft's new systems and technologies. Whilst it may require some time and funds to acquire a new certification, it really is worth the effort. Additionally, the skills acquired under Microsoft's previous program do count for something and can be put towards the study requirements for the new type of certification (via special upgrade exams). The necessity to upgrade present certifications will be more urgent when businesses begin to use the newer Microsoft technologies (eg. Windows Server 2012, SQL Server 2012, SharePoint 2013, Exchange 2013 etcetera).
Microsoft's new certification program has worried some people who have been considering taking a Microsoft training program or have already taken this kind of course. Whilst the changes are not small or light in nature, they are generally speaking beneficial and in the long run will help to correctly represent the level of education and expertise an individual has in any given field of IT. Anyone that is at this time taking a Microsoft training course for one of the more recent technology versions will already be using the new program and thus have nothing to be concerned about. At the same time, those who have old(er) certificates (or what is now called legacy certification) can keep utilizing their old certifications with no problems, despite the fact that eventually transitioning to a newer certification is certainly recommended.
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Considering getting yourself certified or upgrading your existing certifications? View the broad catalog of IT courses on our website. Alternatively have a look at the specific Microsoft e-learning training we offer.
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