Microsoft is yet again making significant improvements to its IT training certification program. Whilst these changes are supposed to make the Microsoft certification program easier to use, there are some drawbacks involved and whoever has or is thinking of getting Microsoft training will want to be aware of the way the program is changing. It should also be known that professionals who already have Microsoft certifications should also be familiar with these new improvements, as they do have an impact upon some Microsoft certificates.
What Modifications Are Going To Be Made?
Microsoft will be phasing out both the MCITP title plus the MCTS title. These certifications will be substituted with the MCSE and MCSA titles, which were the titles that Microsoft was actually using for the longest time.
However, Microsoft is doing a lot more than just changing the names around. It's also decreasing its standing for the MCITP title, rendering it equivalent to the MCSA title and not to the MCSE title, which is generally looked upon as the top form of Microsoft qualification.
Microsoft is once more making re-certification a requirement for individuals who want to retain the new MCSE or MCSD title. Although this is a requirement which angered numerous certificate holders when Microsoft initially attempted to introduce it, more and more people are coming to realize that ongoing, fast changes in the computer world make it extremely hard for someone to continue to hold to the same level of qualification with no on-going education. MCSE certifications will have to 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 trainees or all those that were trying to employ graduates from Microsoft's certification program. Many organisations were and are still not technologically savvy and for that reason did not comprehend the differences between Microsoft's new certifications types and the company's old ones. This caused it to be challenging for those who were searching for a job, because these individuals had to explain to potential employers what the new forms of certification meant and why they were just as appropriate as the old ones.
One other reason why the initial program change was not appreciated is the fact that Microsoft said that the new certificates would be required to be periodically renewed. However, the company was confusing regarding exactly what needed to be done to acquire certificate renewal and when the certificates would reach their expiration date. Naturally, this created a lot of uncertainty for individuals who were thinking of signing up for the Microsoft training program.
The Way To Upgrade Existing Certificates
Practically all new MCSE, MCSD and MCSA certification tracks offer special upgrade examinations. These examinations center on testing the know-how of a student on the new and changed features of a new technology edition. The prerequisite for these particular upgrade examinations is always one or more valid MCTS or MCITP certifications. Additionally, in case you presently hold a MCITP certification for Windows Server 2008 or Windows 7 you will automatically receive a corresponding MCSA certification.
What Are The Benefits Involved in Upgrading a Microsoft Certificate?
Because Microsoft has just recently changed the certification rules, it is not essential for anyone to instantly upgrade his or her certification. There are lots of employers that are more than happy to employ a person with either a MCITP or MCTS certification, particularly if this individual has experience and can show that he or she is staying current with new developments associated with his or her line of work.
However, sometime soon it will be beneficial for someone to have new upgraded certifications that represent Microsoft's new systems and technologies. While it may require some time and funds to secure a new certification, it really is worth the effort. Besides, the skills acquired under Microsoft's former program do count for something and can be put towards the study requirements for the new type of official certifications (by way of special upgrade examinations). The need to upgrade current certifications is set to become more urgent when businesses begin to use the more recent Microsoft technologies (eg. Windows Server 2012, SQL Server 2012, SharePoint 2013, Exchange 2013 etc).
Microsoft's new certification system has worried some individuals who are thinking about taking a Microsoft training course or have by now taken such a study course. While the changes are not small or light in nature, they are generally advantageous and in the long run will help to correctly reflect the level of training and expertise one has in any given area of IT. Anyone that is currently taking a Microsoft course for one of the more modern technologies will already be using the brand new program and therefore have absolutely nothing to worry about. Simultaneously, those who have old(er) certificates (or what is now named legacy certification) are able to keep employing their old certifications without any problems, although eventually transitioning to a newer certification is unquestionably advisable.
What Modifications Are Going To Be Made?
Microsoft will be phasing out both the MCITP title plus the MCTS title. These certifications will be substituted with the MCSE and MCSA titles, which were the titles that Microsoft was actually using for the longest time.
However, Microsoft is doing a lot more than just changing the names around. It's also decreasing its standing for the MCITP title, rendering it equivalent to the MCSA title and not to the MCSE title, which is generally looked upon as the top form of Microsoft qualification.
Microsoft is once more making re-certification a requirement for individuals who want to retain the new MCSE or MCSD title. Although this is a requirement which angered numerous certificate holders when Microsoft initially attempted to introduce it, more and more people are coming to realize that ongoing, fast changes in the computer world make it extremely hard for someone to continue to hold to the same level of qualification with no on-going education. MCSE certifications will have to 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 trainees or all those that were trying to employ graduates from Microsoft's certification program. Many organisations were and are still not technologically savvy and for that reason did not comprehend the differences between Microsoft's new certifications types and the company's old ones. This caused it to be challenging for those who were searching for a job, because these individuals had to explain to potential employers what the new forms of certification meant and why they were just as appropriate as the old ones.
One other reason why the initial program change was not appreciated is the fact that Microsoft said that the new certificates would be required to be periodically renewed. However, the company was confusing regarding exactly what needed to be done to acquire certificate renewal and when the certificates would reach their expiration date. Naturally, this created a lot of uncertainty for individuals who were thinking of signing up for the Microsoft training program.
The Way To Upgrade Existing Certificates
Practically all new MCSE, MCSD and MCSA certification tracks offer special upgrade examinations. These examinations center on testing the know-how of a student on the new and changed features of a new technology edition. The prerequisite for these particular upgrade examinations is always one or more valid MCTS or MCITP certifications. Additionally, in case you presently hold a MCITP certification for Windows Server 2008 or Windows 7 you will automatically receive a corresponding MCSA certification.
What Are The Benefits Involved in Upgrading a Microsoft Certificate?
Because Microsoft has just recently changed the certification rules, it is not essential for anyone to instantly upgrade his or her certification. There are lots of employers that are more than happy to employ a person with either a MCITP or MCTS certification, particularly if this individual has experience and can show that he or she is staying current with new developments associated with his or her line of work.
However, sometime soon it will be beneficial for someone to have new upgraded certifications that represent Microsoft's new systems and technologies. While it may require some time and funds to secure a new certification, it really is worth the effort. Besides, the skills acquired under Microsoft's former program do count for something and can be put towards the study requirements for the new type of official certifications (by way of special upgrade examinations). The need to upgrade current certifications is set to become more urgent when businesses begin to use the more recent Microsoft technologies (eg. Windows Server 2012, SQL Server 2012, SharePoint 2013, Exchange 2013 etc).
Microsoft's new certification system has worried some individuals who are thinking about taking a Microsoft training course or have by now taken such a study course. While the changes are not small or light in nature, they are generally advantageous and in the long run will help to correctly reflect the level of training and expertise one has in any given area of IT. Anyone that is currently taking a Microsoft course for one of the more modern technologies will already be using the brand new program and therefore have absolutely nothing to worry about. Simultaneously, those who have old(er) certificates (or what is now named legacy certification) are able to keep employing their old certifications without any problems, although eventually transitioning to a newer certification is unquestionably advisable.
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