Microsoft is once more making major modifications to its IT training certification program. While these changes are supposed to make the Microsoft certification program easier to use, there are drawbacks involved and anyone who has or is considering getting Microsoft training need to be familiar with just how the program is evolving. It should also be known that those who have already got Microsoft certifications also need to be alert to these new changes, since they will have an impact on some Microsoft certificates.
What Improvements Are Going To Be Made?
Microsoft is phasing out both of the MCITP title plus the MCTS title. These titles are going to be substituted with the MCSE and MCSA titles, which had been the titles that Microsoft was originally using for the longest time period.
Nevertheless, Microsoft is doing a lot more than merely changing the names around. It is also lowering its rating for the MCITP title, so that it is equal to the MCSA title and not to the MCSE title, which is generally regarded as being the premium form of Microsoft certification.
Microsoft is once again making re-certification a requisite for individuals who wish to retain the new MCSE or MCSD certification. Although this is a requirement that angered lots of certification holders when Microsoft initially tried to introduce it, many people are coming to recognize that ongoing, rapid changes in the technology world make it unachievable for an individual to continue to hold to the same level of certification with no on-going training. 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 Modifications?
Microsoft's MCITP and MCTS titles were not received well by both certificate students or all those that were looking to hire graduate students from Microsoft's certification program. A good number of organisations were and are still not technically savvy and for that reason failed to understand the differences between Microsoft's new certifications forms and the company's old ones. This caused it to be difficult for individuals who were searching for a job, since these individuals needed to explain to possible employers precisely what the new types of certification meant and why they were every bit as valid as the old ones.
Another reason why the initial program change was not well received is the fact that Microsoft declared that the new certificates would need to be routinely renewed. However, the company was unclear regarding what exactly would have to be accomplished to achieve certificate renewal and when the certificates would reach their expiration date. Naturally, this situation created a large amount of uncertainty for individuals who were thinking about signing up for the Microsoft training program.
The Way To Upgrade Current Certificates
Almost all new MCSE, MCSD and MCSA certification tracks offer special upgrade examinations. These exams focus on testing the know-how of the student on the new and changed functionalities of a new technology version. The prerequisite for these particular upgrade examinations is always one or more valid MCTS or MCITP certifications. Moreover, in the event you currently hold a MCITP certification for Windows Server 2008 or Windows 7 you will automatically be given a corresponding MCSA certification.
What Are The Benefits Involved in Upgrading a Microsoft Certification?
Given that Microsoft has just recently changed the certification rules, it is not essential for someone to right away upgrade his or her certification. There are many 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 prove that he or she is staying current with new developments associated with his or her type of work.
Nonetheless, down the road it becomes beneficial for someone to have new upgraded certifications that represent Microsoft's new standards and technologies. Whilst it might require some time and cash to acquire a new certification, it is worth the effort. Furthermore, the skills accumulated under Microsoft's former program do count for something and can be put towards the learning requirements for the new kind of official certifications (via special upgrade examinations). The call to upgrade existing certifications is set to become more urgent when corporations begin using the newer Microsoft technology versions (eg. Windows Server 2012, SQL Server 2012, SharePoint 2013, Exchange 2013 etc).
Microsoft's new certification system has alarmed some people that are thinking of taking a Microsoft training program or have already taken this kind of study 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 properly reflect precisely how much education and expertise an individual has in any given field of IT. Any person who is currently taking a Microsoft training course for one of the more modern technology versions will already be using the new program and for that reason have nothing to worry about. At the same time, anyone who has old(er) certificates (or what is now known as legacy certification) are able to keep employing their old certifications with no problems, although ultimately transitioning to a newer certification is definitely a good idea.
What Improvements Are Going To Be Made?
Microsoft is phasing out both of the MCITP title plus the MCTS title. These titles are going to be substituted with the MCSE and MCSA titles, which had been the titles that Microsoft was originally using for the longest time period.
Nevertheless, Microsoft is doing a lot more than merely changing the names around. It is also lowering its rating for the MCITP title, so that it is equal to the MCSA title and not to the MCSE title, which is generally regarded as being the premium form of Microsoft certification.
Microsoft is once again making re-certification a requisite for individuals who wish to retain the new MCSE or MCSD certification. Although this is a requirement that angered lots of certification holders when Microsoft initially tried to introduce it, many people are coming to recognize that ongoing, rapid changes in the technology world make it unachievable for an individual to continue to hold to the same level of certification with no on-going training. 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 Modifications?
Microsoft's MCITP and MCTS titles were not received well by both certificate students or all those that were looking to hire graduate students from Microsoft's certification program. A good number of organisations were and are still not technically savvy and for that reason failed to understand the differences between Microsoft's new certifications forms and the company's old ones. This caused it to be difficult for individuals who were searching for a job, since these individuals needed to explain to possible employers precisely what the new types of certification meant and why they were every bit as valid as the old ones.
Another reason why the initial program change was not well received is the fact that Microsoft declared that the new certificates would need to be routinely renewed. However, the company was unclear regarding what exactly would have to be accomplished to achieve certificate renewal and when the certificates would reach their expiration date. Naturally, this situation created a large amount of uncertainty for individuals who were thinking about signing up for the Microsoft training program.
The Way To Upgrade Current Certificates
Almost all new MCSE, MCSD and MCSA certification tracks offer special upgrade examinations. These exams focus on testing the know-how of the student on the new and changed functionalities of a new technology version. The prerequisite for these particular upgrade examinations is always one or more valid MCTS or MCITP certifications. Moreover, in the event you currently hold a MCITP certification for Windows Server 2008 or Windows 7 you will automatically be given a corresponding MCSA certification.
What Are The Benefits Involved in Upgrading a Microsoft Certification?
Given that Microsoft has just recently changed the certification rules, it is not essential for someone to right away upgrade his or her certification. There are many 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 prove that he or she is staying current with new developments associated with his or her type of work.
Nonetheless, down the road it becomes beneficial for someone to have new upgraded certifications that represent Microsoft's new standards and technologies. Whilst it might require some time and cash to acquire a new certification, it is worth the effort. Furthermore, the skills accumulated under Microsoft's former program do count for something and can be put towards the learning requirements for the new kind of official certifications (via special upgrade examinations). The call to upgrade existing certifications is set to become more urgent when corporations begin using the newer Microsoft technology versions (eg. Windows Server 2012, SQL Server 2012, SharePoint 2013, Exchange 2013 etc).
Microsoft's new certification system has alarmed some people that are thinking of taking a Microsoft training program or have already taken this kind of study 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 properly reflect precisely how much education and expertise an individual has in any given field of IT. Any person who is currently taking a Microsoft training course for one of the more modern technology versions will already be using the new program and for that reason have nothing to worry about. At the same time, anyone who has old(er) certificates (or what is now known as legacy certification) are able to keep employing their old certifications with no problems, although ultimately transitioning to a newer certification is definitely a good idea.
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