Microsoft is once again making significant improvements to its IT training certification program. While these changes are meant to make the Microsoft certification program easier to use, there are a few drawbacks involved and whoever has or is thinking of getting Microsoft training need to pay attention to just how the program is changing. It should also be known that professionals who already have Microsoft certifications also need to be knowledgeable of these new changes, because they do have an impact upon a few Microsoft certificates.
What Improvements Are Being Made?
Microsoft is phasing out both of the MCITP title as well as the MCTS title. Those certifications are going to be replaced by the MCSE and MCSA titles, which happen to be the titles that Microsoft had been formerly utilizing for the longest period.
Even so, Microsoft is doing a lot more than merely changing the names around. It is also lowering its rating for the MCITP title, making it comparable to the MCSA title and not to the MCSE title, which is generally widely known as the top form of Microsoft qualification.
Microsoft is once again making re-certification a requisite for those who wish to keep the new MCSE or MCSD certification. Even though this is a requirement that angered many certification holders when Microsoft initially tried to introduce it, increasing numbers of people are beginning to realize that continuous, rapid changes in the technology world make it unachievable for an individual to continue to hold to the same level of qualification without regular 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 appreciated by either certificate trainees or all those that were seeking to employ graduate students from Microsoft's certification program. Lots of organisations were and are still not technically savvy and thus failed to understand the differences between Microsoft's new certifications types and the company's old ones. This meant it was challenging for individuals who were looking for a job, since these individuals needed to explain to potential employers precisely what the new types of certification meant and why they were just as valid as the old ones.
One more reason why the initial program change was not well received is the fact that Microsoft said that the new certificates would have to be routinely renewed. However, the company was confusing regarding what needed to be accomplished to get hold of certificate renewal and when the certificates would expire. Naturally, this approach created a lot of uncertainty for individuals who were thinking of getting started with the Microsoft training program.
How to Upgrade Current Certificates
Practically all new MCSE, MCSD and MCSA certification paths offer special upgrade examinations. These examinations focus on testing the knowledge of a student on the new and changed features of a new technology version. The precondition of these upgrade exams is always one or more valid MCTS or MCITP certifications. Furthermore, if you presently hold a MCITP certification for Windows Server 2008 or Windows 7 you will automatically be given a corresponding MCSA certification.
Are There Any Advantages Involved in Upgrading a Microsoft Certification?
Because Microsoft just recently changed the certification rules, it isn't imperative for someone to right away upgrade his or her certification. There are many employers who are more than happy to hire a person with either a MCITP or MCTS certification, particularly if this individual has experience and can prove that he or she is staying abreast of new developments associated with his or her line of work.
Even so, sometime soon it will be beneficial for people to have new upgraded certifications that represent Microsoft's new standards and technologies. Although it may require some time and funds to acquire a new certification, it is well worth the effort. Furthermore, the skills acquired under Microsoft's past program do count for something and can be put towards the study requirements for the new kind of accreditation (by way of special upgrade examinations). The necessity to upgrade existing certifications will be more urgent when companies 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 alarmed some individuals that are thinking of taking a Microsoft training program or have by now taken this kind of study course. Even though the changes are not small or light in nature, they really are generally advantageous and in the long run will help to correctly represent just how much education and knowledge a person has in any given area of IT. Any person who is presently taking a Microsoft course for one of the more modern technologies will already be using the brand-new program and thus have absolutely nothing to worry about. At the same time, those who have old(er) certificates (or what is now known as legacy certification) are able to keep employing their old certifications with no problems, whilst at some point transitioning to a current certification is certainly highly recommended.
What Improvements Are Being Made?
Microsoft is phasing out both of the MCITP title as well as the MCTS title. Those certifications are going to be replaced by the MCSE and MCSA titles, which happen to be the titles that Microsoft had been formerly utilizing for the longest period.
Even so, Microsoft is doing a lot more than merely changing the names around. It is also lowering its rating for the MCITP title, making it comparable to the MCSA title and not to the MCSE title, which is generally widely known as the top form of Microsoft qualification.
Microsoft is once again making re-certification a requisite for those who wish to keep the new MCSE or MCSD certification. Even though this is a requirement that angered many certification holders when Microsoft initially tried to introduce it, increasing numbers of people are beginning to realize that continuous, rapid changes in the technology world make it unachievable for an individual to continue to hold to the same level of qualification without regular 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 appreciated by either certificate trainees or all those that were seeking to employ graduate students from Microsoft's certification program. Lots of organisations were and are still not technically savvy and thus failed to understand the differences between Microsoft's new certifications types and the company's old ones. This meant it was challenging for individuals who were looking for a job, since these individuals needed to explain to potential employers precisely what the new types of certification meant and why they were just as valid as the old ones.
One more reason why the initial program change was not well received is the fact that Microsoft said that the new certificates would have to be routinely renewed. However, the company was confusing regarding what needed to be accomplished to get hold of certificate renewal and when the certificates would expire. Naturally, this approach created a lot of uncertainty for individuals who were thinking of getting started with the Microsoft training program.
How to Upgrade Current Certificates
Practically all new MCSE, MCSD and MCSA certification paths offer special upgrade examinations. These examinations focus on testing the knowledge of a student on the new and changed features of a new technology version. The precondition of these upgrade exams is always one or more valid MCTS or MCITP certifications. Furthermore, if you presently hold a MCITP certification for Windows Server 2008 or Windows 7 you will automatically be given a corresponding MCSA certification.
Are There Any Advantages Involved in Upgrading a Microsoft Certification?
Because Microsoft just recently changed the certification rules, it isn't imperative for someone to right away upgrade his or her certification. There are many employers who are more than happy to hire a person with either a MCITP or MCTS certification, particularly if this individual has experience and can prove that he or she is staying abreast of new developments associated with his or her line of work.
Even so, sometime soon it will be beneficial for people to have new upgraded certifications that represent Microsoft's new standards and technologies. Although it may require some time and funds to acquire a new certification, it is well worth the effort. Furthermore, the skills acquired under Microsoft's past program do count for something and can be put towards the study requirements for the new kind of accreditation (by way of special upgrade examinations). The necessity to upgrade existing certifications will be more urgent when companies 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 alarmed some individuals that are thinking of taking a Microsoft training program or have by now taken this kind of study course. Even though the changes are not small or light in nature, they really are generally advantageous and in the long run will help to correctly represent just how much education and knowledge a person has in any given area of IT. Any person who is presently taking a Microsoft course for one of the more modern technologies will already be using the brand-new program and thus have absolutely nothing to worry about. At the same time, those who have old(er) certificates (or what is now known as legacy certification) are able to keep employing their old certifications with no problems, whilst at some point transitioning to a current certification is certainly highly recommended.
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