Are you stuck in the wrong IT Job. You were so excited when you started your career as an IT professional. You acquired several certifications from several vendors including Microsoft. Your career began as a level 1 help desk professional. Over the years you have developed into a seasoned professional however something just doesn’t feel right.

You’re earning a good living, yet you don’t have the professional freedom you envisioned when you started your career. You get up each Monday with this feeling of dread. You don’t feel fulfilled, and you’ve grown tired of being in a cubicle. There’s got to more to your career and you are on a quest to discover what that looks like.

Getting a rewarding career

After some research and soul searching alone with talking to friends in the industry you decide to move your career in another direction. You’ve developed some solid skills over the years and colleagues come to you from time to time to answer questions when they get stuck.

You realize that you have always been good at teaching others the ropes and you have enjoyed each interaction as well. You have discovered that your level of certification in Microsoft technologies and products meets the basic qualifications for MCT Certification.

Now you need to figure out what Microsoft Certified Trainers do and what’s the benefits of pursuing this certification. Microsoft Certified Trainers are certified by Microsoft to deliver content to other Microsoft professionals and IT professionals seeking Microsoft certifications. Microsoft Certified Trainers have the sole authority to teach from Microsoft’s Official Curriculum (MOC) course ware. Because of this level of certification Microsoft Certified Trainers get benefits that are not available to other IT professionals.

Some of the benefits that Microsoft Certified Trainers receive include deep discounts on books, and exams. The opportunity to participate in the Microsoft Azure Pass Program and Microsoft Beta exams. Microsoft Certified Trainers receive annual vouchers for Microsoft Office Specialist exams, access to the complete library of Microsoft courses and products, Trainer kits for each Microsoft course to help you develop the training skills you need. Microsoft Certified Trainers have full access to all (MOC) online labs, and the trainer kits come complete with slides and tips to further enhance your skills.

As a member of this exclusive club which is membership based and requires an annual renewal fee. Microsoft Certified Trainers get access to their own Job Portal which is only available to MCT’s. The MCT job portal allows Microsoft Certified Trainers to see career opportunities that are posted by Microsoft Education Learning Partners and other MCTs before they become public job posting. Microsoft Certified Trainers have access to a regional MCT lead to answer questions and provide guidance. They receive exclusive invitations directly from Microsoft to participate in events that are for MCT’s only, which is great for networking and honing your training skills.

The Microsoft Certified Trainer certification is perhaps Microsoft most prestigious certification and is the gold standard in technical training while being recognized internationally. The Microsoft Certified Trainer certification began in 1993 as a way of providing training to Microsoft professionals that held Windows 3.1 or Microsoft SQL certification. This certification is now used to teach all products in the Microsoft eco-system.

Requirements for MCT certification

Though the requirements to become a Microsoft Certified Trainer are stringent they are doable. First we need to dispel some of the things you may have heard. Some may have heard that need previous training experience before you can be considered for MCT Certification. You do not need previous training experience. Then you may have been told you need to be sponsored or recommended. Neither of these are correct.

Here is what you need to become a Microsoft Certified Trainer

• You must possess a qualifying Microsoft Certification
• You must attend a Microsoft Instructional Skills course from a Microsoft approved provider.

To see a complete list of qualifying exams/certifications visit Microsoft’s website. You can also access the complete list by visiting Fourth Dimension Technologies Inc FAQ and Requirements.

Selecting a provider

You must select a provider for your Microsoft Instructional Skills course that is a Microsoft approved provider of instructional skills certification.

Not all Microsoft Education Learning Partners of Approved to Provide MCT Training. There are roughly nine (9) or ten (10) approved providers that can issue your certificate of completion for instructional skills.

There is currently only one (1) provider that provides this service to the global community. Check with the providers directly to see if they have an offer in your region.

Do not take your course from firms that are not on the approved list.

Good luck in becoming a Microsoft Certified Trainer