Don’t get in your way of Becoming an MCT. The world of IT certification is mysterious. There are several vendors to select from. Microsoft, CompTIA, Cisco, LPI and others. All certifications are not equal. Microsoft technology remains the most widely used in the industry.  Novell was the operating system of choice and therefore an early pioneer in IT certification. Microsoft followed this path in 1992 with the introduction of Windows 3.1 and Microsoft SQL. They followed up in 1993 with the introduction of the Microsoft MCT Program. Microsoft GUI interface became an instant success and the operating system of choice for corporate America.

When then witnessed a host of vendors began to offer their products, services, and certification program. This included CompTIA, Cisco, Sun Microsystems, Oracle, and others. The world of certification training was now here to stay. Many IT professionals that developed their skills through good old-fashioned trial and error have never embraced this process. It is the market that dictates what skills are needed, and how those skills will be measured. The market has spoken, and certification-based training has won the day.

The best certifications is a debate that can go on for decades. The truth is that corporations large and small seek skills that position them for success. As stated earlier Microsoft continues to harness much of what users interact with on the desktop. That translates to skills that must be developed around Microsoft products. That holds true in Azure cloud computing, Data Analytics’, Cybersecurity, Microsoft 365 family and other Microsoft products.

Several Microsoft professionals that currently hold premier certifications have fully understood the power of their certification. These professionals use their skills daily in their professional lives while never developing their skills away from highly technical disciplines.  They apply these skills routinely and for good earnings, yet many remain unfulfilled. These professionals have developed the expertise to have the answers around complex technical issues, be able to explain the complexities to others, but have the patience to train new workers. You would think with all this hidden knowledge and earning power these highly skilled professionals never come close to maximizing their talent.

Using your Microsoft Certification

Now is the perfect time to unlock your hidden talent and earning power. Microsoft Professionals that hold Microsoft premier certifications at the associate and or expert levels qualify to become members of perhaps that most exclusive and prestigious club in all of IT. I am talking about becoming a Microsoft Certified Trainer. I bet you did not know there were less than 20,000 MCT’s worldwide?

Microsoft Certified Trainers are the only trainers that have the sole authority from Microsoft to deliver and teach Microsoft’s Official Curriculum (MOC) courseware. These unique group of professionals have access to the complete library of Microsoft courses regardless of subject, including all MOC online labs. Attempting to put an actual dollar value on MCT certification is difficult at best as Microsoft Certified Trainers not only have access to courses and labs but receive deep discounts on books and exams. They can enroll in Microsoft’s beta program gaining exposure to new products and technologies before public release.

Microsoft Certified Trainers have their own job portal, that is for MCT’s only. They gain insight to career opportunities that are available through Microsoft Education Learning Partners and other members of the MCT community before they are released into the public domain. Microsoft Certified Trainers have their own Microsoft MCT regional lead to provide guidance and answer questions they may have. This is in addition to their own MCT community forum that allows MCT’s to share ideas, information, and tips to further your development. MCT’s can enroll in the Microsoft Azure Pass Program and MCT trainer kits that come complete with slides and instructor tips to help with your course delivery. This is not a complete list of all the benefits of MCT certification.

Becoming an MCT provides the IT Professional with international recognition and credibility. MCT Certification is the gold standard of technical training being one of the oldest trainer certifications in the market.

As of August, Microsoft Certified Trainers had an average salary of $136,931 according to glassdoor. This represents an increase of nearly 16% over 2021 where MCT salaries were $116,657. Microsoft Certified Trainers saw salaries range from $85,000 to $253,000. These salaries are for in-house employer-based trainers. Microsoft Certified Trainers that are freelancers typically earn much more than in-house trainers. MCT’s that freelance build their own practice and charge for content delivery by the hour, number of days of delivery, type of course, length of course, number of participates, course difficulty, and any classroom set up or configuration.

Do you meet the requirements

Many Microsoft Professionals that may have interest in becoming Microsoft Certified Trainers are unclear on what the process entitles and have received some information that is not correct. They have been led to believe that you must have previous training experience. They have also been led to believe that they must be recommended for entry into the Microsoft MCT Program by an employer or a current Microsoft Certified Trainer. This is also incorrect. Employer recommendations or attestation letter do not meet the requirements for MCT Certification or program entry.

The entry requirements for MCT Certification though stringent are straight forward. They are listed here.

• You must hold a qualifying Microsoft Certification
• You attend and complete a Microsoft Instructional Skills course through a Microsoft approved provider of Instructional Skills.

Locating a provider

The number of Microsoft approved providers of Microsoft Instructional Skills Certification is limited. MCT certification is a highly specialized skill. There are nine (9) or ten (10) approved providers. Few have a global presence. Once you have obtained the list of approved providers, you should check directly with the provider to determine if they have a global presence or which area they serve. This information is generally located on the providers’ website.

You should check the delivery formats offered by the provider. Most offer only in-person courses. There are some that will offer Live Instructor-led Virtual delivery, and one (1) that offers a Self-Paced course complete with supplemental videos to help accelerate your career.

Be weary of any provider that claims they have some special relationship with Microsoft which allows their certificate of completion to gain your entry into the MCT Program. If they are not on the approved list, go with a company that is. You can locate a complete list of providers by visiting Microsoft’s website. Simply google “how to become a MCT”.

You can also see a complete list of the certifications/exams that qualify for MCT Program entry on the same site or by visiting Fourth Dimension Technologies, Inc.

Best wishes on your path to MCT Certification.