Get Your MCT To Penetrate The $2 Trillion Cybersecurity Market. The Cybersecurity industry continues to see record growth even as we have seen a recent downturn in the technology industry. The challenge for many IT professionals that have been riding high during the growth in IT jobs, is they never prepare for market disruptions.

We have seen major layoffs of thousands of IT professionals recently affecting some of the largest IT companies in the world, from Amazon to Facebook. For those of us that were around during the Dot.com bust or the disruption in 2008-2009 this is nothing new. The lessons learned during the previous turbulent times have worked as a hedge now. For the current class of IT professionals many have given little thought to how to position themselves for market downturns.

With the ongoing security assault of companies, both large and small emerges an opportunity for IT professionals that possess relevant cybersecurity certifications. Microsoft Certified Professionals that hold certifications in any of the following Microsoft Cybersecurity based certifications can use the current downturn to their advantage to penetrate the $2 trillion cybersecurity space. The certifications are:

• SC-200 Microsoft Security Operations Analyst
• SC-300 Microsoft Identity and Access Administrator
• SC-400 Microsoft Information Protection Administrator

If you are Microsoft Certified Professional and you are in possession of these high-level certifications, you can upgrade to perhaps Microsoft most prestigious certification and become a Microsoft Certified Trainer. There are several reasons to obtain this certification outside of the opportunity to hedge against market downturns.

The Microsoft Certified Trainer certification is one of Microsoft oldest certifications. The MCT Program started in 1993 to provide training to Microsoft Professionals that held Windows 3.1 or SQL certifications that were introduced by Microsoft in 1992. The MCT Program has evolved over the years to provide training to professionals seeking both Microsoft IT certifications and an increase of practical skills in Microsoft products and technologies.

Microsoft Certified Trainers join an exclusive membership-based club with an annual membership requirement. As members of this club, they are afforded several perks and benefits that are unique to the MCT community. Microsoft Certified Trainers receive discounts on books and exams. MCT’s have access to the complete library to Microsoft’s Official Curriculum (MOC) courses.

Microsoft Certified Trainers are certified by Microsoft and have the sole authority to train on Microsoft products and services. Microsoft Education Learning Partners employ MCT’s for delivering content to their customers both corporate and government agencies. MCT’s can access Microsoft Trainer kits for any course they have an interest in pursuing at no cost. The Trainer kits come complete with slides and instructor notes to help you develop the skills for successful student outcomes.

As a Microsoft Certified Trainer, you not only have access to a regional MCT lead to answer questions and provide career guidance, but you also have access to your own MCT community and job portal. The MCT community is a tight group of professionals that share ideas, work arounds and fixes to any issues you may experience in the classroom environment. The job portal which is for MCT’s only allows Microsoft Education Learning Partners and other Microsoft Partners, as well as other MCT’s to post training and career opportunities to the MCT community before the public sees these opportunities.

Microsoft Certified Trainers can enroll in the Microsoft Azure Pass Program and the Microsoft Beta Exam Program. These programs not only give you access to any upcoming exams or products Microsoft is considering, but the opportunity to develop your skills further in the Azure space.

Microsoft Certified Trainers have more career autonomy with significant earning potential. Many MCT’s work as freelancers. This choice provides greater career flexibility and travel opportunities. Freelancers earn more than in-house trainers though in-house trainers earn an average of $136,931 with a range of $85,000-$253,000. Freelancers can build their own practice. Their rates can be set based on several factors. These include type of course to deliver, length of course, number of participants, travel time, classroom configuration and more. Currently with the threat to company security Microsoft Certified Trainers with security certifications can command excellent daily, weekly, or course-based rates.

There are always opportunities in down markets if we know where to look and the steps required to get there.

How to become an MCT

There has been much incorrect information concerning the steps to become a Microsoft Certified Trainer. Many Microsoft Certified Professionals believe that they must have years of practical experience in the field before thinking about MCT Certification. Several have been advised that they must have training experience as well. Both assumptions are incorrect. You don’t need to have practical experience of training experience to become a Microsoft Certified Trainer, though the more practical experience the better.

Another misconception that’s been floated around is that you must get a recommendation from a current Microsoft Certified Trainer, or a attestation letter from your employer verifying that you have at least (1) year of training experience. To the first point a recommendation from a current MCT will not gain you entry into the Microsoft MCT Program. To the second point before August of 2022, you could have used an attestation letter from your employer to meet the entry requirements into the Microsoft MCT Program. Neither option will qualify you for entry into the Microsoft MCT Program today.

So, how to enter this exclusive club of Microsoft professionals, and gain access to the many perks, benefits, and earning potential that await you.

MCT Requirements

• You Must Possess a Qualifying Microsoft Certification
• You must attend a Microsoft approved Instructional Skills course from an approved provider.

For a complete list of qualifying certifications/exams you can visit the Microsoft website, or you can visit Fourth Dimension Technologies, Inc. for a complete list.

Where to locate a Provider

There are a limited number of Microsoft approved providers of Instructional Skills Certification. Many of these providers only serve their local region and you will need to pay for any travel or other accommodation to take their in-person course. Some providers, though restricted to a geographic region offer virtual online instructor-led courses. This certainly reduces your overall out of pocket expenses. Few offer global services through either virtual online instructor-led training or a Self-Paced course. Keep in mind that if you take the Self-Paced course a final exam is required to receive your certificate of completion.

Please check directly with the provider to determine if their course offering fits your schedule, training preference and budget. There are currently nine (9) or ten (10) approved providers which can be located on Microsoft’s website.

Microsoft approved providers of Microsoft Instructional Skills certification can issue valid certificate of completion. Not all Microsoft Education Learning partners of approved providers of instructional skills certification. As a matter of fact, few Microsoft Education Learning Partners qualify as approved providers of instructional skills certification.

A quick word of caution. Only select providers that are on the Microsoft Approved list. Do not move forward with any organization that is not listed regardless of what you’ve been told or led to believe.

Good luck in your pursuit of becoming a Microsoft Certified Trainer.