Go to the head of the line as a Microsoft Certified Trainer. IT Professionals are experiencing a pullback in the market. There have been layoffs involving several large players, that include Amazon, Facebook, and the disaster that Twitter is quickly becoming.

This is not the first time we have experienced disruption in the IT sector. We experienced a much bigger bubble in late 2008 and early 2009. The hit was severe and widespread. Professionals new to IT believe that salaries that are now being paid are unusual. The fact is they are not.  Microsoft Certified Professionals that held high level certifications such as the old MCSE or MCSD certifications routinely earned above six-figures in the late 90’s and early 2000’s. Microsoft Professionals that held these certifications and combined the Microsoft Certified Trainer certification earned more.

The thing that was most interesting to those of us that really understood the IT space and were not pure tekkies was the reality that we would remain at the head of the line as Microsoft Certified Trainers. Microsoft professionals that are not currently Microsoft Certified Trainers and qualify for this premier certification should research its value not just as a hedge against market disruptions but for the true value it contains.

Your existing Microsoft Certification

So, you currently hold a Microsoft premier certification, and you may be working in IT support or as a helpdesk professional. You may have developed the skills to now be an IT consultant, or Data Analytics professional or perhaps a Microsoft 365 or Cybersecurity Analyst.  If you already have Microsoft certifications my question is why are you not getting the full value of your certification? What is holding you back? What has prevented you from getting a full understanding of the IT industry? Why are you still using your certification for a job? What do you really want, a career or a job? What is your plan for you and your family’s future?

These are the questions you should be asking yourself. Here are some answers to consider. You’re not getting the full value of your existing Microsoft certification because you did not know it could lead to grater opportunities. What may be holding you back is your belief that you don’t deserve more. You do. You have not gotten the full value of your certification because you just needed a job, may e you were told you need to gain 5 to 10 years of experience before you could have bigger dreams. Well, it is now your responsibility to know the business you have selected. You did not or don’t know that your certification is bigger than a job. It is an opportunity to change your future. Do you want a job or a career. If you just want a job I understand. You are willing to put your future in the hands of some HR department that only knows you as a number. I am encouraging you to think bigger. I know that your plans for your family’s future are not for them to worry about what the IT Market is doing in terms of disruption. Stop thinking about layoffs and things you cannot control and think about the things you can control.

Moving to the head of the line

Your existing Microsoft certification holds the key to your future. Several Microsoft Professionals have learned how to unlock this potential. Now you can too. The current state of the market is dominated by cloud computing, data analytics, cybersecurity and Microsoft’s 365 products and technologies. There are currently less than 20,000 Microsoft Certified Trainers worldwide. These professionals serve the entire global community of IT professionals seeking skills and certifications on Microsoft products and services.

We have discovered over the years that many Microsoft professionals are not aware of the Microsoft Certified Trainer Program. Others simply have been provided with incorrect information about the MCT Program, and still others have asserted that they do not have the necessary skills to become a Microsoft Certified Trainer. Anyone who has a passion for helping others and a desire to earn an outstanding living in the process can become a Microsoft Certified Trainer.

Microsoft Certified Trainers enjoy a wide range of benefits and perks for holding Microsoft’s most prestigious certification. The MCT certification is unlike any other certification in the Microsoft eco-system.

Microsoft Certified Trainers are certified by Microsoft and have the sole authority to deliver content from Microsoft’s Official Curriculum (MOC) courseware. As the sole qualified instructors of Microsoft’s products and technologies, they have access to Microsoft’s full library of courses at no cost. MCT’s can fully access all the MOC labs online, in addition to the complete library of Microsoft trainer kits with instructor note and slides to further your career development. Microsoft Certified Trainers can enroll in the Azure Pass Program, receive an annual voucher for the Microsoft Office Specialist certification at no cost and get discounts on all books and exams. They are perhaps the IT training professionals that have their own job portal that is exclusive to members of this club. The MCT job portal is where MCT’s can access career opportunities that are posted by Microsoft Education Learning Partners and other MCT’s before these opportunities are available to the public. If that’s not enough, Microsoft Certified Trainers can join the Microsoft exam and products Beta program allowing for access to new exams and product ideas before others in the Microsoft eco-system or the public. MCT’s even have their own MCT Community and access to a MCT region lead to share ideas, solutions, tips, and career guidance.

It is not possible to put a fair dollar value on the Microsoft Certified Trainer certification. The Azure Pass Program alone is worth $1,200 annually. Who can really give true value to the complete library of courses, labs, and discounts on books and exams.  We have endeavored to improve regarding helping Microsoft Certified Professionals to better understand the power of obtaining the training industries gold standard for technical trainers in MCT Certification. The MCT Program is one of Microsoft oldest and most recognized certifications internationally. It is an annual membership-based program launched in 1993. It is today Microsoft longest serving certification having followed the long-retired Windows 3.1 and early Microsoft SQL Certifications to the market.

MCT Requirements

How do you become a Microsoft Certified Trainer? The requirements are stringent but doable.

• You must possess a qualifying Microsoft Certification
• You must attend a Microsoft Instructional Skills course from a Microsoft Approved provider of Instructional skills certification.

You can access a complete list of qualifying certifications by visiting the Microsoft website. You can also access the list by visiting Fourth Dimension Technologies, Inc.

Approved providers

Lastly, it is important for you to receive your Microsoft Instructional Skills certification from a Microsoft Approved Provider of Instructional Skills. Several IT professionals seeking MCT certification have been disappointed. The reason for this is they have taken an instructional skills course from a non-approved provider of instructional skills. Microsoft produces a list of those providers that can issue your certificate of completion for entry into the MCT Program. There are only nine (9) or (10) providers that are authorized to issue this certification.

All approved providers are on a list approved by Microsoft. Not all Microsoft Education Learning Partners are providers of Instructional skills certification. Instructional skills are a specialized discipline and therefore you must vett the provider. Of the limited number of providers many only serve their own local region, others may serve a larger region, and there is currently only one that serves the global community. Do not take your instructional Skills course with any firm that is not on the list. Do not believe anyone that professes to have a special relationship with Microsoft and can therefore issue your certificate of completion. Microsoft will not honor certificates of completion from firms not listed on their website.

Now that you are armed with the facts of MCT certification and its power, the sky is the limit to what you do with your career. Microsoft Certified Trainers earn on average $136,000 yearly working as in-house trainers. MCT’s that decide on a career as freelancer or contractor earn much more, as they set their own rates and schedule. These rates are dependent on several factors, from length of course, course difficulty, number of students and other factors. MCT’s travel the globe providing services to Microsoft organization, earning excellent pay while living incredible lives. Good luck on your path to the front of the line as a Microsoft Certified Train