Goggle Meta and Twitter and others layoff’s So What!. We are seeing a downturn in the tech space. The big box tech firms are all I a panic as interest rates rise and uncertainty permeates their thinking. Tech stocks are down some like Facebook has fallen 66%. So, the fear is on. Everyone is screaming that layoffs are going to be big. Google has shed jobs, alone with Meta Facebooks parent company. This has extended to Twitter which may be in a complete freefall with Elon Musk strange behavior. The fall out has extended to Peloton, Netflix, and others.

IT professionals are shaking in fear that they will no longer command the incomes they are currently seeing. Several IT professionals that work in helpdesk or IT support are wondering what is going to happen. Holders of lower-level certifications will feel the pinch almost immediately. Mid- level professionals can certainly survive but may not have the flexibility of moving from one firm to another.

Let’s face it folks IT professionals for years have been arrogant in their belief that they are untouchable. As a result, few can pivot. They start in a particular discipline and do not think long term. Nor do they use the experience or certification they have acquired to advance their careers by cross- training.  Having been in the space for 25 years I am still baffled by the resistance that IT professionals put up when it comes to understanding the markets as a whole. IT professionals tend to be hardheaded in that they don’t develop skills across vendor platforms or develop real soft skills to grow their careers.

For example, you have folks that are heavily involved in CompTIA, Microsoft, Cisco, and other platforms, yet they don’t develop the skills to touch each of these platforms or use the certifications that have acquired to upskill within these platforms. IT professionals need to think long-term and make themselves difficult to replace. At the very least they must understand how to use their existing experience and certification to pivot to other areas within the tech space.

How to pivot

The one market that does not suffer from a lack of opportunities remains the IT Training market. I am not saying that earnings for trainers don’t flatten, but unemployment for Microsoft Certified Trainers as an example has not been over 3.5% for years. Unemployment for Microsoft Certified Trainers generally is below 2%.

The low unemployment rate for these professionals provides the perfect hedge against market disruptions. Combined with the continued growth in Data Analytics and Cybersecurity and its fairly easy to see that Microsoft Professionals are missing out on an opportunity to pivot in the current market.

The Microsoft Certified Trainer MCT Program is currently Microsoft’s oldest and perhaps most prestigious certification. The MCT Program started in 1993 to provide training to Microsoft Professionals seeking Windows 3.1 and SQL Certification.  Microsoft Certified Trainers have access to the complete library of Microsoft Products and Technologies. This provides a unique opportunity to develop advanced skills at no cost to the MCT.

Microsoft Certified Trainers not only have access to Microsoft’s Official Curriculum (MOC) courseware, but all the (MOC) online labs. They are afforded deep discounts on books and exams. Microsoft Certified Trainers qualify for beta exams and the Azure pass program. Microsoft Certified Trainers possess one of the only certifications that have a member only MCT Job. MCT ‘s can access this job portal for new training and career opportunities. The MCT job portal is the first place Microsoft Education Learning Partners visit to post jobs or training opportunities available internationally.

Microsoft Certified Trainers are recognized internationally and are the gold standard for technical trainers. Not only is MCT certification widely recognized across the globe, but there are also less than 20,000 IT Professionals that hold the MCT designation. When we contrast this to the millions of IT professionals that hold Microsoft Certification the competition for training opportunities with corporations large and small is nearly non-existent.

How to get there

Microsoft Professionals have not been clear about the path to MCT certification. This is no fault of Microsoft Professional, but rather a reflection on the providers of this unique certification. We have heard many times that IT professionals seeking MCT certification have been told they need to have at least 1 year of previous training experience to be considered for entry into the MCT Program. You do not need any previous training experience. Several have also been advised that they need to get a recommendation from a current MCT or an attestation letter from their current employer. This is incorrect neither a recommendation of attestation letter will qualify you for entry into the MCT Program. The requirements for entry into the MCT Program are as follows:

• You must possess a qualifying Microsoft Certification
• You must attend a Microsoft Approved Instructional Skills course.

You can access a complete list of qualifying certifications by googling how to become a MCT and visiting Microsoft’s website or you can visit Fourth Dimension Technologies, Inc. FAQ, and Requirements page. You only need (1) certification on the list to qualify.

Locate Provider

The Microsoft Certified Trainer Certification is a unique skill. There are only nine (9) or ten (10) approved providers of MCT Certification or Microsoft Instructional Skills. Again, you can visit Microsoft’s website to see a complete list of approved providers. Many providers only serve their own geographic region. You can find a few that serve the global community. Please check each provider’s website or contact them directly to see if they serve your area or the global community. All offer in-person courses, some offer Live Virtual Instructor-Led courses and (1) offers a Self-paced course. Keep in mind that the Self-Paced course requires the completion and passing of a final exam to have your certificate of completion issued.

A word of caution. Not all Microsoft Education Learning Partners are approved providers of Microsoft Instructional Skills. As a matter of fact, few are approved of for this unique training. Companies that claim they have a special relationship with Microsoft to get your MCT approved must be looked at with skepticism. We have seen some charge as much as $5,000 and their certificate of completion not be approved. Only engage companies that are on Microsoft’s approved list.  Bear in mind when you seek in-person training there is generally greater cost, not only for the course but travel, meals, and hotel accommodations.

Best wishes as you pivot to MCT certification