How to move up in a Tech downturn. Today’s tech world is swirling with uncertainty. There is a feeling of unease or even dread as large technology firms downsize or think of downsizing as a way of getting ahead of inflation.

IT professionals can either shake in their boots and hope they are not counted in the number of those being released from their jobs, or they can stop thinking of IT as a one-dimensional career and position themselves to pivot regardless of the markets. Microsoft Certified Professionals can move up in a tech downturn.

Generally, IT professionals should think from a position of having multiple vendor certifications to hedge against downturns. Microsoft professionals that hold the Microsoft Fundamentals Certifications gain entry into the game but cannot receive the full benefits of other professionals with higher levels of certifications.

Microsoft Certified Professionals that hold associate and experts level certifications are positioned to take full advantage of opportunities in tech space regardless of market trends. With the growth of data analytics, cybersecurity, and cloud computing these professionals can upgrade to Microsoft Certified Trainer status.

Who is a Microsoft Certified Trainers

Microsoft Certified Trainers are certified by Microsoft and have the sole authority to deliver Microsoft Products and Technologies to IT Professionals seeking certification and increased practical skills.

These are the professionals’ companies; governments agencies and Microsoft Education Learning Partners turn to for their training needs. Microsoft Certified Trainers are skilled experts in Microsoft products and represent the gold standard in technical training.

Microsoft Certified Trainers have access to a wide range of tools which allows for robust skill development for their clients/students. They have access to the complete library of Microsoft Official Curriculum (MOC) courses. This includes all courses that Microsoft offers to the public regardless of their current certification. This creates an advantage for Microsoft professionals that have an interest in other Microsoft Certifications but have not taken exams. As a MCT you can access not only the current Microsoft courseware but the trainer kits that are used by MCT’s to train the public. The MCT trainer kit comes complete with the content, slide shows, and instructor notes to better prepare you as a Microsoft Certified Trainer.

Microsoft Certified Trainers receive deep discounts on exams and books. It is difficult to put an actual dollar value on the MCT certification. The reason for this is that Microsoft has hundreds of courses for the IT community to select from. The average Microsoft course costs around $3,000 with an additional exam cost of $165. This value alone is well over $100,000. MCT’s are members of an exclusive annual membership-based club. Members of these clubs have their MCT community where you can get advice, tips and have questions answered from members of this community.

Microsoft Certified Trainers are one of the ONLY groups of professionals that have their own job portal. This unique portal is where career opportunities are posted by Microsoft Education Learning Partners, other MCT’s and IT Training placement firms. Microsoft Certified Trainers have the first opportunity to seek these career opportunities before the public. MCT’s have a regional that’s available to answer questions and to provide career guidance. Microsoft Certified Trainers are invited to exclusive Microsoft events annually that are designed for MCT’s only. They can also participate in Microsoft’s Beta exam, and Azure Pass Programs. MCT’s receive a free voucher annually for Microsoft Official Specialist (MOS) exam. There are several other benefits to MCT Certification.

How should you use your MCT

Becoming a Microsoft Certified Trainers is a major career move. Microsoft Certified Professionals that upgrade to MCT status will find themselves acquiring perhaps Microsoft’s most prestigious certification. Founded in 1993 the MCT Program was established to provide training to Microsoft Professionals that were Windows 3.1 and SQL certification holders. The MCT Program has evolved to encompass all Microsoft products and technologies.

New MCT will exciting new career opportunities. Microsoft Certified Trainers earn on average $136,931 in 2022. This represents an increase of nearly 16% over 2021 salaries of $116,657. Salaries range from $85,000 to $253,000 with the highest salary reported above $500,000. These numbers are for in-house trainers. Freelancer trainers earn more than in-house trainers. Freelancers have the flexibility to work with only those Microsoft Education Learning Partners they are comfortable with. They can also hire their services out corporations, government agencies, and non-profits large and small. Freelancers tend to enjoy traveling and build a client based from the Caribbean to Europe. Microsoft Certified Trainers that freelance charge rates based on several factors. These include type of course, difficulty of the course, length of the course, number of students to be taught. Any classroom configurations and what the setup should consist of is charged extra. Keep in mind that Microsoft Certified Trainers that travel expect the best hotel, meals, and rental car accommodations and charge accordingly. Microsoft Certified Trainers experience the lowest unemployment rate than the other certified professionals, with the highest rate never having exceeded 3.5%.

New MCT’s may want to consider working in-house for 6 months to a year to gain confidence in their delivery skills. This is by no means required as many MCT’s select the freelancer route from the start and do quite well.

Microsoft professionals that are holders of Microsoft’s 365 based certifications can leverage their MCT to build a stronger client based if they work in the consulting space. The MCT becomes an excellent value addition for your clients and gives you an advantage over the coemption. MCT Certification is recognized the world over as the gold standard of technical training. Another incredible advantage to MCT Certification is low competition. There are less than 20,000 Microsoft Certified Trainers. Compare this with the millions of professionals that hold Microsoft Certified Professional designation, and your only real question is why I didn’t think of this before.

How to become an MCT

Becoming a Microsoft Certified Trainer is a big deal. With all the career flexibility, benefits, perks, and earning power it is a wonder why anyone that can become a MCT would not jump on such an opportunity.

The MCT Certification is not widely marketed, and we have discovered that Microsoft Certified Professionals know little about how to become a Microsoft Certified Trainer. There has not been consistent messaging around the Microsoft MCT Program. Many would be MCT’s are not certain about how to become a MCT, having heard such things as you need years of practical and training experience before you can apply to the MCT Program. Others have been told that they must have a recommendation from a current MCT, and still others have been advised they need a attestation letter of their training experience before they can be considered for MCT Certification.

None of what you have heard or been told is correct. You do not need previous training experience or years of practical experience to qualify for MCT Certification. You are not required to get a recommendation from a current MCT or an attestation letter from an employer. In fact, neither of these will qualify you for MCT Certification. So, what is needed to become an MCT?

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

For a full list of qualifying Microsoft Certifications/Exams visit Microsoft’s website. You can also see the complete list by visiting Fourth Dimension Technologies, Inc.’s website.

Locating the right provider for you

Do not be misled by companies that claim to have some special relationship with Microsoft that will get you MCT Certified.

There are a limited number of Microsoft Approved Providers of Instructional Skills certification. The complete list of providers can be found on Microsoft’s website. There are nine (9) or ten (10) providers approved to issue your certificate of completion.

Not all providers serve the global community, and you will need to contact them directly through their website or phone to ensure that they serve your region. Each provider should have in-person courses, though they will not be in every city or region. Several offer Virtual online Instructor-Led courses. Again, check to see when classes are held in your time zone or a time zone that accommodates your needs.

There is only one currently that offers a Self-Paced course which serves the global community. This course comes complete with supplemental videos to accelerate your learning and implementation in live environments.

Beware that not all Microsoft Education Learning Partners are Providers of Instructional Skills Certification. Few are. So, make the provider you select is on Microsoft’s approved list for Instructional Skills.

Good luck in obtaining MCT Certification and moving up in tech downturns.