Scared of a Tech Meltdown Microsoft Certified Trainer Unemployment rate is only 3.5%. IT Professionals are running scared with wide scale layoff’s happening across the board. Several of the world’s most successful companies are downsizing, a pretty word for cutting staff, laying folks off or putting people out of work.

We have been preaching to technology professionals for years that they must diversify. IT professionals that possess high-level Microsoft Certifications like Data Analytics, Power BI Microsoft Security Operations Analyst and other high-level Microsoft 365 technologies need not panic.

Technology companies had a great run in 2021 setting record earnings. What has taken place in 2022 has basically shredded those record setting gains. We have witnessed layoffs from Amazon, Google, Meta, Stripe, Peloton, Microsoft, and Twitter. Twitter has gone somewhat crazy having lashed 50% of its workforce since the acquisition of Elon Musk. Combined these firms and others have wiped out hundreds of thousands of jobs.

For IT professionals that work in what some may consider expendable jobs like helpdesk or internal IT technicians the fear is palpable. IT professionals most commit to developing a wide range of skills and not listen to the old school IT guy that tells them they need 100 years of experience before taking on the next level of certification.

We must face the real facts; major companies earn large contracts from other corporations and more importantly the Federal Government based on the number of certified IT professionals they have on staff. What companies don’t tell their employees is that it’s their certifications that land the contracts. This is particularly true for IT professionals that hold mid-level certifications or certifications that map to the Federal Governments National Cybersecurity workforce framework (Nice) and Federal Compliance 8140/ 8570 rules.  A list of NIST Training Providers.

I will revisit the entire subject concerning government compliance and certifications in another article.

How to navigate a tech downturn

There is a simple solution for IT professionals that need to hedge against market downturns. Move into the technical training space. It has always been a bellwether for IT professionals that could grasp the ebbs and flows of the business. Corporations across disciplines both large and small will always look for training for their employees. Training budgets may be trimmed, but they don’t disappear. Microsoft IT professionals are not aware that Microsoft Education Learning Partners must have Microsoft Certified Trainers on staff to acquire the designation and to keep it. The higher the Education Partnership Level the More MCT’s that must be on staff.

So, you are discovering that no matter what’s going on in the market if you hold higher-level certifications you need not panic. You have the tools in your hands to transition your career without missing a beat. Microsoft Certified Professionals are certified in Azure, which is the fastest growing discipline in the cloud computing industry. Microsoft Data Analytics as a discipline are today and will remain in demand in the foreseeable future. Microsoft’s Cybersecurity certifications are relatively new and will continue to gain market share, as will Microsoft’s 365 product line.

The logical move is to obtain your MCT Certification. Microsoft Certified Trainers earn on average as of August $136,931 for in-house trainers employed by Microsoft Education Learning Partners and others from Finance to Supply Chain Management. The $136,931 is an increase of nearly 16% over the $116,657 that was paid to MCT’s in 2021. Freelance MCT’s earn more than in-house trainers. Freelancers set their rates based on several factors. This includes the size of the class. The type of course, how difficult is the course, is the length of the course. Does the course require any classroom configuration. Who will perform the configurations. Is test prep included in the course. There may be other items to take into consideration. The pay ranges from $85,000 to $253,000.

Microsoft Certified Trainers are members of an exclusive club that is membership based. Microsoft Certified Trainers receive deep discounts on all Microsoft books and exams. Microsoft exams cost on average $165 and MCT’s get a 50% discount on exams. MCT’s can enroll in the Microsoft Beta exam and Azure Pass Programs. These perks allow Microsoft Certified Trainers to test products and provide valuable feedback on products and services before they are available to the public.

Microsoft Certified Trainers are certified and authorized by Microsoft to deliver Microsoft content. They have the sole authorization from Microsoft to deliver Microsoft Official Curriculum (MOC) courseware.

Microsoft Certified Trainer have access to their own MCT Community. They have access to Microsoft’s complete library of courses. MCT’s have their own unique job portal where Microsoft Education Learning Partners, MCT’s and other post job and career opportunities from various regions of the U.S. and the global community.

Microsoft Certified Trainers have full access to all the Microsoft trainer kits regardless of subject. These kits come complete with slides and instructor tips to further develop your skills. To cap it off MCT’s have access to a Microsoft Certified Trainer that’s a regional lead to help with any questions or guidance they may need.

How to qualify

There have been many questions that we have answered over the years concerning the process of becoming a Microsoft Certified Trainer. We welcome the questions and will continue to answer them gladly. The requirements for entry into the MCT Program are stringent, but doable. Remember this is perhaps Microsoft’s most prestigious certification.

Several aspiring MCT’s have been advised that they must have several years of experience both from a practical application standpoint and a training standpoint. You do not need to have previous training experience to become a Microsoft Certified Trainer.

Others have been informed that they need to have a recommendation from a current Microsoft Certified Trainer or an attestation letter from their employer attesting to at least (1) year of training experience. Neither is correct. You don’t need to a recommendation or attestation letter. As a matter of fact, neither will allow you to become a Microsoft Certified Trainer. You must take a Microsoft Instructional Skills course from an approved provider. The requirements for entry into the Microsoft MCT Program are as follow:

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

You can access a complete list of qualifying certifications/exams by visiting Microsoft’s website or by visiting Fourth Dimension Technologies, Inc.

Locating the right provider

There are a limited number of Microsoft Approved Providers of Instructional Skills Certification. Currently there are nine (9) or ten (10) approved providers. Many only provide their services to restricted geopolitical areas. Every provider should offer the option of an in-person course. Some will offer both in-person and Live Virtual Instructor-Led courses. One offers a Self-paced course. The Self-Paced courses require that you complete and pass a final exam to receive your certificate of completion.

You can access the complete list of Microsoft approved providers by visiting their website.

Keep in mind that not all Microsoft Education Learning Partners are approved providers of Microsoft Instructional skills. As a matter of fact, few are approved to provide this unique service. If you are approached by anyone saying they have a special arrangement with Microsoft do NOT PROCEED.

Best wishes in your pursuit of becoming a Microsoft Certified Trainer.