Microsoft have revised their accreditations to make IT Recruitment easier by now testing not only on knowledge but also 'hands on' experience relevant to the actual job role and specific Microsoft technology. This is an effort to regain what some say their long lost credibilty of their accrediations as being just a "text book exam" learnt at boot camps. The new suite of accreditations measure more accurately by scenario testing, labotaraty testing and verbally in front of a panel of peers ascertianing the individuals actual experience and knowledge.
Rather than just having a generic certificate emblem each specifies the specific job role or technology to which it relates. The accreditation will expire when Microsoft cease to support the particular technology, although older credentials that did not carry retirement dates such as Microsoft Certified Professional (MCP), Microsoft Certified Systems Engineer (MCSE) Microsoft Certified Systems Administrates (MCSA) and Microsoft Certified Application Developer (MCAD ) will remain unaffected
There are four levels
Technology level -
This is the entry level focused on the Microsoft product/technology and not on the job role itself, the candidate will demonstrate their competency to build, implement, trouble shoot and de bug said skill. To achieve this level one to three exams must be taken successfully
Professional level -
This will demonstrate knowledge and experience within a specific job role using said Microsoft technology
Master level -
To achieve this level candidates will have to complete a 3 week classroom assignment, a laboratory test and be certified in the two previous accreditations. This level will be on specific Microsoft technology such as Active Directory, Exchange 2007, SQL Server or Sharepoint the candidate will have had to demonstrated indepth experience of design and implementation and so on.
Architect level -
To achieve this level the candidate will have to pass an oral test in from of and appointed accredited board, the candidate must have 10 years + experience and have strong commercial managerial and technical skills and the accreditation must be regularly refreshed
The first two launched are
MCITP
Which will be for job roles such as Support Technician, Server Administrator, Database Administrator
MCPD
Will be for developers of ASP.Net, .Net Framework 3.5 and Visual Studio
Any company looking for up to date information on the IT Recruitment market can speak to an experienced IT recruiter today on 0845 124 9555
James Toovey is a Director with Langley James, one of the leading IT recruitment companies specialising in permanent and contract IT Vacancies. They have offices for IT Recruitment in London and IT Recruitment in Manchester