IT Training Providers relating to Microsoft Certification/EXAM

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Dear IT Pro:

Another question that pop into my mind regarding those in the IT Training (Providers) that need to keep pace with training in the Information Technology especially when it comes to Microsoft Training and Certifications, my question is when Microsoft retires ALL the MCSE/MCSA on Jan 31 2021, even when trying to book an exam near the deadline, What happens to that training content or material is it still valuable or relevant to the IT Industry, Since everything is going toward the Cloud, in the case with MIcrosoft Azure (AZ-900) or higher, No more MCSA/MCSE Certification, does this mean those who have these certification have more value in the IT Market, than those who don't have it or just starting out what happen to people, sorry I feel a bit stressed out and somewhat disappointed with WHY Microsoft they doing this, I know someone mentioned this online i.e. Network Chuck back when Cisco did a major revision with their CCNA and CCNP Certification, where there's ONLY ONE CCNA (which is good in some way, you only have one exam) But this exam includes everything, Routing and Switching, Security, Wireless, and some programming or DevOPs etc,, its lot for one exam. I also wanted to mentioned this, I looked at itdvds.com Video library which is very good and very detailed, BUT after Jan 31, 2021 because of the Microsoft content/video they have on their website, will it offer any value to anyone, they offer some Cisco and VMware courses, but its mostly ALL Microsoft courses. I think ITProTV has the biggest library compared to CBT Nuggets, itdvds and VTC.com.

@Daniel-Loyer said in IT Training Providers relating to Microsoft Certification/EXAM:

What happens to that training content or material is it still valuable or relevant to the IT Industry,

The value is not derived from its existence but it's application. Let me explain. When you get the MCSE/MCSA before Jan 31, 2021. It doesn't necessarily mean that the knowledge and training for it is no longer relevant. The technology doesn't just disappear and for some companies it may never disappear. But what that should mean for you and me is to realize that as long as I am willing to stay within the realm of the companies where the technology exist, I'm fine.

The other realization though if you seek other opportunities it means you must be willing to learn and develop skills with other technologies and even newer technologies as well. The last iteration of the CCNA was really hand-on working with routers and switching. This iteration is understanding the current level of knowledge to develop for working as a CCNA which is beyond the realm of routing and switching.

Companies that do training will do what they will with the training. Ours goes in the legacy section. It doesn't mean that the information is not valuable just no longer what is considered current. I do not know what the other companies choose to do with their content, they may simply retire it.

@Daniel-Loyer ,

As long as organizations maintain an on-premises environment, MCSA/MCSE skills will be relevant. The fact that Microsoft retired the certifications just means you cannot get a certificate that validates your knowledge. An organization can still give you a practical test during an interview, or have you prove your skills in some other way.

We will move the courses to legacy, They won't help you prepare for an exam, but they will still be valuable. If you need to learn how to configure Group Policy, or set up routing and remote access for example, you can still learn how by watching those episodes.

I would recommend focusing on Azure certifications, but I would highly recommend watching the MCSA content. I think it will be good knowledge to have in the real world as well as when looking for employment. You might put on your resume your Azure certs, etc., but in the interview if they ask can you set up on-premises domain controllers, you can say "you bet"!

@Ronnie-Wong and @Mike-Rodrick

Hi Mike and Ronnie:

The fact that Microsoft retired the certifications just means you cannot get a certificate that validates your knowledge

I like that you mentioned that Microsoft Cert Retired cannot be validated either by Certifications or Skills or Knowledge etc, I have done some research online and came across an online course at a community college (GBC) George Brown College located in Toronto Ontario, Canada and still waiting to see if they still offer the Microsoft Server 2016 courses (70-740, 70-741 and 70-742) which completed you get a certificate, I'm thinking taking this course and get that certificate, I know its NOT a Microsoft Certification (MCSA) but its something I can put on my resume. I am also slowly watching your MS Azure Certification course, I have take some practice and already scoring 40% . And as per what Ronnie and what I got from the message is to stay current with my knowledge or technology with who I am employed with. Well thanks for the information and advice

I might take the Azure, Cloud+ and the Server+ hopefully this will give me the knowledge I need to land an interview and get entry level in the IT market

Dan L.

@Daniel-Loyer ,

I'm not familiar with George Brown College, but remember, you have access to those courses with your ITProTV subscription. They are under legacy, but as we talked about earlier, still very relevant content. You can even print a course completion certificate, which is what you will get from GBC.

Hi Mike and Ronnie,

since you acknowledged the possible further need of the content/knowledge of onPrem Servers, i got a quick follow up question. Even though Microsoft does not intend (right now) to offer this knowledge, will ITPro continue shooting content for the Server Series? With the Server 2022 on the horizon, it might be worth to do a follow up, what has changed since 2016, aso.

I was sad to see this Certpocalypse happening, but its something we all have to deal with now ;)

Greetings Andreas

@Andreas-Hoffmann
Hi Andreas:

I like the point where you mentioned if ITProTV will continue the Server Series, and I wasn't even aware of Server 2022, I know of Windows Server 2019 but not Server 2022, Certpocalypse (Network Chuck) which I agree and not happy with Microsoft and the way they eliminated the MCSA/MCSE, hopefully they realize they made a mistake and bring it back.

@Andreas-Hoffmann ,

We will continue to produce content related to Windows Server. There are some Server 2019 courses from Microsoft that do not have a certification associated with them, They are on my roadmap to film in the future. The good news is because there was so little change from 2016 to 2019, the Server 2016 content is still very relevant!