Microsoft announces new training framework

Microsoft has recently announced a renewed focus on certification with the Microsoft Simulations Positioning Framework and a commitment to performance-based testing. Microsoft will be introducing simulated environments that will more closely resemble real life situations in the Windows 2003 exams from March 2005.

The key benefits of this new framework are:
Those taking the certifications demonstrate their capability with the technology

The certifications will more closely resemble real problems encountered in the workplace and give more credibility to the qualification

Those taking the certifications are measured on the outcome of the exam rather than the path they took to achieve it. In any real scenario there are multiple ways of solving IT issues

Those taking certifications prove that they can actually manage day to day issues, not just guess the right answer

Thomas Lee, Chief Technologist at training provider, QA, commented: We welcome this framework from Microsoft. It reinforces our view that performance-based training and certification is vital in todayís complex IT infrastructure environment. Delegates on our courses will benefit from examination results which are a true reflection of their workplace skills, while managers gain the confidence that íwhat they see is what they getí - IT professionals have the skills to match their accreditation.

Ram Dhaliwal, training and certification manager, Microsoft UK explained further. We believe this move will be welcomed by training professionals and IT professionals alike. Microsoftís IT certifications are widely recognised as key indicators of IT skills and provide a career path for those in, or looking to move into the IT profession. By using performance-based testing Microsoft is incorporating a focus on real world skills that have to be demonstrated in the exams so that the qualification more accurately reflects an individualís capability and not their ability to memorise questions and answers. This will help employers better evaluate the skills of employees or prospective employees and demonstrate more value to the IT professional who will be able to clearly relate the value of certification to their normal job role.