MMS 2012: Revamped Microsoft Certifications Reflect Demand for Cloud Skills

It's the first day of the Microsoft Management Summit (MMS) 2012 in Las Vegas this week, and we're expecting to hear more about Microsoft's plans for System Center 2012 and the private cloud services in the days to come. Cloud computing is having a profound impact not only on the IT industry as a whole, but also on the careers of IT professionals.

I blogged a few weeks ago about the surge in demand for cloud computing skills, and that's one area where Microsoft is putting a significant amount of resources, having announced last week that it was retooling some of its training and certification offerings to more effectively meet the demands of today's IT professionals when it comes to the private and public cloud.

Part of that restructuring includes introducing three separate skill levels for the revamped certification programs, including associate, expert, and master training levels. Those changes also include a cloud-focused revamp of the granddaddy of IT certifications, the Microsoft Certified System Engineer (MCSE). According to Microsoft, public and private IT cloud services will generate close to 14 million jobs by 2015, so these changes should help IT managers and IT professionals learn the skills they need to more effectively compete in the new cloud economy.

In a statement announcing the revamped certification program, Microsoft Senior Director of Product Management Don Field stressed the need for enhancements to the existing certification program. "The new Microsoft certifications are raising the bar across the industry and reflect industry shifts that require a broader knowledge base and deeper skills across solutions that cloud computing requires," Field said. "The Microsoft certifications reflect the experience and skills needed to build, manage and evolve solutions in a cloud-based environment, ensuring validation of real-world skills for individuals and helping hiring managers identify the best-qualified job candidates."

We're covering MMS 2012 from several different angles this week, so keep checking back for more updates. Scope out our MMS 2012 photo gallery for photos of our editorial team visit to In-N-Out Burger and a glimpse of the long lines for attendee registration on opening day.

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