REDMOND, Wash., Feb. 5, 1997 — Microsoft Corp. today announced that its Microsoft® Certified Professional Program reached the 100,000- milestone, capping off a tremendous year of growth that saw nearly 65,000 individuals receive certification in the last 12 months. The Microsoft Certified Systems Engineer and Microsoft Certified Solution Developer certifications each saw growth of over 250 percent last year. The number of individuals certified as Microsoft Certified Product Specialists and Microsoft Certified Trainers doubled.
Founded in 1992, the Microsoft Certified Professional Program was designed to provide computer professionals with validation of their ability to design, develop, implement and support solutions using Microsoft tools and technologies. The original program offered Microsoft Certified Product Specialist (MCPS) credentials and has grown to include three additional certifications: Microsoft Certified Systems Engineer (MCSE), Microsoft Certified Solution Developer (MCSD) and Microsoft Certified Trainer (MCT). Certification is achieved by passing one or more performance-based exams that measure the ability to apply skills and knowledge to real-world problems.
“Being a Microsoft Certified Systems Engineer has helped me build credibility when promoting our company to new clients,”
said Kevin Lutz, senior systems engineer with Productivity Point International and one of the first 50 MCSEs to be certified.
“Having Microsoft Certified Systems Engineers on staff assures prospective clients that we provide top-level service and are dedicated to and demand that our employees have a high standard of knowledge and ability.”
“The phenomenal growth of the Microsoft Certified Professional Program is a reflection of the increased momentum of the Windows NT® Server in the marketplace,”
said Nancy Lewis, general manager of the worldwide Education and Certification Program at Microsoft.
“In addition, the Microsoft Certified Professional Program is recognized by managers and computer professionals as a valid tool for reliably measuring real-world skills and increasing employee performance.”
In December, Microsoft extended its Microsoft Certified Product Specialist offerings to include an Internet Systems credential, targeted at computer professionals who install and configure Microsoft server products, manage server resources, extend servers to run CGI and ISAPI scripts, plan system security, monitor and analyze server performance, and troubleshoot systems-related problems. Microsoft will continue to respond to the demand for knowledgeable, trained Internet professionals with future certification offerings.
Recent studies by the Applied Experimental Psychology Group of Southern Illinois University at Carbondale (SIUC) found that both Microsoft Certified Solution Developers and Microsoft Certified Systems Engineers are more productive and efficient on the job and outperform their noncertified counterparts, as rated by their managers. In addition, systems engineers and solution developers said the certification enhanced their professional credibility.
Microsoft has awarded certifications to 100,000 individuals since the Microsoft Certified Professional Program’s inception in 1992. Microsoft offers education for the way users want to learn, and certification for the job they need to do. Microsoft’s training partners train more than
1 million IT professionals and 2 million business professionals per year on Microsoft technology. Certification training is offered through instructor-led classes at Microsoft Authorized Technical Education Centers, self-study or online methods.
Founded in 1975, Microsoft (NASDAQ
“MSFT”
) is the worldwide leader in software for personal computers. The company offers a wide range of products and services for business and personal use, each designed with the mission of making it easier and more enjoyable for people to take advantage of the full power of personal computing every day.
Microsoft and Windows NT are either registered trademarks or trademarks of Microsoft Corp. in the United States and/or other countries.
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