Microsoft Plans to Broaden Reach of Exam Delivery Channel To Meet Customer Demand
REDMOND, Wash., April 8, 1998 — Microsoft Corp. today announced its intention to work with Virtual University Enterprises (VUE), a division of National Computer Systems Inc., to broaden its exam delivery channel to meet the growing demand from IT professionals for increased testing services. Through Microsoft’s relationship with Sylvan Prometric, and now with the addition of VUE, the company plans to add exam centers in areas such as academic institutions and corporations. Microsoft® Certified Professionals and certification candidates in the United States and Canada will be able to sign up for exams through VUE starting in May. A complete international implementation is scheduled to begin in July.
During the past six months, the number of people who obtained a Microsoft Certified Professional certification increased by 36 percent. Because of the significant skills gap in the IT services industry, more people are moving to be trained and certified on Microsoft products. Microsoft’s multimillion-dollar Skills 2000 initiative and recent modifications to its Authorized Technical Education Center (ATEC) program have increased the number of people getting trained. Expansion of the testing channel is necessary to accommodate the increased demand.
“With the increase in people seeking certification, it is more important than ever to make testing sites accessible,” said Donna Senko, group manager of the certification and skills assessment at Microsoft. “VUE’s additional testing channels make it well-equipped to join Microsoft in fulfilling the flourishing worldwide demand for IT training, testing and, eventually, certification.”
Candidates receive Microsoft certification by passing one or more performance-based exams that measure their ability to apply skills and knowledge to real-world problems. Microsoft Certified Professional exams will soon be available through VUE and can now be taken through Sylvan at more than 1,400 testing centers worldwide. The Microsoft Certified Professional program was founded in 1992, and more than 200,000 people are currently certified.
For More Information
For information or to register for MCP exams online, visit http://www.microsoft.com/train_cert/ , or contact VUE at (888) 837-8616 or Sylvan at (800) 755-3926 (EXAM).
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