Get the latest training and certification updates from Microsoft

View as webpage         Microsoft Learn Newsletter This month's training and certification updates from Microsoft.

December 2020         In this edition         Program Announcements Azure Business Applications Microsoft 365         Microsoft Learn resources         Microsoft Learn Microsoft Learn Community Microsoft Learn Blog         Program Resources         Certification Dashboard Certification Support         Stay up to date with continuous learning at a time of resilience         There's no doubt the year 2020 has been challenging, but resilience is a theme that has emerged from all corners as we find ways to cope, learn, and grow through these unusual times. Read about the importance of continuous learning during an era where digitization has accelerated and projected new jobs in technology.

Program Announcements         Reminder: MCSA, MCSD, and MCSE certification exams retire on January 31, 2021         As we continue to expand on role-based learning offerings, we announced the retirement of our remaining exams associated with Microsoft Certified Solutions Associate (MCSA), Microsoft Certified Solutions Developer (MCSD), and Microsoft Certified Solutions Expert (MCSE). As a reminder, if you are working towards a MCSA, MCSD, or MCSE certification, you'll want to pass all required exams before they retire on January 31, 2021.         Need another reason to earn a Microsoft Certification?         Receiving a Microsoft Certification can help validate having the right skills to stay ahead. It also comes with many benefits such as a boost in confidence, salary increase, and job satisfaction. Check out our blog post on ten reasons for earning a Microsoft Certification.         Survey deadline extended: Share your Microsoft IT skills         Have you represented Microsoft in Global Knowledge's largest IT skills and salary survey yet? The deadline has been extended to 11:59 ET on December 31, 2020 so there is still time! This annual survey provides insights into industry salaries, skills gap, and in-demand certifications in today's IT career landscape. Please share your voice and take the survey today. Also check out the 2020 IT Skills and Salary Report, which includes key data on the benefits and most in-demand Microsoft certifications.         Nervous test-takers should take advantage of Exam Replay         Help calm your test day nerves with Exam Replay – a voucher that provides a retake on a certification exam if you don't pass the first time. Want to make sure you're as prepared as possible? Take advantage of the Exam Replay with Practice Test offer so you know what to expect on the big day. Learn more about these offers.         Save 50% on eBooks from Microsoft Press         As this crazy year winds down, take some time for yourself with a new book. Through the end of December, save 50% on eBooks from Microsoft Press using discount code EBOOKSALE at checkout. Browse titles covering training and certification, Windows, Microsoft M365, servers, and more.

Azure         Digital event: Shape Your Future with Azure Data and Analytics         Explore the future of data and analytics at this digital event with Microsoft Chief Executive Officer Satya Nadella and other top industry leaders. Learn why prioritizing data and analytics now is critical to building future agility and resilience. Find out about the latest Azure announcements and innovations with deep dive demos. Hear Microsoft Chief Financial Officer Amy Hood discuss Microsoft's own analytics journey to transform its finance organization. Register to watch on demand.         Cloud-enabled development in a remote world         As organizations adopt new technology solutions to support unique business challenges, the developers who create these solutions must meet an increased demand – while also adapting to the remote workplace. Boost your development productivity while meeting new requirements – with cloud-based tools that support remote coding, collaboration, and shipping code to production. Read the whitepaper and watch the webinar, Build Cloud Applications for a Remote World.         Get the Professional Azure SQL Database Administration e-book         Take an in-depth look at Azure SQL Database, the intelligent, scalable, cloud database service that provides the broadest SQL Server engine compatibility on the market. Get started with Azure SQL in a familiar technical language and architecture using existing SQL Server skills. In this technical implementation guide, you'll find detailed exercises and activities on how to deploy, configure, and manage Azure SQL database, so you can migrate with confidence. Get the e-book.         Azure skills and certifications can boost grads' salary potential         Right now, many students are thinking about internships or post grad jobs. Many are asking questions about technical skills and certifications. At Microsoft, we're often asked about the value of Microsoft training and certification. For companies, they're a great way to evaluate employees' skills. And when it comes to interviews, potential hires can show industry-proven validation of technical skills. But what about college students and recent college grads just entering the workforce? How might Microsoft technical skills be a differentiator? Check out this article to find out.         More noteworthy news from Azure         Azure certs, exams, and training round up New Microsoft Learn content: All about Azure Synapse Analytics Build great solutions with the Microsoft Azure Well-Architected Framework Data Exposed show on Channel 9 - everything about data! Did you miss the Azure Open Day? Watch it on demand! Study guide and tips & tricks for Exam AZ-220: Microsoft Azure IoT Developer Get inspired by Azure IoT partner stories

Business Applications         Check out the new Microsoft Power Platform Developer Associate         If you're a professional developer who would like to extend and further customize Microsoft Power Platform capabilities for your current or future employer, you can benefit from this training and certification. Learn more about this certification in our blog.         New Dynamics 365 learning paths: October 2020 roundup         New role-based learning paths are being released every month on Microsoft Learn to help you build skills and prepare for a Microsoft Certification. Read the latest updates in our blog.         Upcoming webinar: Discover the power of Dynamics 365: Power Platform certification through a student's journey         Join us at 10 AM PT on December 17, 2020, for a Power Platform webinar – presented by Microsoft Business Applications Go to Market Lead, Nancy Tandy, and hosted by Microsoft Learning Partner, New Horizons. To become a Power Platform certified IT professional, you need to understand the Power Platform's core capabilities – from business value and core product capabilities, to building a simple Power Apps canvas app and connecting data sources.         Connected & Ready Podcasts         IoT and adopting the edge, with Moe Tanabian Emerging technologies like IoT and AI are poised to have as dramatic an effect on the economics of innovation as the computer chip. In this episode of Connected and Ready, Moe Tanabian, Vice President and General Manager of Azure Edge Devices, joins Gemma to talk about the impact of efficient predictions, new opportunities with edge technology, the IoT value chain, and future possibilities created by IoT and other technologies. Low-Code Solutions for a Safe Return to Work, with Brennan McReynolds Our expectations at the office have been influenced by our lives as consumers, in which we've become accustomed to frictionless solutions. But workplace tech has not kept up. Add in the disruption of a pandemic, and companies often don't know where to start. On this episode of Connected & Ready, Brennan McReynolds, Global Product & Technology lead at CBRE Host, joins Gemma to talk about the shifting role of technology in creating a hospitable work environment, three things to focus on for safely returning to work, and how to build and maintain a sense of community through it all.         Exam prep news         This month, the DA-100: Analyzing Data with Microsoft Power BI Microsoft Official Practice Test was released. This practice test is designed to help you prepare for the exam.

Microsoft 365         Learn Together: Developing Apps for Teams event on Dec 16!         Developers and Teams Fans! Join us on December 16th from 9 –11 AM PT! We will be hosting LIVE conversations on Learn TV that are specially curated for developers by developers around the opportunities and reasons to build apps for Teams. There will be appearances from your favorite Microsoft personalities, surprise guests, trivia, digital swag, and a chance to win prizes in the Teams Dev Challenge. Mark your calendar for this free event.

Resources         Community Blog Twitter LinkedIn         Did someone forward this email to you? Subscribe to get more content like this.

Unsubscribe | Privacy Statement Microsoft Corporation, One Microsoft Way, Redmond, WA 98052 USA