Microsoft training & certification

iThink Technologies, an IT training facility in Davao, launched its Microsoft training and certification program today at The Venue. Together with iThink was Microsoft Philippines and edupro inc., a Manila-based training institute and Microsoft-Certified Partner for Learning Solutions.

After PhilNITS came back to Davao several weeks ago, now we have another set of certifications. One participant in the launching remarked, "Another certification? Don’t we have enough of those already?"

I don’t think so. It is in fact good for Davao. Their coming in signifies that our city is now ready to be recognized as a serious player in the IT industry at large. Think about it. If we truly desire to be an IT hub — a battle cry we’ve been espousing for some years now — then we should realize that the first indicator of such a status is the presence of certified IT practitioners. Infrastructure, government support via sound legislation, availability of funding… these are subordinate to the requirement for skilled manpower.

I know this because I have been asked about it many times. When faced with potential investors and outsourcers, they ask me: "How many programmers, systems engineers, etc. do you have in Davao?" And by those titles, these people mean ‘certified’ programmers, systems engineers, etc.

(People wonder why India has cornered the global outsourcing market. Well, there are possibly a few reasons, but this one is definitely one of them: India has lots and lots of certified IT professionals.)

Why is certification vital? It’s not only that it gives credibility to the certified. For businessmen looking to outsource their automation needs, for instance, the significance lies in the trustworthiness of the provider. ‘Will this offshore developer be able to deliver quality output, and deliver on time?’ Having a certificate doesn’t only mean you possess a skill, it also conveys a trust, that you have an acceptable level of professionalism.

These certifications don’t come cheap, though. But from what was presented today, iThink, in its collaboration with edupro and Microsoft, will offer special packages for the Davao market. [Check out their website for more information on their Microsoft certifications.] Just like for any globally-recognized certification program, commitment is highly necessary. So, if you’re committed to becoming recognized as an honest-to-goodness IT professional, the cost of the training and certification, and the time and effort involved, should be hurdles you are prepared to overcome.

Jun Mercader, managing director of iThink; Rodney Jao, general manager of Lane Systems; Hon. Rene Lopez, ICT committee chair	Rowena of the City IT Center; Nelly Sia-Agabin, general manager of Digital Interface; Boy Bawal (no kidding!) of MS Phils.; Rodney
Leave it to Microsoft to hold bongga launching parties!	Mylene Castillo, partner manager for ISV & learning solutions, MS Phils.; Jaime Garchitorena, general manager of edupro inc.
Mylene & Jaime raffled off training vouchers for MS Office 2007	Allen Aguilar of MS Phils. – Cebu office
	Rodney Jao on the new Vista OS
Rodney is an MS MVP for .net	my friend and fellow blogger, Aldrin Redolme et moi