By Jaime Garchitorena, President, Edupro Incorporated
There are only 4 genuine Microsoft Authorized training Centers in the Philippines. How to spot ILLEGAL TRAINING and GREY MARKET TRAINING CENTERS.
Nobody likes being cheated out of their hard earned money. When you go to a GREY MARKET or COLORUM training center that claims to deliver genuine Microsoft training, that’s what’s happening; these guys are CHEATING YOU OUT OF YOUR MONEY.
When you go to train in Microsoft Technologies, you’re paying REAL MONEY so you want REAL TRAINING. This means you want AUTHORISED AND CERTIFIED TRAINERS and GENUINE and LEGAL Microsoft training materials. Having GENUINE MICRSOSOFT trainers doing the training lets you know that the guy in front of you really knows what he’s talking about And using GENUINE and LEGAL Microsoft materials guarantees that all your training is up to date.
So how do you spot an ILLEGAL or COLORUM training center? Here are some FAQs.
1. Can anybody teach Microsoft Technologies?
Technically anyone can teach Microsoft technologies but not everybody can claim that their training is AUTHORISED by Microsoft. Microsoft appoints authorized training centers to organizations that pass their internal quality standards and in the Philippines there are only four authorized training centers. Edupro has been an authorized training partner of Microsoft for seventeen (17) years.
2. How do I find an AUTHORISED Microsoft Training center?
Authorized Microsoft training centers are called Certified Partners for Learning Solutions or CPLS. You can find a list of authorized CPLSs here . Is the training center you’re considering on the list? If not then chances are it’s not GENUINE Microsoft training. Also, if you walk into a training center, there should be certificates that Microsoft issues to legitimate CPLS partners hanging on the wall for your reference. Edupro is proud to be a Microsoft partner and proudly displays these certification in out waiting room.
3. If someone is offering training outside a CPLS venue does that mean its ILLEGAL or COLORUM?
For training to be legal it has to be either held in the listed CPLS venue, managed directly by the CPLS at another venue, OR it must be held at the venue of a Microsoft Partner AND supervised by a CPLS. The CPLS will make sure that the computers, software, course materials, and trainers are of the highest quality. If a Microsoft Partner is publicly offering you training, ask them what CPLS is doing the supervision. After that look at the list of authorized CPLS , call them, and verify that they are really supervising the training you’re getting. If no CPLS will verify that they are supervising the training then there’s a good chance it’s not authorized Microsoft training.
4. What training materials and documents do I get if I’m enrolled in an authorized training center?
When you start your training the first thing you get is a copy of the Microsoft Official Curriculum or MOC. Click here to see what a MOC looks like.
Photocopies are never allowed by Microsoft and violate international copyright laws. Possession of these copies may land you in trouble with the law.
When you end your training a CPLS will give you a GENUINE CERTIFICATE OF COMPLETION. Click here to see what the newest genuine certificate looks like.
If after the training you do not get a genuine certificate, report the incident to us and we will help you contact a Microsoft Authorized Representative.
5. How do I know if a trainer is certified by Microsoft to teach me or in my company?
Certified Microsoft trainers are called MCTs or Microsoft Certified Trainers. A MCT must pass globally accepted examinations as proof of his expertise AND he must also go through teaching methodology training. Each Bona-fide Microsoft trainer has a globally recognized identification number. This number is indicated on an ID card. Click here to see what an MCT card looks like.
If you have doubts about a trainer and his credentials, call us and well help you verify if he is a genuine MCT.
6. Can a genuine Microsoft Certified Trainer (MCT) conduct training anywhere?
No. An MCT can only hold trainings in CPLS training centers, off-site training locations supervised by a CPLS, and at the locations of Microsoft Partners that are supervised by a CPLS. On his own, an MCT does not have access to genuine materials (called MOCs) and other genuine software based exercises that are necessary to give complete training. If someone claiming to be an MCT offers you or your company training without the supervision of a CPLS, please report this to us and we will help facilitate your complaint with Microsoft Philippines.
In summary, genuine Microsoft Certified Training must have the following:
Venue:
It must be held in a CPLS venue, in an off-site venue directly supervised by a CPLS, or in an office of a Microsoft Partner and supervised by a CPLS.
Materials:
- Genuine Microsoft official Curriculum (MOC). No Photocopies.
- Genuine Certificate of Completion
Trainers:
- Must be Microsoft Certified trainers (MCT)
- Must be able to present his Microsoft MCT ID
If your training is missing any of these, please feel free to contact us or Microsoft directly at (+632)860-8989.
Remember, the value training is not just in learning something new, but more importantly, training must important to your employer, as proof of your expertise, and to you, as a means to move up in the corporate world.
Availing of COLORUM training puts your credibility as an IT professional and your future career at risk.
