Microsoft Role-Based Certification

Last week Microsoft announced the retirement of the MCSA, MCSD and MCSE certifications (June this year) and followed that up with an announcement that there will be no more dedicated certification for Windows or SQL Server 2019 (see the Q&A at the bottom of this page).

I was initially surprised, SQL Server 2019 is what I would consider a major release and it seemed odd not to make certification for it available in the future. So what's the alternative? 

Step forward role-based certification.

Role-based certification isn't actually new, Microsoft first started focusing on this in September 2018 only now it's going to be pretty much the only route available, and I totally get it.  Yes, it sucks for those currently studying towards certification that will cease to exist in under four months, that to me seems really harsh and I can see why people are frustrated, 100%.

But for a long time I've been an advocate of people focusing their learning on the cloud. Until recently I hadn't taken an exam since the SQL Server 2005 MCTS but have since passed the Azure Fundamentals exam and I've seen lots of other people doing the same. To me it makes perfect sense; lots of businesses have either moved, are in the process of, or certainly thinking about moving to the cloud; in IT - you have to be part of that.

Role-based certification is also a great model for those new to IT. I frequently get asked how to get started in an IT career and I think role-based certification helps people visualise career paths and map out relevant certification. 100% certs don't guarantee jobs but they most definitely help to open doors.

It's all too easy for those of us who have been in a career for a long time to devalue certification and whilst I understand where that view comes from, when looking at it from the point of view of someone starting out, I'd say they're massively important, vital even.

In April 2020 the new Azure Database Administrator Associate certification starts and whilst SQL Server 2019 content will be part of this exam the title of the exam shows quite clearly what the priority is, but here's my concern. Things move really fast in the cloud, a lot faster than on premise and certainly a heck of a lot faster than exams, so can the new certification stay completely up to date be totally relevant to the roles they are based on? 

Whilst I'm surprised dedicated SQL Server 2019 certification has been binned I do like the new direction. I know the official blurb says the role based exams suit seasoned professionals too (and I'm sure they do to some degree) the biggest benefit is for those starting out on a career and for those people, I think it's a great move.