Today, we’re excited to announce new entry-level Professional Certificates from Microsoft in cybersecurity and Microsoft Power BI. Learners can pre-enroll in the certificates on Learning Platform today, with courses rolling out in the coming weeks. Designed for learners of all skill-levels and backgrounds – no college degree or prior industry experience required – each certificate prepares learners to step into an entry-level cybersecurity or Power BI role.
Demand for cybersecurity and business intelligence (BI) professionals is growing as organizations implement more digital tools and infrastructure. In the US alone¹, there are 170,000+ open entry-level roles in cybersecurity and 60,000+ for Power BI developers. That opportunity is expected to grow, with the World Economic Forum projecting that cybersecurity and BI roles will be among the fastest growing sectors in the coming five years. To help learners pursue these roles, we’re launching the following offerings.
- Microsoft Cybersecurity Analyst Professional Certificate – This nine-course certificate explores core cybersecurity skills, from detecting and escalating threats to using key technologies including Microsoft Azure. It can be completed in roughly four to six months with about 10 hours of learning per week. Upon completion, learners will be prepared for entry-level roles such as cybersecurity analyst.
- Microsoft Power BI Data Analyst Professional Certificate – This eight-course certificate teaches learners the fundamentals of Microsoft’s Power BI, a top business intelligence platform that’s used by companies around the world, including 97% of the Fortune 500. The certificate can be completed in roughly four to six months with about 10 hours of learning per week. Upon completion, learners will be prepared for entry-level roles such as Power BI developer or analyst.
Each program prepares learners for an industry-recognized certification exam. Completers of the Cybersecurity Analyst program will be ready to take the SC-900: Microsoft Security Compliance and Identity Fundamentals Exam, while those who take the Power BI certificate will be prepared for the PL-300: Microsoft Power BI Data Analyst Exam. To provide learners with an additional boost in kicking off their careers, Microsoft is providing the first 2,500 learners who pre-enroll in either certificate on Learning Platform with vouchers that fully cover the cost of the respective Microsoft certification exam². Women in Cloud is also offering scholarships for learners to take the Microsoft Professional Certificates on Learning Platform. More details here.
“To help address talent shortages affecting industries worldwide, Microsoft is committed to supporting skilling programs that empower individuals and organizations to achieve more. By leveraging the transformative speed and scale of online learning and industry-recognized Microsoft certifications, Learning Platform’s Professional Certificates provide quality education and teach the right skills for future success. Together with Learning Platform, we’re expanding opportunities for people of all backgrounds through job-relevant learning enriched by Microsoft’s technological expertise and tools,” said Elisa Graceffo, Senior Director of Technical Content, Microsoft.
The two new programs announced today are Microsoft’s first entry-level certificates on Learning Platform and join its growing catalog of career-relevant courses, Specializations, and Professional Certificates. On Learning Platform, entry-level Professional Certificates have proven to be a particularly meaningful pathway to employment, with one in four certificate completers reporting they got a new job³. We’re proud to work with Microsoft to enable learners to develop in-demand job skills, such as cybersecurity and Power BI, while also helping expand the talent pool for organizations around the world.
Kickstart your career in cybersecurity and Power BI today on Learning Platform.
¹ Lightcast™ US Job Postings (Last 12 Months: Jan. 1, 2022 – Dec. 31, 2022)
² A limited number (5,000) of vouchers that cover the full cost of a Microsoft certification exam will be provided to learners on a first-come-first-serve basis who pre-enroll in the Microsoft Cybersecurity Analyst Professional Certificate or Microsoft Power BI Analyst Professional Certificate on Learning Platform and complete the certificate. All learners with a Learning Platform account are eligible.
³ Learning Platform Learner Outcomes Report (2023)