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NVQs vs Microsoft

Distance learning has been cited as being the future of mid-career retraining and skills development, but with a plethora of qualifications to choose from, it can be difficult to narrow down which certificate will open more doors for newly qualified members of the IT community.

The traditional choice has been between the Government-backed NVQ system and vendor qualifications such as those created by the likes of Microsoft and Cisco. The NVQ system is fine if you want a generic overview of IT, but is lacking when it comes to developing software/hardware-specific skills. The other major problem with NVQ qualifications is that they are not in demand within the IT industry whereas vendor qualifications are. With no Government funding to back courses leading to vendor qualifications, this makes the most sought-after Microsoft qualifications unobtainable to those who cannot afford the fees, unless supported by employers or though committed personal funding. This is a crying shame for the IT industry, because it's these vendor qualifications that are most in demand in an expanding industry ruled by the mighty Microsoft.

Businesses can receive government funding to retrain their employees towards NVQ qualifications. However, this precludes the individual seeking a career change, because few employers are going to use government funds to cross train an employee and then stand by and watch them apply for a job at a different company involving their new skills.

The higher level NVQs are awarded following a period of work place assessment. Again, this precludes the individual seeking a career change. It's a classic Catch 22 situation, without the qualification you stand less chance of gaining a new career, but you cannot gain an NVQ without work place assessment!

Another problem is the ability to update NVQ curriculums to match the pace of technological advancement within the IT industry, in particular software development. This is where vendor training is far more relevant and where Microsoft training in particular comes into its own.

There is no debating the fact that Microsoft's Windows is the operating system of choice for both personal and business use. Microsoft has been at the forefront of the IT revolution for over 20 years now, and doesn't look like relinquishing its crown to any newcomers any time soon. This means that Microsoft software will continue to develop and integrate itself into the business world, requiring workers trained specifically in its operation and future developments currently in the pipeline. Qualifications such as the Microsoft Certified Desktop Support Technician certificate give those holding it the opportunity to work wherever Microsoft software is used - which is just about everywhere these days. These vendor qualifications are more relevant than a generic NVQ, and certainly look better on a CV because it tells a prospective employer that the candidate is capable of using the employer's network software or hardware.

NVQs certainly have their place in skills development and retraining, even in mid-career. The differing levels of NVQ qualification enable everyone to update their CV with a generic certificate that shows an ability to grasp the general principles of IT or software/hardware use and maintenance. However what employers are looking for now is a workforce that has specific training in a particular area and to a very high level. In this instance, vendor qualifications win hands down every time.