Microsoft has announced a new partnership with Acclaim to launch a new badge platform. To help Microsoft Certified Professionals (MCPs), the company’s new badges can aid in achieving certifications. The Microsoft badges can also help MCPs pass certain exams.
Acclaim is a company under Pearson VUE’s wing, which serves as Microsoft’s test-delivery partner. These digital badges gives Microsoft Certified Professionals the ability to share their skills easily. With Microsoft badges, professionals will have a secure and verified platform.
“Badges are web-enabled representations of your Microsoft certifications,” the company says in a blog post. “Your digital badge is made of an image and metadata uniquely linked to you. This ensures that only you can take credit for your achievement. You can share your digital badge to popular online destinations, such as LinkedIn, Facebook, and Twitter. It can also be embedded in a résumé, your personal website, or an email signature. Anyone who views your badge can select it to learn more about your skills and to verify its authenticity.”
The platform is built on the Open Badges standards defined by Mozilla. This digital badge ecosystem allows Microsoft certifications through an individually unique image and metadata badge/s.
MCPs can use the platform to find other professional and employers looking for their specific skills. New job opportunities will also be available.
Features and Eligibility
Microsoft badges let users:
- Easily share your certification online with your professional network.
- Find out which employers are looking for individuals with your skills.
- Discover what kind of salary you could expect to earn in a job that requires your Microsoft skills.
- Search for new job opportunities associated with your certification, and apply in just a few clicks.
At the moment, Microsoft is opening badges as a pilot offering. Until the start of November, MCPs who pass a limited number of exams or certification on or after Oct. 21 will get a badge. Starting next month, Microsoft will start to retroactively hand out badges for MCPs with exams or certifications before Oct. 21. The company will also roll out more badges in January 2017.
