VMware Certified Associate – Where Did That Go?
When the VMware Certified Associate – Desktop came out, I was particularly excited to see that VMware was embracing a set of certifications that did not have a course requirement to them. This seemed like a great way for someone to get their toe in the water, so to speak. Not that I feel the course requirement for the Professional (VCP) certification is wrong, but it can be quite difficult to find someone to pony up three grand to attend.
At 35 credits to attend, getting a VCP is quite expensive
So, whatever happened to this level of certification? Originally, it started as a requirement to take the Professional level Desktop exam, but that was later dropped. Additionally, the VCA level exams never expanded outside of the VMware View 4 product, and with the View 5 product Professional exam already released, it doesn’t seem like there’s any sparkle of energy to keep the Associate level certifications alive.
Understaffed?
I’m rather disappointed that the trend to introduce Associate level certifications for VMware products did not take off. It seemed like a great way to get people interested in VMware certification while also showing employers that they had the drive and passion to excel. I’m curious if the certification program is just understaffed and overworked? Compared to other certification programs (Microsoft, Cisco) that I have participated in, VMware seems very sluggish to get things taken care of.
For example – I took a Cisco exam in the morning and my transcript is updated with the results by early afternoon. The certificate is at my door in less than a week. With VMware, it typically takes months of waiting for the same thing to occur (At the time of this writing I am still waiting on an exam I took back in December to show up on my transcript).
Thoughts
I hope that as the “Version 5″ product exams are released, some new ones for Associate level certification are also created. In particular, I’d like to see one to cover general vSphere product details in addition to the Desktop one.
What are your thoughts on this?
Great post Chris! I totally agree! I hoep that VMware will put much more effort into the VCA level as that is the best pool to gain new customers and new VCPs/VCAPs
Nice post!! I for one would partake in this! It is true that this could be a good stepping stone for companies.
Better marketing and more staff seems in order. Wonder if VMware will responde not as if they have billions to play with and hire more people for program.
You know, I’ve never heard positive feedback about the VCA-DT experience. Everyone loves the idea of a foundational certification, but I would’t be surprised if the community response to that initial effort killed off any internal enthusiasm.
I agree that there needs to be an entry-level way into the VMware certification program, but it shouldn’t be an exercise in rote GUI memorization like VCA-DT was. I think a better approach would be something truly foundational–storage, network, and compute basics. Something like a blend of the EMC ISM, Cisco CCENT, and the first day of ICM.
Have that be your entry-level cert, with the general VCP as the next step. VCP-DT and VCP-CloudWhatever could be specialist tracks beyond VCP, leaving -DCD, -DCA, -DT, and -CloudWhatever VCAPs as further advanced options.
I would agree that the original VCA-DT was a poort attempt to create an entry level that was needed. Hopefully VMware is working on improving their approach to this and come out with something better soon.
Simply having to memorize GUI screens and status messages is not a proper exam.