Microsoft Launches Six Free IT Courses for Tech Professionals

Microsoft, the leading technology company, has announced six free IT courses for tech professionals who want to upgrade their skills and knowledge in various domains. The courses cover topics such as cloud computing, artificial intelligence, data science, cybersecurity, and more. The courses are designed to help tech professionals prepare for the Microsoft certification exams, which can boost their career prospects and credibility.

Why Microsoft is Offering Free IT Courses

Microsoft is offering free IT courses for tech professionals as part of its initiative to bridge the skills gap and empower the digital transformation of the world. According to Microsoft, there is a huge demand for skilled IT professionals in the current and future job market, as technology evolves and becomes more complex and pervasive. However, there is also a shortage of qualified IT professionals who can meet the demand and deliver innovative solutions.

Microsoft believes that by providing free IT courses, it can help tech professionals learn new skills and technologies, and validate their expertise with globally recognized certifications. Microsoft also hopes that by offering free IT courses, it can inspire more people to pursue a career in IT, and increase the diversity and inclusion in the tech industry.

What are the Six Free IT Courses

The six free IT courses that Microsoft is offering for tech professionals are:

• Azure Fundamentals: This course teaches the basics of cloud computing and Microsoft Azure, including core services, security, privacy, compliance, and trust. The course also prepares the learners for the AZ-900: Microsoft Azure Fundamentals certification exam.
• AI Fundamentals: This course introduces the concepts and applications of artificial intelligence, including machine learning, computer vision, natural language processing, and conversational AI. The course also prepares the learners for the AI-900: Microsoft Azure AI Fundamentals certification exam.
• Data Fundamentals: This course covers the fundamentals of data and data analysis, including relational and non-relational data, data processing, data visualization, and data ethics. The course also prepares the learners for the DP-900: Microsoft Azure Data Fundamentals certification exam.
• Power Platform Fundamentals: This course explains how to use the Microsoft Power Platform to build low-code solutions for data analysis, automation, and app development. The course also prepares the learners for the PL-900: Microsoft Power Platform Fundamentals certification exam.
• Security, Compliance, and Identity Fundamentals: This course explores the concepts and best practices of security, compliance, and identity in the cloud, including threat protection, information protection, governance, and identity management. The course also prepares the learners for the SC-900: Microsoft Security, Compliance, and Identity Fundamentals certification exam.
• Microsoft 365 Fundamentals: This course provides an overview of the Microsoft 365 cloud services and applications, such as Office 365, Windows 10, and Enterprise Mobility + Security. The course also prepares the learners for the MS-900: Microsoft 365 Fundamentals certification exam.

How to Enroll in the Free IT Courses

The free IT courses are available on the Microsoft Learn platform, which is an online learning portal that offers interactive and self-paced learning modules, videos, quizzes, and hands-on labs. The learners can access the courses anytime and anywhere, and track their progress and achievements. The learners can also join the Microsoft Learn community, where they can connect with other learners and experts, and get support and feedback.

To enroll in the free IT courses, the learners need to have a Microsoft account, which they can create for free. The learners can then visit the Microsoft Learn website, and choose the course that they want to take. The learners can also browse the course catalog, and filter the courses by role, level, product, and certification. The learners can start the course immediately, or save it for later.

The free IT courses are self-paced, and can be completed in a few hours or days, depending on the learner’s schedule and pace. The learners can also earn badges and points for completing the courses, and share their achievements on social media and professional networks.

How to Prepare for the Microsoft Certification Exams

The free IT courses are designed to help the learners prepare for the Microsoft certification exams, which can validate their skills and knowledge in the IT domain. The certification exams are administered by Pearson VUE, a global testing provider, and can be taken online or at a testing center. The certification exams are timed and proctored, and consist of multiple-choice, drag-and-drop, case study, and performance-based questions.

To prepare for the Microsoft certification exams, the learners can use the following resources:

• Microsoft Learn: The learners can review the free IT courses, and take the practice tests and quizzes to assess their readiness and identify their knowledge gaps.
• Microsoft Docs: The learners can access the official documentation and reference materials for the Microsoft products and services, and learn the latest features and updates.
• Microsoft Learn TV: The learners can watch live and on-demand videos from Microsoft experts and instructors, and get tips and insights on the IT topics and certification exams.
• Microsoft Learn Blog: The learners can read the latest news and stories from the Microsoft Learn team and community, and get inspired and motivated by the success stories and testimonials of other learners and certified professionals.
• Microsoft Learn Forums: The learners can ask questions and get answers from the Microsoft Learn moderators and other learners, and share their feedback and suggestions on the Microsoft Learn platform and courses.

The Microsoft certification exams cost $99 USD each, and can be purchased online or with a voucher. The learners can also get discounts and offers on the certification exams, such as the Microsoft Certification Exam Offer, which allows the learners to take one exam and get a second chance to pass it for free, if they fail the first attempt.

The learners can also get the Microsoft Certified: Fundamentals certification, which is a foundational-level certification that demonstrates the learner’s understanding of the core concepts and principles of the IT domain. The learners can earn the Microsoft Certified: Fundamentals certification by passing any one of the six certification exams mentioned above.

Conclusion

Microsoft is offering six free IT courses for tech professionals who want to upgrade their skills and knowledge in various domains, such as cloud computing, artificial intelligence, data science, cybersecurity, and more. The courses are available on the Microsoft Learn platform, and can help the learners prepare for the Microsoft certification exams, which can boost their career prospects and credibility. The courses are self-paced, interactive, and engaging, and can be accessed anytime and anywhere. The courses are also suitable for beginners and experienced tech professionals, as they cover the fundamentals and advanced topics of the IT domain.