Virtualization: A Hot Area for IT Training

  By Julieann Scalisi —

Specialized Programs Based on Level and Skills

The Citrix Education certification program is organized into distinct solution paths that enable IT associates to achieve certification in application virtualization, server virtualization, desktop virtualization and application networking products. IT professionals also can demonstrate breadth by learning and training across a full spectrum of virtualization technologies.

Classes are designed for specific roles and functions to ensure participants are gaining useful knowledge and skills that are relevant to their jobs. As more companies embrace and recognize the benefits of virtualization, hiring managers are looking for candidates that have a combination of certification and experience with virtualization. More than ever, hiring managers are placing a high value on time spent in the classroom because they know this is an indicator that a prospective employee can add value quickly.

The upcoming advanced Citrix certifications will include upgrade paths that will make it easier for experienced IT professionals to keep their certification status up to date, as well as attain the next level of certification more quickly by accounting for and acknowledging previous training and on-the-job experience. IT professionals get credit for what they already know and skills they have already mastered. Professionals can take the appropriate-level training courses and then prove their capabilities via Citrix exams that evaluate their skills and levels of competence.

This flexible approach to training and certification helps organizations save time and allows IT professionals at all levels to focus on developing the specific skills they need to bring the most value to their organizations.

Recommendations for IT Professionals

So what should IT professionals do if they want to be as valuable to their organizations as possible? Fundamentally, they must be able to identify and implement solutions to real business problems. To that end, they should gain an understanding of their organizations’ current challenges, direction and priorities for virtualization. A good first step is to meet with their managers to learn both what’s most important to the organization today and what will be important in the future. Ask the question, “What are our IT objectives over the next three years?”

Having this conversation and creating a development plan to obtain the necessary skills is an essential way to take control of your professional destiny and choose the smartest way to build your career path in an area with huge opportunity. Keep in mind that training will play a significant role in your development plan, ensuring your virtualization skills bring your organization the best return on its technology investments.

From trainee to the most senior levels, it’s clear IT professionals are obtaining virtualization training and certification as a way to bolster the value they bring to their organizations. The key is to understand the full breadth and potential of virtualization solutions and build education into your overall virtualization strategy. 

Julieann Scalisi is managing director of education for Citrix Systems. She has more than 20 years of experience in the training and certification industry. She can be reached at editor@certmag.com.