Certification training: Self study 101

If you are looking at obtaining a certification in Kenya, whether Microsoft, Comptia, HP or Cisco, training and preparation is essential. The big question always is if you can’t get your employer to pay, can you afford it?

Certs in Kenya can be expensive especially for students and/or job entry professionals. Training fees in Kenya rages from Ksh30,000 to Ksh.150,000 on a single certification without the exam cost. It's obstacles like this that hinder cert progress in Kenya to individuals who are in most occasions self sponsored.

Exit training fees enter self study. Self study has become the chosen method of learning new information or continuing one’s education. This method proves to be more adaptive inform of time consumption and self pace.

When settling out to study for the certs, one of the most important tools you will use is an e-book. E-Books are often the least expensive and simplest way to study for your exams. If you already have some knowledge of your subject, they are a great way to prepare. There are several good study guides and books out there, once you know how and where to look. Most certification books come with practice question CD and other helpful study tools.

Quick tips:

• Always check year or date published and make sure you’re getting recent books with current information.
• Look for book reviews on websites like amazon.com
• Look for established authors who have published multiple books like Mike Meyers.

Another method for self study is video training. Video training is becoming very popular and is a great way to learn at your own pace, with a classroom experience. Video training are good for demonstration and interactivity purpose. They crate powerful and very high impact learning experience. Providers of computer based training videos for IT professionals include: trainsignal.com, cbtnuggets.com, learnsmartsystems.com, and vtc.com.

With sites like Googletrader.com and uzanunua.com, you can get great deals on used servers, software and other hardware. There is nothing like working with real-world equipment to help prepare for an exam.

Check for learning materials in certcollection.org, techexams.net, warez-bb.org, pdfbook.co.ke and certification news at mcpmag.com, informit.com, and born to learn

Always be on the look out for promotional offers, discounted and free vouchers on vendors’ websites and tech forums.

Whatever you do keep away from Braindumps ! IT certifications, like the doctor says, are bigger on the inside.

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Top 10 I.T Certifications in Kenya for 2012.

As the country slowly positions itself as an I.C.T hub in the global market with innovations like M-Pesa, Konza city (ongoing) and other numerous developments. Certifications will also play a bigger role in the technology arena.
I.T certifications boast of numerous benefits.  They encourage higher salaries, validate I.T techies' skills in specific technology platform and assist in job search. The debate though, on the best and meaningful certification,becomes polarized across I.T pros and hiring managers. I.T certifications after all will likely be different across technology professionals,employers and industries alike as demand for specific technology will also vary.
Which then are the best certification in Kenya for 2012 in terms of demand by both I.T pros and hiring Managers.

NOTE: The list was drawn randomly.

1. MCITP: Windows 2008 Server Enterprise Administrator.

Windows 2008 is and will be the most ordinary utilized managing framework in the organization today. It provides a significant vital learning for managing a vast homestead of servers like VCP and MCTS.

2. Microsoft Certified Technology Specialist (M.C.T.S)

MCTS helps I.T techies validate their skills in installing, maintaining and troubleshooting a specific Microsoft technology. Popular MCTS in Kenya include: Windows 7 configuring, SQL server 2008, Exchange Server 2010, Server 2008 R2, Server virtualization and Sharepoint Server 2007.

3. Project Management Professional (PMP)

In 2012, an exceptional task project managers will be the most sought-after in all I.T sections with skills in system analysis being on the forefront.

4. MCSE/MCSA:

Yes MCSE is not going anywhere. MCSE credentials still remain valuable. This cert tends to prove that, holders have been working within the tech field for long with a range of expertise from client and server administration to security issues on windows platform. With several of its exams retiring or having been discontinued, MCSE is and will be the king in Kenya throughout 2012.

5. CompTia A+ and N+

Being vendor neutral certs, A+ and N+ are the leading entry level certification in Kenya. Adding an A+ certification on a resume tells hiring managers that you have proven computer support and maintenance expertise.

Comptia N+ is a foundation for a network technician and provides a significant headstart for studying CCNA.

6. CCNA, CCNP

CCNA is a highly technical and internationally recognized certification. CCNA and CCNP are a requirement for network engineers, mostly demanded by telecommunication industries in Kenya.

The Kenyan industry is currently is in a mix of Cisco and Juniper products thus a demand for Juniper Certified professionals. Though a headache, CCNA and CCNP are worth the trouble.

7. MCITP: Enterprise Desktop Administrator 7.

Windows 8 is on the way, but at companies level, windows 7 is here to stay. This certification provides the knowledge to install manage and maintain Windows 7 computers.

8. VM Certified Professional.

No ideal organization will do away with a VM Certified Professional. The VCP Certification confirms that you have the education needed to successfully install, deploy, scale and manage VMware vsphere environments.

9. CISA: Certified Information Systems Auditor.

Possessing the CISA designation demonstrates proficiency in information system audit, control and security skills.

CISA is the most sought after Certification in Kenya for Information System consultants, Information Systems security auditors, financial officers and Chief Information officers.

10. CISSP: Certified Information Systems Security Professional

CISSP is a certification for professionals who define the architecture, design, manage and or control the assurance of security in business environments.

Professionals in the security field are and will always be in demand both locally and internationally. 

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Certification for Kenyan Developers

 

A professional Certification for Kenyan developers is currently being developed by computer scientists at the Carnegie Mellon University in collaboration with the Kenya ICT Board through KTCIP (Kenya Transparency and communications Infrastructure project). The project is dubbed Chipuka, a swahili word meaning 'to emerge'.

The exam will require sofware developers to perform the kind of tasks encountered in the actual work environment. Exam takers will add software features, correct errors and make modifications on a model software system.


Philip Miller, a project scientist who is leading the project, said the pilot exam will be ready by march 2013 and the certification should be fully operational in kenya by October 2013.

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