Microsoft Training vs. Apple Training – Part I (of II)

Surveys often indicate strong positive sentiment towards IT training and certifications — proving again and again that being qualified on IT products is not only beneficial to the individual holding the certification, but that certs also substantially increase value to a company and their IT teams.

Microsoft and Apple alike back their proven business applications with extensive industry-approved IT curriculum aimed at certification in both end-user and system administrator roles.

In Part I here of ‘Microsoft Training vs. Apple Training‘ we’ll take a look at Apple’s version of a professional certification lineup.

Although Apple provides more of a simplistic approach to its IT professional certifications [with only three certs], they do offer an extensive end-user curriculum — completely geared towards high performance media applications — and highly relevant to current industry. Such as:

Photography post-production with Aperture
Motion picture editing with Final Cut
Sound production with Logic
Digital image color management with ColorSync

On the other hand, Apple offer a limited, but targeted IT curriculum related to Mac OS X systems support — through a 3-track system of certifications (in this order):

Apple Certified Support Specialist (ACSP) – “This certification is ideal for help desk personnel, service technicians, technical co-ordinators, and others who support Mac OS X customers over the phone or who perform Mac OS X troubleshooting and support in schools and businesses”
Apple Certified Technical Co-ordinator (ACTC) – “This certification is ideal for Mac OS X technical co-coordinators and entry-level system administrators who provide technical support to Mac OS X users, as well as maintain the Mac OS X Server platform.”
Apple Certified System Administrator (ACSA) – “This certification is designed for professional system administrators and engineers managing medium-to-large networks of systems utilizing Mac OS X Server and other Apple technologies in complex multi-platform deployments.”

Although not on the scale of Microsoft’s massive and longstanding training program, Apple still offers key certifications that will boost your marketability and get you noticed in any sea of competing media design staff.

See more of Apple’s end-user and IT professional certifications on their training website.

Tags: admin, apple, apple training, color management, entry-level, help desk, IT, media applications, microsoft, microsoft training, motion picture editing, os x, os x server, photography editing, productivity, professional certification, service technicians, sound production, system administrator, technical training, technology, technology training, tips, windows

am0

Apple seem to have always tried to keep their support staff very focused. When applying for a sales job in one of their stores they were purely looking at people's personalities and ability to talk well, rather than technical proficiency.
I can spiel on and on about practically any piece of Apple software and hardware for as long as you want, and in the group interview I was probably the smartest guy there. But when I wasn't taken on I went back to find that it was the few overly-extravertial people who had actually got the job. Initially very annoying, (I want a job!) but in hindsight it's a very good business model.

Meatleg

Speaking of which, there is an Apple certification study group here in Tokyo:
http://applecert.org/
We are just starting a new book and we are attending some events together as well very soon. Check the site for details.

JaySmy

I was hired by Apple to work at a store in Colorado, but I haven't had any luck being hired in Japan. I did at least get an interview in Osaka but no dice. :-(

I began studying Apple Certification last year with a non-profit study group called AppleCert (dot org) that meets in Meguro in the Tokyo area. If anyone in the community is interested in joining our study groups, we are just starting new books and we don't pay for anything but the rent for the space in which we study. I just passed the first level ACSP!

Microsoft Training vs. Apple Training – Part I (of II)

Search

TechMiso Tweets

Recent Posts

Recent Comments