October 1, 2024

Americas Partner Skilling News: October 2024 Issue

By Microsoft Americas Partner Team

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UPDATED: October 30, 2024

Find upcoming skilling opportunities you won’t want to miss.

Partner Training Gallery: Bookmark this page to find up-to-date technical and sales enablement events, resources, and playbooks.

See the full view of the Microsoft Partner Skilling Calendar.


Quick Links

CopilotModern Work
Sales and Pre-Sales SkillingSecurity
AzureIndustry
Business ApplicationsSMB Resellers

Regional Skilling Service Phase 1 Now Live

We are happy to announce the new Regional Skilling Service is now launched to help managed partners close skilling gaps, drive certifications, and support Microsoft priorities. This new service will provide reactive support, monthly proactive office hours, key resources, and guidance to help enhance partner capabilities in areas like AI, cybersecurity, Microsoft 365, and more.

The new GPS Regional Skilling Service will:

  • Provide managed partners with an inbound channel to submit questions and receive clear guidance on how to activate partner skilling offerings across certification training, project ready training, sales and pre-sales skilling
    • All guidance is anchored on and provided via the Microsoft Partner Training website
  • Provide a continuous feedback loop to capture field and partner feedback that will be used to continuously improve our partner skilling offerings
  • Drive awareness and attendance at in-person regional events, Partner AI Training Days, Certification Weeks for Microsoft AI Cloud Partner Program, and Project Ready Workshops

Partners can contact the Skilling Desk by sending questions via email to [email protected]

October is Cybersecurity Awareness Month

Cybersecurity Awareness Month is a vital reminder of the growing importance of securing digital environments. For Microsoft partners, investing in skilling around Microsoft security solutions is crucial to staying ahead of evolving threats. Share the latest Security skilling offerings with your partners here.


Register now for the latest skilling offerings


Microsoft AI Partner Training Day
Join us in person to hear about the latest trends and technology in the era of Al, with guidance from Microsoft executives and industry leaders.

Hear about lessons learned from real-world Al deployments, discuss sales best practices followed by Microsoft teams, get hands-on experience with Microsoft’s Al platform, and learn about go-to-market tools to build and expand your Al practice.

Berlin
Nov 7, 2024
Register now

Toronto
Dec 2, 2024
Register now

Sydney
Dec 10, 2024
Register now

Copilot Certification – Generally Available

We are thrilled to announce that the GitHub Copilot certification exam became generally available on October 24th! This is an exciting opportunity for individuals looking to validate their skills with GitHub Copilot.

We believe this certification will play a vital role in helping professionals enhance their expertise and drive success in their projects.

For more information, please visit the certification landing page. You can also find the GitHub Copilot study guide, which includes links to the Microsoft Learning paths to help prepare for the exam.

Microsoft LevelUp for Partners

On-demand content covering sales, pre-sales, and technical skilling with labs.

Request access to Microsoft LevelUp

Request access by emailing Ask GPS Enablement. In the subject line, include “LevelUp Access Request” in the body of your email, and indicate your name, work email address, and organization name.

Video: Introducing Microsoft LevelUp for Partners

 

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Upcoming events: Copilot (sales, pre-sales, and technical skilling)

Copilot for Microsoft 365, Copilot for Security, Copilot Studio, Microsoft Copilot for Service Workshop


Copilot Partner Project Ready Workshops (Level 300+ Technical)

Secure and Govern Copilot for Microsoft 365 with Microsoft Purview – Pre-sales

Nov 7, 2024
PDT, IST, GMT

Click here to register

Build or Buy? Driving customer conversations with Copilot and the Copilot stack

Nov 19-21, 2024
PDT, IST, GMT

Click here to register

Microsoft 365 & Copilot Sales Bootcamp

Nov 25, 2024
PDT, IST, GMT

Click here to register

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Upcoming events: Sales and Pre-Sales Skilling


Microsoft CSP Security Sales Bootcamp – Simplifying ME5

Oct 29-30, 2024
IST, PDT, GMT

Register now

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Upcoming events: Azure


Certification Week for Microsoft AI Cloud Partner Program

Microsoft Certification Week for Microsoft AI Cloud Partner Program is a five-day event that helps prepare you for Microsoft advanced role-based certifications. This is one of the best ways to help your organization meet the skilling criteria needed to attain a Solutions Partner designation.

Certification Weeks for Microsoft AI Cloud Partner Program: Azure & GitHub

Achieving certification demonstrates your commitment to staying ahead of the curve in a fast-paced world. Accelerate your path to certification and mastering the intricacies of DevOps with GitHub, Azure AI, data science, infrastructure, and virtual desktop solutions with Azure & GitHub Certification Week.

Dec 2-6, 2024
IST, BST, PDT

Click here to register

On-demand certification prep content

Modular Training Videos
This content is derived from Microsoft Official Curriculum and presented in a modular format for each certification course.

New training videos are available!

AZ-700: Designing and Implementing Microsoft Azure Networking Solutions – NEW

DP-600: Microsoft Fabric Analytics Engineer – NEW

DP-100: Designing and Implementing a Data Science Solution on Azure – Refreshed

AZ-204: Developing Solutions for Microsoft Azure – Refreshed

AZ-305: Developing Microsoft Azure Infrastructure Solutions – Refreshed

Register now

Partner Project Ready Workshops (Level 300+ Technical)

Technical skilling designed to build implementation and deployment capability.

Transform SAP Business Processes with Microsoft Copilot and Azure Services Bootcamp

Nov 6-8, 2024
PDT, IST, GMT

Click here to register

Microsoft Fabric Workshop

Nov 11-14, 2024
PDT, IST, GMT

Click here to register

Azure OpenAI Workshop

Oct 28-31, 2024
PDT, IST, GMT

Register now

Azure VMware Solutions Bootcamp

Nov 12-15, 2024
PDT, IST, GMT

Register now

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Upcoming events: Business Applications


Certification Week for Microsoft AI Cloud Partner Program

Microsoft Certification Week for Microsoft AI Cloud Partner Program is a five-day event that helps prepare you for Microsoft advanced role-based certifications. This is one of the best ways to help your organization meet the skilling criteria needed to attain a Solutions Partner designation.

On-demand certification prep content

Modular Training Videos
This content is derived from Microsoft’s official curriculum and is presented in a modular format for each certification course.

New training videos are available!

PL-300: Microsoft Power BI Data Analyst – Refreshed

PL-900: Microsoft Power Platform Fundamentals – Refreshed

Register now

Partner Project Ready Workshops (Level 300+ Technical)

Technical skilling designed to build implementation and deployment capability.

Innovate with AI in Automation Workshop

Nov 12-14, 2024
PDT, IST, BST

Click here to register

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Upcoming events: Modern Work


Certification Week for Microsoft AI Cloud Partner Program

Microsoft Certification Week for Microsoft AI Cloud Partner Program is a five-day event that helps prepare you for Microsoft advanced role-based certifications. This is one of the best ways to help your organization meet the skilling criteria needed to attain a Solutions Partner designation.

Certification Weeks for Microsoft AI Cloud Partner Program: Modern Work

Accelerate your path to certification and mastering the intricacies of Microsoft 365 solutions including Copilot for Microsoft 365 with Modern Work certification week events.

Nov 4-8, 2024
IST, GMT, PST

Register now

On-demand certification prep content

Modular Training Videos
This content is derived from Microsoft’s official curriculum and is presented in a modular format for each certification course.

New training videos are available!

MS-4005: Copilot for M365 – NEW

MS-4007: Copilot for M365 User Enablement Specialist – NEW

Get Started with Copilot for M365 – NEW

Register now

Partner Project Ready Workshops (Level 300+ Technical)

Technical skilling designed to build implementation and deployment capability.

Better Sell Copilot with M365 Business Case Builder and more Bootcamp

Nov 5-6, 2024
PDT, IST, GMT

Click here to register

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Upcoming events: Security


Certification Week for Microsoft AI Cloud Partner Program

Microsoft Certification Week for Microsoft AI Cloud Partner Program is a five-day event that helps prepare you for Microsoft advanced role-based certifications. This is one of the best ways to help your organization meet the skilling criteria needed to attain a Solutions Partner designation.

Certification Weeks for Microsoft AI Cloud Partner Program: Security

Accelerate your path to certification and mastering the intricacies of cybersecurity, threat protection, incident response, and more with Security certification week events.

Nov 4-8, 2024
IST, GMT, PST

Register now

On-demand certification prep content

Modular Training Videos
This content is derived from Microsoft’s official curriculum and is presented in a modular format for each certification course.

New training videos are available!

SC-300: Implement an Identity Management Solution – NEW

SC-100: Microsoft Cybersecurity Architect – Refreshed

Register now

Partner Project Ready Workshops (Level 300+ Technical)

Technical skilling designed to build implementation and deployment capability.

Threat Protection and Incident Response with Microsoft Sentinel 

Nov 12-13, 2024
IST, PDT, BST

Click here to register

Fortify Your Data Security with Microsoft Purview

Nov 12-14, 2024
IST, PDT, BST

Coming soon: Click here to register

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Upcoming events: Industry specific skilling


Microsoft AI Envisioning Webinars for Industry

Encourage your partners to join our Microsoft AI Envisioning Webinars for Industry! These sessions are perfect for ISV or SI partners who are new to AI and looking to enhance their business. The webinars will provide valuable insights into AI’s impact on various industries, showcase practical use case examples, and guide partners in identifying business problems that can be solved with AI. Your partners will learn how to recognize AI opportunities, plan their development, and explore Microsoft tools for creating transformative AI applications. By leveraging the BXT framework, they can devise a comprehensive AI development plan and start building innovative AI solutions. Help your partners elevate their business with AI by encouraging them to participate in these informative webinars!

Register now: Retail | Manufacturing | Healthcare | Sustainability | Financial Services

Industry Sales Bootcamp

The goal of the industry sales bootcamp is to address the latency that exists between customer/field and partner enablement by developing a programmatic partner sales bootcamp day. The day consists of a 4-hour, interactive session with interactive session with AM and PM sessions available to suit different time zones.

Highlight this opportunity for your partners to join our half-day session focused on Sales Training and Enablement. This session offers a valuable opportunity for partners to hear and learn from Microsoft on important product updates and receive tailored training to unlock business value and deepen customer relationships. The agenda includes an introduction, through partner pitch, feature updates, sales orchestration, incentives, and a Q&A session. Help your partners enhance their sales skills and knowledge by encouraging them to participate in this informative session!

Register now

Industry AI Business and Capability Envisioning Event Series

We are excited to announce the continuation and expansion of our virtual Industry AI Business and Capability Envisioning event series, specially designed for ISV and SI partners. This is your chance to dive into the transformative world of AI and discover how it can revolutionize your business and benefit your clients.

AI for Manufacturing

Nov 6, 2024

Click here to register

AI for Sustainability

Nov 13, 2024

Click here to register

AI for Healthcare

Nov 20, 2024

Click here to register

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Upcoming events: SMB Resellers


Copilot Sales Champion

This new offering is built to advance sales knowledge and product evangelism across each Microsoft Copilot solution within our partner community. The Copilot for Microsoft 365 Sales Champion program is an on-demand and interactive learning path available on a “first come, first served” basis while seats are available.

Registration link: Copilot Sales Champion
Access Code: XQLW-TDDJ

Azure Infrastructure SMB Sales Champion

This new offering is built to advance sales knowledge and product evangelism across each Microsoft Copilot solution within our partner community. The Copilot for Microsoft 365 Sales Champion program is an on-demand and interactive learning path available on a “first come, first served” basis while seats are available.

Registration link: Azure Infrastructure SMB Sales Champion
Access Code: MIAB-EIIH

High Volume Acceleration Series

Ready to scale and grow your Dynamics 365 practice? Take the next step and join the high-volume acceleration sessions provided by Microsoft and presented in partnership with Neural Impact. During these FREE, live experts facilitated sessions you will learn the best practices Dynamics 365 partners around the world are using to accelerate their Dynamics 365 practice and SMB & SMC customer adds. Sessions provide marketing, sales and delivery acceleration tips and strategies.

Oct 22-Dec 10, 2024
PST, CEST

Register now

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