Dell EMC Ups the Certifications Ante

New Dell EMC certifications, introduced Thursday, elevate what was EMC’s Proven Professional Program, prior to the Dell acquisition, to another level. Now known as the Dell EMC Proven Professional Program, the portfolio expands from a three-tier structure to four tiers with the introduction of a Master level credential. 

The vendor introduced a total of four new certifications: Dell EMC Certified Master – Enterprise Architect; Certified Expert Systems Administrator – Multi-Cloud; Certified Specialist Systems Administrator – Infrastructure Security; and Certified Associate – Converged Systems and Hybrid Cloud Platforms. 

“These offers are focused on a growing talent gap that’s being generated by a shift in the digital economy,” Charles Atkins, vice president, Dell EMC Education Services, told Channel Futures. “As the industry transforms towards digital, companies have to evolve skill set gaps that appear.” 

Charles Atkins

Charles Atkins

The new certifications address the business skills that go hand in hand with the technology skills required for digital transformation. 

Here’s a closer look: 

The real highlight among the new certifications is the Dell EMC Certified Master Enterprise Architect level certification.

“This [certification] moves individuals from technologists to transformational leaders, tightly aligning skill sets and capability to architect an end-to-end IT-as-a-service solution at company level,” Atkins said. 

The robust Master Enterprise Architect certification has steep requirements – such as the aforementioned board-review process – to validate business and technical acumen, holistic understanding of business strategy and goals, knowledge of both IT service and financial models, and extensive experience building modern, secure ITaaS solutions. This certification requires about 15 years of industry experience, according to Mike Apigian, senior director, product development, Dell EMC Education Services. 

There aren’t currently any requirements for Dell EMC partners to get the new certifications, but the Master-level certification could well be a differentiator for partners who opt to pursue it. 

“Transformational certification capability starts to broaden the conversations partners have with customers, as they [customers] are trying to work through the digital evolution that they’re struggling with,” said Atkins. 

Dell EMC recommends that partners pursue the new certifications. For this fiscal year, the certifications aren’t required as part of the Dell EMC partner program; however, the company’s accreditation team will review certification compliance for the next fiscal year and beyond. 

Partners should contact Dell EMC for more details about a road map and requirements for the new certifications. The Master Enterprise Architect certification is available today, availability for the Certified Expert Multi-Cloud is April 30, and in June, the Certified Specialist Infrastructure Security becomes available. 

The Certified Associate Converged Systems and Hybrid Cloud Platforms credential was rolled out in mid-December without much fanfare. 

Dell EMC also is making available the opportunity to earn co-skilled badges that recognize an individual’s broader solutions-oriented skills and experience. IT professionals who are already certified or plan to be certified in VMware as well as Dell EMC’s new certifications can earn co-skilled badges for the following combinations: