Microsoft admits certifications can be a drag, launches creds that recognize skills

When The Register writes about professional certifications offered by vendors, we often receive comments arguing that such credentials are nowhere near as valuable as real-world experience. Now, Microsoft has acknowledged there’s some merit in that argument.

Redmond revealed its stance last week in a post from general manager for content and insights Cameron Percy, who observed: “For years, people have asked for a simpler way to prove the skills they use in the flow of work, without stepping away to prepare for another test.”

Microsoft’s response is the “Pro Badge,” a new form of credential that Percy wrote “works alongside Microsoft Certifications.”

“Certifications show that you can solve problems in a role or field. Pro Badge shows how you use a specific product in your everyday work. Together, they give a more complete picture of what you can do.”

“Instead of capturing skills on a single test day, this approach keeps pace with your work and the products you use,” …