How To Get Apple Certification
Hi,
I am new to Apple insider and to Apple technology.
But within apple?s technology lies my future.
I have worked with PC?s for a long time, and it is, in short P*££ing me off.
I love the way that apple designer have put the user first, with in there Mac technology and software.
(Question)
So my question is, In the PC world you can take course to become, either an MCSE or MCP qualified Professional, (MCSE= Microsoft certified systems engineer, and MCP= Microsoft certified Professional) is there any type of certification within apples own technology?s and software, that you can take?
Again with the MCSE & MCP there is the option to take these courses by studding for them at home in your own time, and then when ready just pay for the test, is this also possible with in the apple certification and if so were would I get the information needed to begin?
Any help would be great, oh yeah, and I?m based in the UK
I am new to Apple insider and to Apple technology.
But within apple?s technology lies my future.
I have worked with PC?s for a long time, and it is, in short P*££ing me off.
I love the way that apple designer have put the user first, with in there Mac technology and software.
(Question)
So my question is, In the PC world you can take course to become, either an MCSE or MCP qualified Professional, (MCSE= Microsoft certified systems engineer, and MCP= Microsoft certified Professional) is there any type of certification within apples own technology?s and software, that you can take?
Again with the MCSE & MCP there is the option to take these courses by studding for them at home in your own time, and then when ready just pay for the test, is this also possible with in the apple certification and if so were would I get the information needed to begin?
Any help would be great, oh yeah, and I?m based in the UK
Comments
useless. In fact, some of us view them as undesirable. I
suppose it depends on the level of position you seek. Like
a degree from a lesser college, certification can actually
be detrimental to landing a prestigious job.
Rather than certification, I'd work harder on
communication skills. Your post hurt my head! (Hopefully
english isn't your native language)
What my geranial question was how do you get a job working with apple technology (i.e. Xserve/Power Mac G5+), and what qualifications do you need make it possible.
And what options are there for acquiring such qualifications?
Also thank you for taking the Mickey, as I am dyslexic and have trouble communicating in the form of words, what it is I am trying to communicate, so I am sorry about my pore English but we are not all perfect, and you should be glad you don't have the kind of difficulties that I have. As I am sure life would be a lot more difficult for you, if you did.
Thanks anyway.
Sorry, I don't really think there is a certification path to Mac based employment.
'taking the Mikey'? I love british slang!
(dfiler takes his mikey to google to find out what it is)
I looked around apple's site and finally found what certifications are available but still no idea how to get started with them.
Here is the blurb from apple site:
Apple offers in-depth certification programmes designed to create a high level of competency among Macintosh service technicians, help desk personnel, technical coordinators, system administrators and professional users.
Apple certification exams are delivered at Prometric testing centres worldwide. Use the links below to locate detailed requirements, associated training links and Skills Assessment Guides for the certification programmes.
Mac OS X and Mac OS X Server Certifications
Apple provides three certification tracks for professionals who support Mac OS X customers or who perform Mac OS X troubleshooting. The higher certifications also address support for the Mac OS X Server platform.
Apple Certified Help Desk Specialist (ACHDS)
This new certification is ideal for help desk personnel, service technicians, technical coordinators and others who support Mac OS X customers over the phone or who perform Mac OS X troubleshooting and support in schools or businesses. NB: This certification does not include support for the Mac OS X Server platform.
Required Exam: Prometric exam no. 9LO-400
Mac OS X Help Desk Essentials v10.3 Exam
Preparatory Course: Mac OS X Help Desk Essentials v10.3
Apple Certified Technical Coordinator (ACTC)
This certification is ideal for Mac OS X technical coordinators and entry-level system administrators who provide technical support to Mac OS X users. In addition to user support, these professionals maintain the Mac OS X Server platform.
Required Exam: Prometric exam no. 9LO-400
Mac OS X Help Desk Essentials v10.3 Exam
Preparatory Course: Mac OS X Help Desk Essentials v10.3
Required Exam: Prometric exam no. 9LO-505
Mac OS X Server Essentials v10.3 Exam
Preparatory Course: Mac OS X Server Essentials v10.3
Apple Certified System Administrator (ACSA)
This certification is designed for full-time professional system administrators and engineers managing medium-to-large networks of systems utilising Mac OS X Server in demanding and relatively complex multi-platform deployments.
Required Exam: Prometric exam no. 9LO-606
System Administration of Mac OS X Clients v10.3 Exam
Preparatory Course: System Administration of Mac OS X Clients v10.3
Required Exam: Prometric exam no. 9LO-607
System Administration Using Mac OS X Server v10.3 Exam
Preparatory Course: System Administration using Mac OS X Server v10.3
NOTE: You are required to have an Apple Tech ID number before registering for any Apple exam. You can apply for a Tech ID by following the instructions at certifications.apple.com. Then register online at 2test.com. All exams are currently conducted in English.
let me now what you think?
Originally posted by dfiler
'taking the Mikey'? I love british slang!
(dfiler takes his mikey to google to find out what it is)
Rhyming slang, short for 'Taking the Mickey Bliss' - I think you can figure it out
Amorya
i think its loosing the piont here and i might end up going nucky futs
ok
I am back again, I think i found a starting point!
heres the link for any one else who won'ts to do the same.
http://www.apple.com/uk/support/products/techtrain.html
if anyone nows more about this product or has tryed it. please post a message and lets now what you think.
Oh, I would disagree that the certs are useless. I have found that many companies looking for Mac admins or service folk actually require certs. The fact that I had the ACTC helped me to get in the door for the Apple Tech job.
That info was of great help.
So your sayings go for it and if so can you tell the following?
1) Is there a lot of jobs available for Mac technicians these days?
2) What sort of money did you have to pay for the training packages and test?
3) What kind of wages do you get for your line of work?
Thanks for your help and any further information you can add would be great thanks.
P.S or recommendations.
2) I did not have to pay for any of the study materials as Apple provides them to Service Providers. Also, the company I worked for paid for all my exams. If I were to pay on my own it would have cost me about $150 per exam. The Apple classes are huge money. The company I worked at previously paid $2500 for that one week class with Apple.
3) Again, I think this will vary based on location and experience. I make over $20 an hour. Not great, but not bad either. There are other things to think about besides your wage. Make sure you take into consideration benefits, corporate attitude, their feeling on education (testing and certifications), and what the job will do for your career. For me this job is not really a career, but a stepping stone. I have learned so much here that will help round me out as Mac professional.
Good hunting.
I see the mac job market being there in about 1.5 years, look at the mini, It is the perfect platform for the enterprise, look at some of Dells offerings size, apple has beat it by miles, in the rev B they can work out any quirks and offer an enterprise configuration, (no modems, dvd rom no BT no APE - offered preinstalls of office and filemaker...or maybe the apple PRO OFFICE suit baced on iwork) I say get your ducks in a row now and be ready, when all of the windows geeks start getting certified, the mac market will close quickly.
yeah thats my thinking on it too, but i need a mac first and then i can begin.
I have looked around for study books, dvd, and cd and found some. but not anything to great and the cost of the apple package is about £200 with out the test cost.
so i am still looking at what are the options are, as i can still do a MCP for £30 for a book and £100 for the test.
but keep the info coming if you have any
thanks to all that have so far its bean of great help.
P.S i was planning to use my new found skills in New Zealand as that is were i am headed in Two years from now.
so if anyone nows anything about that, drop us a line.
Certs suck...they're not worth diddly...you pay money to get them then once you have them now what? you still have to convince some penny-piunching employer that what you just busted your butt for is worth anything...they're still looking for experience...
I've been fighting myself for years on whether or not to continue going for the MCSE or MCSA...at the same time I was goin through horrible work experiences where people didn't care what you were studying for b/c everyone was scratching and clawing their way to get shead by ANY MEANS NECCESARY...needless to sya, I made the mistake of thinking that the people above me (managers and directors ,VP's etc...) would do the right thing and reward the people who worked for years at the same place with NO PRIOR problems...NOPE...instead people had their own agenda and in the end all those years (8 to be exact) of faithful service went right down the toilet...now, I have absolutely NO loyalty to any company. it's a shame because poor management is a great way to lose good people. Just to be clear I wasn't the only one who was treated like trash...hahahaha...but that was in the past and eventually we all move on...but my initla opionion still holds...certs suck...
Originally posted by O-Mac
Here's my two cents worth...
Certs suck...they're not worth diddly...you pay money to get them then once you have them now what? you still have to convince some penny-piunching employer that what you just busted your butt for is worth anything...they're still looking for experience...
I've been fighting myself for years on whether or not to continue going for the MCSE or MCSA...at the same time I was goin through horrible work experiences where people didn't care what you were studying for b/c everyone was scratching and clawing their way to get shead by ANY MEANS NECCESARY...needless to sya, I made the mistake of thinking that the people above me (managers and directors ,VP's etc...) would do the right thing and reward the people who worked for years at the same place with NO PRIOR problems...NOPE...instead people had their own agenda and in the end all those years (8 to be exact) of faithful service went right down the toilet...now, I have absolutely NO loyalty to any company. it's a shame because poor management is a great way to lose good people. Just to be clear I wasn't the only one who was treated like trash...hahahaha...but that was in the past and eventually we all move on...but my initla opionion still holds...certs suck...
To get into the computer market, an A+ and a couple of speacialty certs make a nice complement to the college degree, and if your competition is other new graduates, every little bit helps.
So to summarise then apple qualifications are not worth much but help your chances of getting a job even more the higher you wish to go.
But Is there a pore mans root is something that has bean left to be still investigated.
but thanks again to all
what would be the minumim apple speced computer i would need to pass these exames?
any help would be good.
I dont see any schools near me teaching Mac Repair so this seems to be the only way to go. I just dont want to waste the money if there are no opportunities available
I was about to post the same topic. I am thinking about paying Apple $300 for their Tech program, which doesnt even include the test.
Hi,
yeah i had the same fear.
I think that the program is a little steep and some one like me I don't even have a Mac yet adding more cost, but one thing is for shore is that Windows based qualified Professional will not have much of a chance getting a job as that market is flooded.
So in the light of things its not too expensive.
Any way good luck in your search let us know what you find out how the apple pack goes.
I am off to London and to ask at the technicians there what options are available.