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From CertCities.com
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Column Certification Advisor Novell Steps Forward Why Microsoft should keep a close watch on Novell's recent certification program changes. Plus, Greg has a change of heart about an important compensation issue. by Greg Neilson 7/11/2001 -- I've remarked before about the decline of Novell NetWare and, indirectly, NetWare certification. Having said that, I must say I'm really impressed with the recent changes Novell announced for the NetWare 6 CNE and MCNE programs. To me, this shows that Novell really understands the skills network professionals need in today's workplace. Traditionally, the CNE has always covered significant amounts of technology above and beyond the specific NetWare versions. This originally included PC and Macintosh basics, DOS, networking theory, TCP/IP networking, and network problem solving. In fact, when I originally completed my CNE, I did this as an OS/2 LAN Server expert. Although I already had IBM's OS/2 LAN Server Engineer certification, the CNE gave me a significant background in networking technologies that I hadn't been exposed to. Contrast this with Microsoft's MCSE program at the time: Before Windows 2000, the MCSE did Network Essentials, which covered networking theory, but never had anything to do with PC hardware. This led many MCSEs to subsequently pursue A+ certification to get a background in PC hardware. As we now know, the Win2K MCSE doesn't even include Network Essentials, and the TCP/IP exam was dropped as well. With these recent changes, Novell has moved quite significantly toward focusing again on common networking technologies. The updated CNE program for NetWare 6 includes CompTIA's Network+ instead of the previous Network Technologies exam (before, it was an option). It also includes a TCP/IP exam, and a promise held out that the exam content will include directory interoperability with Win2k Active Directory -- we'll have to wait and see about that. Better yet, the new NetWare 6 Master CNE includes the Server+ and IT Project+ certifications from CompTIA. This means that MCNEs will have to demonstrate mastery of server hardware and project management techniques. The addition of project management to the MCNE program is of particular interest to me. It makes a great deal of sense for senior NetWare professionals to have a better understanding of project management, since very likely they will either have to work closely with a project manager or perform the project management tasks themselves. Having these skills as part of the program should demonstrate to employers and clients the value of the MCNE certification.In my view, NetWare is still a more complex product than Windows 2000 (not that this is always a good thing, by the way), yet most of the Win2K MCSE program covers just Windows 2000 technologies. Microsoft has been happy to copy certification innovations from others in the past, so let's hope that they are watching these Novell developments closely with a view of how they can adapt them to the MCSE in the future. I've had a change of heart recently. Or perhaps you could say experience has taught me a lesson. What am I talking about, you say? Up until recently I've respectfullly disagreed with Linda Briggs, former editor of Microsoft Certified Professional Magazine, about the concept of providing bonuses and/or promotions for staff completing MCSE certification. Linda had always thought that this was a valid motivational technique for staff, yet I maintained that I would prefer to see staff rewarded for achieving real business results. Well, now that I'm a manager, things look different than they did from the "other side." There are members of my team who are currently completing certification programs that I am considering giving a raise and/or promoting . They have been performing well and have the skills required. But when they complete their certifications, this will really help justify to my manager and peer managers that these people are suitable for the promotion and/or additional dollars. I can see how some might have the perception that the promotion and/or raise was because of the certification, yet in reality this will probably be just icing on the cake. Also, from a management theory point of view, I've come to learn via my MBA studies that it is valid to reward the acquisition of new key skills. This is because we can't continually promote technical staff in any organization - there simply isn't enough room for them all. In this case, we need to provide the means for them to expand and feel comfortable in their existing roles. So maybe providing incentive for completing a certification program isn't as silly as I had thought. The MCP Magazine 2001 salary survey will soon be out; it will be interesting to see exactly how many report getting a raise/bonus for completing their certifications. What do you think - do you think that staff should be rewarded for completion of certification programs? Post your comments below and let me know. 
Greg Neilson, MCSE+Internet, MCNE, PCLP, is a Contributing Editor for Microsoft Certified Professional Magazine and a manager at a large IT services firm in Australia. He's the author of Lotus Domino Administration in a Nutshell (O'Reilly and Associates, ISBN 1-56592-717-6). You can reach him at Attn: Greg. |
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