5/6/2002 -- Marconi's Manager of Broadband Learning Services Nemo Anderson told CertCities.com today that the company is revamping its certification program.

Previously, Marconi offered three certifications: Marconi Public Network Engineer (PNE), the Marconi Enterprise Network Engineer (ENE) and the Marconi Product Installation Professional (PIP). For each, candidates were required to pass a minimum of one online Web exam as well as a hands-on lab exam.

Anderson said that Marconi is retaining its Web/lab testing approach, but the new program allows candidates to become certified on specific products.

"[Before], you were required to know every product in our portfolio [to become Marconi certified]," Anderson explained. "While many people were interested in just such a certification, many others were interested in obtaining some form of certificate on individual products, without having to sit through information that was of no interest to them. This was especially true of our line of ATM switches."

"Based on those comments, it was decided that we will institute a 'box-based' approach," he continued. "We have begun offering [classes on] our entire line of switches on an individual basis, along with a corresponding product specialist exam. Successful completion of that exam, which contains both written as well as hands-on practical portions, will result in a 'Product Specialist Certificate.'"

According to Anderson, the new Marconi Product Specialist title will be available for the following product lines:

• Enterprise ATM Switch
• Public ATM Switch
• ES-3810 Switch
• ESR-5000/6000 Switch
• SE-420/440

as well as others, and new titles will be added as new products are released. Corresponding training is also available.

Those certified under Marconi's old titles will retain their certifications, although the certifications themselves will no longer be available. Those in the process of pursuing the older titles have been contacted by Marconi about the changes, Anderson said, and they will be given time to complete the old title that they were pursuing.

Although information on Marconi certification is currently not available on the company's Web site, Anderson said that the many of the new certifications are already "on line," and that the Web site will be updated with information about the new program "in the very near future."

CertCities.com will bring you more on this story as it becomes available. -B.N.