When it comes to comprehensive digital business solutions, few companies in the world offer the portfolio of services that NTT DATA does. Headquartered in Plano, TX, NTT DATA manages a worldwide team of 50,000 employees that help their customers through their digital transformations. From cloud migration to infrastructure upgrades and business process optimization, NTT DATA provides a list of support services that their clients count on.<\/p>\n
Being a Microsoft partner, NTT DATA employees must stay skilled on all of Microsoft\u2019s latest products. So, when company leadership decided to offer enrollment to the Cloud Skills Challenge with Microsoft Learn, many developers took part. Two of those developers recently gave some insight into their experience with the Challenge and how it helped them personally and professionally.<\/p>\n
Learning how to develop cloud skills quickly and intuitively with Microsoft Learn and the Cloud Skills Challenge<\/strong><\/p>\n It was important for any skilling solution NTT DATA used to support relevant training on emerging technology, while at the same time enticing developers to participate on their own schedules. To incentivize skilling in the organization, NTT DATA leadership decided to invite their developers to take part in the Cloud Skills Challenge.<\/p>\n The Cloud Skills Challenge provides a framework for Microsoft Learn built around achievements and learning paths. Participants can choose learning paths that cover topics comprehensively. Completing individual modules earns participants points that are ranked on a competitive board.<\/p>\n For developers Nisha Prasad and Nilendra Singh, the opportunity to learn new skills in an interactive and simple environment led to them joining the CSC.<\/p>\n \u201cThat was the first time I used Microsoft Learn\u201d Nisha, Business Process Management Consultant at NTT DATA, said. \u201cI wanted to learn Azure technologies but I\u2019m not using them in my daily work. So, when I got the email and went to the meeting, I registered.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cThe good thing about Microsoft Learn is that it provides you a sandbox, and this sandbox is free,\u201d Nilendra, a data scientist with NTT DATA, said. \u201cNormally, I would need an admin to set up boxes, make a cluster\u2026 with Microsoft Learn, I was able to learn and work immediately.\u201d<\/p>\n Nilendra and Nisha praised Microsoft Learn as a tool but said that it was somewhat overwhelming because there are so many free modules available to pick from. That\u2019s where the Cloud Skills Challenge helped them drive their skill development.<\/p>\n \u201cIf someone just comes to learn, they get lost because they don\u2019t know where to start,\u201d Nilendra said.<\/p>\n With learning pathways built into the CSC, however, both Nisha and Nilendra were able to jump into Microsoft Learn modules relevant to their positions. The competitive aspect helped drive their learning in a fun way. Nilendra, the winner of the CSC, said that the gamified elements made learning more engaging, and drove him to complete modules to earn points and expand his knowledge.<\/p>\n Nisha agreed. \u201cHaving the CSC helps you understand what path you are on,\u201d she said. \u201cAnd having the challenge is a rush when you win.\u201d<\/p>\n