This Story Posted:
March 9th

 
 

[12:49 PM]
New Mac Tech Certification Program Offered Via The Web
No Wonder! has introduced a new online program technical certification program for Mac techs. No Wonder! is marketing their program as a "real world" approach that doesn't reward cramming, but recognizes real world knowledge. According to No Wonder!:

"[Our new Mac technical certification program is a] 'Real-World Certification' program, aimed at filling the 'huge gaps' in the industry left by current accreditation programs. An interactive evaluation process, providing technical professionals and employers with a new resource for measuring levels of expertise and for supplying the qualifications needed in today's technical market, including the all but unheard of certification for the Macintosh platform.

'Anyone can take a class, or cram late night to pass a test, but this doesn't demonstrate an ability to answer real life problems.' Says Scott William, No Wonder's founder. 'We are offering what MSCE, CNE and others aren't: credit for 'real-world experience'. These problems don't come out of a book, this certification actually means something.'

Applicants will be evaluated over the course of three-months, during which time they will be responding to the questions submitted to No Wonder's personal support forum via the web. Certifications will be awarded to those who show proficiency in all areas of this process, which include: technical knowledge, problem solving, researching and follow-up skills, and personal communication ability. Certifications are offered in the areas of Internet/Web applications, Macintosh, Windows, and Linux operating systems."

The program requires a US$35 fee that is nonrefundable. More information can be found at the company's web site.

The Mac Observer Spin: We do not know anything about the program yet, but we have Mac tech consultants who are going to go through the program and report back to us on its value. If No Wonder! has put together a legitimate program, then Mac repair people will be armed with something that the business world seems to need.

Many of our Mac Observers out there may not know this, but Microsoft offers an entire massive barrage of very expensive (expensive through 3rd party vendors) certification programs for Windows technicians. This is necessary because of the (IMHO) ridiculous extremes that it takes to be a Windows expert. Most Mac repair technicians and consultants (and local office Mac gurus, etc.) have learned "simply by doing" in their spare time. Many business managers think that without certification, a technician must not be worth their salt and place greater value in the fact that their certified technicians cost more (because of that expensive certification).

This thought process is ass backwards but it does represent real-life. So No Wonder! may be offering Mac technicians a valuable tool in the workplace which would only help the Mac community. We will report back as we learn more.

No Wonder!