QA strengthens Microsoft commitment with Partnership Manager
New role created to drive development of Microsoft training: QA announces the appointment of a senior alliance manager to strengthen further its existing leadership in the Microsoft training arena.
Will Hawkins joins QA as Microsoft Partnership Manager, responsible for driving the company’s relationship with the world’s leading software solutions provider. He joins from Hewlett Packard, where he worked closely with Microsoft to develop the relationship between the companies’ training divisions, as well as launching blended learning solutions to provide Microsoft certification. Previously Will spent four years' working for Microsoft as Business Development Manager for the UK retail team of Microsoft's publishing division, Microsoft Press, and therefore brings significant experience and understanding of Microsoft's business to QA.
Will is charged with growing QA's relationship with Microsoft to develop new initiatives for the benefit of both Microsoft and QA’s customers, as well as expanding QA's training offering in the Microsoft space. He explains; "QA has experts in a wide range of Microsoft technologies, and can offer unique support to both Microsoft and its customers in assisting solutions and services, so I’m delighted to have this opportunity to drive forward the relationship between the companies.
"As a Gold Partner for Learning Solutions it's important that QA is driving awareness and uptake of new Microsoft technologies and we want to use this to help Microsoft extend its reach in the UK. To this end, we have just launched a range of new Microsoft Official Curriculum courses, as well as QA-authored courses focusing on the new Microsoft technologies."
Training and Certification Manager at Microsoft, Kim Rubbo, comments; "It's important for Microsoft to work closely with our partners, and their support for both new and existing technologies is key to our business success. QA is a leading player in the IT training industry and by providing a dedicated alliance manager to support this relationship, QA is making a strong commitment to developing the Microsoft learning programmes it provides to its customers."
QA has launched a number of new courses in 2006 to support the latest Microsoft technology, including SQL Server 2005, Visual Studio 2005, SharePoint, and, coming soon, BizTalk 2006. With courses aligned to the new Microsoft certifications, such as Microsoft Certified Technology Specialist (MCTS) and Microsoft Certified Professional Developer (MCPD), there will be a course available to support all levels of skills and experience.