Kurt Shintaku's Blog

[I’ve had this talk so many times that I can’t remember if I’ve blogged it so here it goes]

There are 8 training solutions available for individuals interested in either Microsoft 365 or Azure:

(Note that this is training for Microsoft Cloud solutions only such as Azure, Microsoft 365 & Dynamics 365/Power Platform. On-premises technology training for products like Windows Server, System Center, SQL Server, etc. are only available through Microsoft Certified Learning Partners.)

1. [FREE] Microsoft Learn
   Anytime/On-demand | Self-paced | Public | Free | IT Professionals & End Users/Business Users
   Synopsis: 
   On-demand library of self-paced training for both end users & IT Professionals on Microsoft 365, Azure, Business Solutions & Security.  Course range from 100-400 level & includes prep training for certifications.
   https://docs.microsoft.com/en-us/learn/

2. [FREE] Virtual Training Days
   Scheduled 1-2 days | Instructor-led | Public | Free | IT Professionals
   Synopsis: 
   Trainings delivered usually over 1 day by instructors on a schedule for Microsoft 365, Azure, Business Solutions and Security. Courses range from 100-200 level & usually have 300-400 IT Professional students in them and so there is very little Q&A.
   https://www.microsoft.com/en-us/trainingdays
3. [FREE] Virtual Workshops & Training
   Scheduled 1-day | Instructor-led | Public | Free | End Users/Business Users
   Synopsis:
   Open enrollment for business users (not IT Professionals) to learn at a basic 100-level how to use most Microsoft 365 & Business Solutions. Anyone may enroll in these courses & there is minimal Q&A as a result.
   https://www.microsoft.com/en-us/store/workshops-training-and-events/professionals 
4. [CUSTOMER FUNDED] Certified Learning Partner Training
   Scheduled 1-5 days | Instructor-led | Public | Cost from $750-$3495 | IT Professionals
   Synopsis:
   These are open enrollment classes that any organization can join, delivered by Microsoft training partners.  They deliver Microsoft certified curriculum at 100-400 level with full instructor Q&A in small class sizes, with usually 50 or fewer students. They generally cover all Microsoft products however class availability & scheduling depends on the training provider.
   For a listing of available Microsoft Learning Partners visit:
   https://docs.microsoft.com/en-us/learn/certifications/courses/browse/
   
5. [MICROSOFT FUNDED] Customer Success Training
   Scheduled 1-day | Instructor-led | PRIVATE | FUNDED BY MICROSOFT | End Users/Business Users
   Synopsis:
   These are mutually scheduled 1 day private classes for groups of 15+ end users.  These are introductory 100 level classes for business users – not IT Professionals – to get the basics of a Microsoft 365 or Power Platform technology. Full Q&A is available and there are 40+ classes available, each with their own syllabus.
   Download: https://adoption.microsoft.com/files/hub/Microsoft%20Store%20Customer%20Success%20Training%20One-pager.pdf
   (Note: This is only available to managed Microsoft customers with a certain number of Office 365/Microsoft 365 users. Contact your Microsoft Account team for details)
   
6. [MICROSOFT FUNDED] Enterprise Skills Initiative
   Scheduled 1-5 days | Instructor-led | Public | FUNDED BY MICROSOFT | IT Professionals
   https://esi.microsoft.com 
   Synopsis:
   These are mostly advanced Azure & Security classes delivered over 1-5 days by a Microsoft trainer on usually advanced 200-300 level topics.  Fully funded by Microsoft, this program provides a full 2 month schedule of classes to register in.
   Download:
   http://aka.ms/esiazuretrainingjourney
   (Note: This is only available to managed Microsoft customers with account teams that are have consumed a high level of Azure over a 12 month period & are successfully nominated for this benefit. Contact your Microsoft account team for details.)
   
7. [UNIFIED CUSTOMERS ONLY] Unified Support On-Demand
   Anytime/On-demand | Self-paced | Public | Funded by Unified Support contract | End Users/Business Users/IT Professionals
   Synopsis:
   Over 1000+ only video recorded classes & on-demand labs are available on-demand for registered Unified Support “Service Hub” contacts.  Levels range from 100-400.
   All learning benefits are available at:
   https://serviceshub.microsoft.com/learning/
   On-demand Services Hub Catalog:
   https://serviceshub.microsoft.com/catalog/search/e5cb58fd-5926-4020-a243-fbf827bcc9cc?tabId=3&refiners=%5B%7B%22Id%22:%22onDemandLearningType%22,%22Values%22:%5B%22on-demand_videos%22%5D%7D%5D&workspaceId=e5cb58fd-5926-4020-a243-fbf827bcc9cc
   (Note: This is only available to customers with Unified Support contracts and those that have access to the Services Hub. Contact your Microsoft contract administrator to see if your organization has a Unified Support contract)
   
8. [UNIFIED CUSTOMERS ONLY] Unified Support Workshops
   Scheduled 1-5 day | Instructor-led | PRIVATE | Funded by Unified Support contract | IT Professionals
   Synopsis:
   These are unique training opportunities that have open Q&A, are privately delivered to only one customer generally, and are exclusive to Unified Support customers.  The catalog of exclusive training workshops available is available below and consume “credit” from the organization’s Unified Support contract. Classes are instructor-led and restricted to usually ~30 students. 
   Download: BuiltIn Proactive Services List_05_12_2020.pdf
   (Note: This is only available to customers with Unified Support contracts and those that have access to the Services Hub. Contact your Microsoft contract administrator to see if your organization has a Unified Support contract)