Microsoft's records show that there are now over 4 million MCP qualified people worldwide (2009). These numbers include 24,000 Microsoft employees who have gained their MCP qualification.
Microsoft has invested heavily in researching the benefits of the certification program. This has led to an ongoing evolution of the certification program, with it becoming more and more relevant as time passes. IT managers are now even more aware of the benefits of hiring certified individuals, and an increasing number of job specs ask for an MCP or similar qualification.
A recent Microsoft survey reported that:"With a sufficient percentage of team members certified, IT operational performance can increase up to an average of 11 percent. The research suggests that about 25 percent of IT professionals hold some form of relevant certification"
Microsoft has also released some interesting figures from their research about the MCP program:- Seventy-five percent of managers believe that certification is important to team performance.
- Sixty-six percent of managers believe that certification improves the level of service and support offered to IT end users/customers.
- Team performance increases every time a new team member is certified.