Upskilling on Power Platform
One question that has popped up a number of times in response to the M365AMA series I’ve been leading here on the blog and through my YouTube channel has been a variation on “What skills should I develop to find a job within the Microsoft ecosystem?” While there are many areas around which you can build your career, one of the areas with the highest demand right now is the Power Platform (the title of this post kind of gave it away). But where to begin?
I’m not an expert, by any means. I can navigate my way through a Power BI dashboard, and I’ve created a few simple Power Automate flows, but that’s it. It’s not been part of my job description, and I have not yet spent time dedicated to learn…until the week after next, when I start a course with the Collab365 Academy team. I’m really looking forward to the class, after which I plan to keep reading and exploring the Power Platform. I’m not doing it to improve my job prospects, but instead am focusing on learning new skills and participating more actively in that side of the tech community.
I’m also excited to write more on the topic and share some of what I learn through this site, so watch for those future posts. In the meantime, how can you get started? If you’re interested in learning about the Power Platform, start with the following:
- Microsoft Learn for Power Platform
Bookmark this site to track your progress along various learning paths, find details on formal certifications, participate in local and regional events and training days, and to better connect with the community. The site is the front door into each of the Power Platform community sites and forums. - Microsoft Events
Speaking of events, also bookmark this site to explore special events and learning opportunities created to help you expand your expertise, learn new skills, and build community. Specifically, find the nearest (or virtual) “Power Platform in a Day” focused events to quickly build up your skills. - Collab365
I can definitely recommend Mark, Fraser, Jon and Connor and all the great content and community activities that they’ve created over the last decade. They have some of the most approachable and easy-to-consume content on the web, and, as mentioned, they offer a 1-week workshop to quickly get you competent in the technology and creating real-world solutions. They also provide some of the best (and least expensive) options for additional content, making them one of the best deals on M365 training. - Microsoft Power Up Program
This is an upskilling initiative created to help individuals from non-technical backgrounds advance their careers with low-code technology and skills. Announced during the recent Power Platform Conference by Microsoft CVP Charles Lamanna, this program provides 3-months of curriculum including self-paced learning and instructor-led sessions, hands-on labs, and community involvement. You need to apply for the program, but it looks like an amazing offer directly from Microsoft.
I hope you find these links useful. Good luck on your upskilling journey!
