Introduction
This post is part of my series on the journey from being an End-User to becoming a Microsoft Partner-Side consultant (see Tag: End User to Consultant).
Moving from being a business applications end-user to joining a Microsoft partner organisation is an exciting and rewarding journey.
Here, I’d simply like to highlight the incredible dedication that Microsoft themselves have applied to the task of getting more talent into the Partner community. Specifically for Business Central with the BC Talent program, which was launched back in December 2023 after feedback from partners regarding the struggle to hire staff.
The programme is a collaboration between Microsoft, Companial, Neural Impact and Revolent.
Here is the explainer video from Microsoft.
Tell me more
If you are interested in getting on board with this programme visit the main site, where you can sign up https://aka.ms/reskill.
You will need to fill in a relatively short form which will register you and start you on the process that, if you are successful, will see you placed at one of the participating Microsoft partner organisations where you will receive training and coaching over 6 months initially. Naturally, you will rub shoulders with seasoned Business Central consultants & developers, get involved or shadow on real projects and potentially get involved in the wider Microsoft community - which I highly recommend you do! (See The Power of the Microsoft Dynamics 365 Community).
Successes so far
Microsoft has shared several success stories, and just last week, I had the chance to speak with one of the participants who recently completed her 6-month probation after joining a UK Microsoft Partner company through the Reskill programme. Both the candidate and the head of the practice praised the programme for its benefits—not only for individuals seeking to enter a consultancy career but also for partner businesses looking to grow.
The main challenge for partners it would seem is the need to invest around 6 months' salary and training before the candidate can start booking billable time. However, as part of a balanced talent acquisition strategy, it’s no surprise that many organisations are embracing this unique opportunity.
There are some excellent videos from these initial success stories, check them out on the main BC you tube channel MicrosoftDynamics365BC I YouTube.com
- https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rmPtE94fby0
- https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=n4qog_IpKqw
- https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=r1LrZH8IPJY
- https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=d1rE49YYapo
Looking to the future
Simply put, Microsoft continues to invest in Business Central.
On the application and service side, it’s evident from the impressive new features released every six months. However, with the Reskill programme, Microsoft is going even further, creating a platform to bring fresh talent into the Business Central ecosystem. This long-term investment highlights the confidence Microsoft has in the future of the marketplace served by Business Central partners.
If you're an end user considering a switch to consultancy, there’s no better time to take the leap!
Links
- Reskill: bridging the talent gap in ERP (microsoft.com) Blog post by Kurt Juvyns, Principal Product Manager, Dynamics 365 Business Central, one of those behing the Reskill program.
- Dynamics 365 Partner Hub (microsoft.com) Partner hub for Reskill resources
- How three women reimagined their future with the Reskill Program - Revolent (revolentgroup.com) Case study on 3 sucess stories of women in the Reskill programe.
What do you think?
Please let me know your thoughts in the comments
Connect or follow me on LinkedIn to get all my updates Andrew Wingate | LinkedIn