Microsoft admits certifications can be a drag, launches creds that recognize skills

Microsoft has acknowledged that professional certifications can be a burden and has launched Pro Badges, credentials that recognize skills as they are used in everyday work. The first badge is for GitHub Copilot, and Microsoft says it can be earned without a separate exam or study guide. Users reach the proficient level through hands-on use, and the badge can be added to LinkedIn.

What Pro Badges are

Redmond revealed its stance last week in a post from Cameron Percy, general manager for content and insights. Percy said people have asked for a simpler way to prove the skills they use in the flow of work, without stepping away to prepare for another test. Pro Badge works alongside Microsoft Certifications: certifications show that you can solve problems in a role or field, while Pro Badge shows how you use a specific product in everyday work. Together, they give a more complete picture of what you can do. Percy added that the approach keeps pace with your work and the products you use, giving a current, verified signal of what you can do at no cost.

How the GitHub Copilot badge works

To earn the first Pro Badge, users need only visit learn.github.com and sign in with a GitHub account. That step starts a proficiency engine that analyzes relevant product usage signals and evaluates them against a defined proficiency framework. The engine uses evidence from everyday product use to calculate and automatically update proficiency level.

Proficiency levels and criteria

Microsoft offers five levels of proficiency: beginner, intermediate, proficient, advanced, and expert. To earn a Pro Badge, users must reach the proficient level. A beginner has had first contact with GitHub and understands what Copilot is, where it can be used, and how it might fit into everyday development workflows. An intermediate user is familiar with web-based collaboration features, core IDE features, model management, agent configuration, customization options, and techniques for managing context. To reach proficient, users need to demonstrate practical ability to work on projects and use GitHub across typical scenarios, through consistent hands-on usage across multiple repositories and extended periods. A proficient user can use many web and IDE features, select appropriate models, and apply customizations to tailor Copilot for specific project needs. They have experimented with extended features and are aware of extensibility and integration options. At the time of writing, Microsoft had not defined expert or advanced proficiency.

How badges fit with other credentials

Microsoft has integrated GitHub's learning site with LinkedIn, which it owns, so users can add Pro Badges to their profiles. Percy's post suggests Microsoft has other Pro Badges in the works. Microsoft also says Pro Badges do not replace certifications or Microsoft Applied Skills. GitHub Verified Proficiency is part of Microsoft Pro Badge, a credential type designed to recognize skills as they are applied in the flow of work, and it adds a third signal: how skills show up through everyday product use.

Sources: The Register