Apple introduces new professional training to support a growing IT workforce

May 18 2022

Update

Apple introduces new professional training to support a growing IT workforce

New online courses and certifications to support, deploy, and manage Apple devices prepare workers for the jobs they need

The demand for skilled support and technical staff within the organization is growing, as jobs in computer and information systems in particular are expected to grow faster than the average for all occupations from 2020 to 2030.¹ As companies expand the use of technology, employees demand the use of the iPhone, iPad, and Mac at work, which has increased the need for IT professionals skilled in supporting and managing Apple products.

To help meet this growing demand, Apple today launched updated career training and certifications for IT support and management. The training has been completely redesigned and transferred to a self-paced online format. Users can prove their competency with two new exams and get certified by Apple.

“More people are using their Mac, iPad and iPhone to do their best work, and the demand for Apple-certified IT professionals has never been greater,” said Susan Prescott, Apple’s vice president of corporate marketing and education. “Apple Professional Training helps anyone with an interest in technology—whether they’re changing jobs or upgrading their skill set—pursue high-paying IT jobs with certifications that will stand out to potential employers. We firmly believe in embedding in technology, so new courses are self-paced. It’s freely available, and we’re working to ensure that being able to pay isn’t a barrier to getting Apple certification.”

Two new professional Apple training courses – Apple Device Support and Apple Deployment and Management – are available today at training.apple.com. Courses are sequential, and build on skills and concepts as the user progresses. Upon completion of each course, new certification exams are available to demonstrate the proficiency achieved at each level using the corresponding Apple digital badges. Each test costs $149, and certification can be displayed on resumes, online profiles, and job boards, allowing users to stand out in job searches — and employers to find qualified candidates.²

Apple device management and security company Jamf reports that the community of professionals who manage Apple products at work has grown more than 150 percent since 2017 to more than 100,000 members.³ Companies like Ford are seeking talent to manage their Apple products.

“Ford’s transformation and delivery of significant value to our customers is powered by technology — including enabling our employees to do their best work with the best tools while creating the digital factory of the future,” said Mike Amend, Ford’s chief enterprise technology officer. “As part of this process, we are rolling out the Mac as an option for our employees. New Apple Professional Training Certifications will help us attract talented IT employees and see that they have successfully implemented our Ford+ development plan.”

Apple’s new IT training series begins with the Apple Hardware Support course. Through guided articles and exercises, the course covers the tools, services, and best practices used by a help desk specialist, technical coordinator, or service provider for Mac, iPhone, and iPad users in an organization. After completing an estimated 14 hours of learning content, users can take an exam to obtain the Apple Certified Support Professional certification.

The second level of training in the IT series is the Apple Deployment and Management course, which covers how to configure, manage, and secure Apple products using Mobile Device Management (MDM). With an estimated 13 hours of content, users will cover developing deployment strategy, using Apple Business Manager and Apple School Manager, and configuring devices with an MDM solution. Upon successful completion of the exam, users will receive the Apple Certified IT Professional certification.⁴

To help those entering the job market or changing jobs, Apple partners with community colleges and universities to offer on-campus prep courses for the Apple Certified IT Professional badge. Through the Community Education Initiative (CEI), Apple will provide scholarships to cover the cost of exams for students participating at CEI partner institutions. Apple first worked with Austin Community College in Austin, Texas, to offer the Apple Publication course in early 2020, and is expanding to Maricopa Community Colleges in Chandler and Mesa, Arizona, this summer, with additional CEI schools announced. Ed Farm, an educational nonprofit organization based in Birmingham, Alabama, will also offer prep courses for the Apple certification exams this summer through the nonprofit’s ongoing partnership with Apple.

Apple has also partnered with the Mac Admins Foundation to ensure additional access to new Apple tests. By subscribing from Apple, the Foundation will provide vouchers to applicants with financial needs. As a new 501(c)(3) organization, two main principles of the Mac Admins Foundation are to create a welcoming and accessible organization to expand the profession and maintain affordable access to all community resources. For more details and to apply, visit macadmins.org.

“There is a lot to like about the all-new Apple Professional Courses, which give users a solid foundation in concepts and theory around supporting and deploying Apple products,” said Tom Bridge, co-chair of the Mac Management Foundation. Furthermore, both exams from Apple fully represent the depth and breadth of skills needed for success. This is an important milestone for the Mac admin community — which has grown 48 percent since 2019. We’re excited to be working with Apple in our new chapter as a 501(c)(3) and making sure that certification is available to anyone with the passion to take a new step forward in their lives. professional”.

Apple Professional Training courses are now available at training.apple.com.

1. The data comes from the US Bureau of Labor Statistics and computer and information systems administrators.
2. Apple Professional Training exams are offered online and cost $149. Re-certification tests for non-expired certificates cost $49.
3. Data provided by Jamf.
4. The Apple Certified Support Professional badge is a prerequisite for earning the Apple Certified IT Professional badge.

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Jessica Reeves

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