It does not matter if you are new to Microsoft Azure, or you just simply want to broaden your knowledge. Microsoft offers different possibilities to gain your skills free of charge. In addition, some of this options come with free Microsoft voucher for certification.
How to do that? Here are a few options.
Free Microsoft Learn Trainings
You can use Microsoft Learn Platform. There are plenty of learning materials dedicated for various paths. You can also find preparation for Microsoft Exams. Beside reading materials, you are also eligible to deploy free of charge sandboxes to do your hands-on experience.
Free Virtual Trainings with free vouchers
Beside mostly reading and hands-on, you have also an option for Virtual trainings. Microsoft experts lead virtual trainings in a few different areas. These are: Azure, Business Applications and M365. By completing some of this trainings, you can earn free voucher for Microsoft Certifications. Mostly the vouchers are for Azure Fundamentals (AZ-900), Azure AI Fundamentals (AI-900) and Power Platform Fundamentals (PL-900).
Skill challenges with free vouchers
Microsoft also have skill challenges. In is being announced every some time, and then you have a list of training paths to complete within certain period of time. After completing the challenge you are awarded with the free voucher to be claimed in PearsonVUE. Last challenge was in November 2021. On the Cloud Skills Challenge website you can find more information about list of vouchers and trainings paths.
Skill challenges with voucher discounts
Not always free vouchers are offered. Sometimes, you can find the challenges after which you can get a discount for certificate of your choice. This also requires to finish the learning, within certain period of the time. However, there may be no limits regarding the exams which you can take.
Other learning options
Of course there are different free online trainings and conferences. Microsoft has its regular Ignite conferences. Beside this, you can find, every some time, invitation to customer success stories. There you can learn more on particular use cases and adaptations of Microsoft technologies. Also you can find some special events. Addtionally, you can renew your expiring certification free of charge.
This February, Microsoft celebrates 20th anniversary of .NET and Azure Open Source Days. In March is the broadcast on 25th anniversary of Visual Studio.
