For many years certifying professional knowledge through testing has been a
standard to quantify levels of achievement in many areas of Information
Technology. The time has come to make this a standard within the MPE
community of professionals as well. To that end, a new independent
organization has been formed.  The MPE Certification Board is currently made
up of Jon Backus @ Tech Group, Bill Lancaster @ Lancaster Consulting, Joe
Geiser @ CSI Business Solutions, Jeff Kell @ University of Tennessee at
Chattanooga, and Terry Floyd @ The Support Group. It is the charter of this
Board to determine the scope of the various certifications, to select the
sub-committee members for each cert, and to approve of the testing and
training material generated by each sub-committee.

"I've managed Engineers that are in the Comptia, Microsoft, Novell, Cisco,
and Linux certification worlds and there is a fairly distinctive pattern.
There is a serious of tests that cover different aspects.  The test, to some
degree, tend to build on each other, and there is an entry level test to get
relatively new people started."  Based on that, the certification track is
broken down into three progressive steps. The beginning or entry level test
is the Certified Professional (MPE-CP). The advanced level is the Certified
System Manager (MPE-CSM). Finally the Masters level is made up of seven
different certification tests to encompass specific areas of expertise,
including Data Base Administration (MPE-CDBA), Security Administration
(MPE-CSA), Performance Analyst (MPE-CPA), Developer (MPE-CD), Network
Professional (MPE-CNP), Internet Professional (MPE-CIP), and Hardware
Specialist (MPE-CHS). Completing one of the Master tests achieves the 1st
degree Master (MPE-1dM) right on up through completing all seven test for a
7th degree Master (MPE-7dM).

Details about the MPE Certification track will be maintained as they unfold
on the Tech Group University web site (www.TechGroupMD.com).  Please stay
tuned to this web site as we work through the various issues that are no
doubt running through your head as you read this, things like timing, scope,
integration of existing HP MPE Certified people, how will the sub-committees
be picked and what are their responsibilities, etc.


Thanx,
  Jonathan (Jon) M. Backus ~ President
  Tech Group University ~ 15 Catawba Place ~ Hagerstown, MD ~ 21742-6515
  Email: [log in to unmask] ~ AIM: JMBackus
  Vmail: 301.714.1854 ~ Fmail: 301.714.1854
  Web: www.TechGroupMD.com