Torque IT launched a dedicated Microsoft Official Courses On-Demand (MOC On-Demand) website this month - believed to be the first Microsoft MOC On-Demand web-based training to be offered out of South Africa and Torque IT's first foray into Microsoft on-demand video-based digital learning.
The MOC On-Demand website delivers Microsoft training and certification, bundled with value-adds, targeted at working IT professionals and developers in South Africa and the rest of Africa.
Morne Hugo, Microsoft Business Unit Manager at Torque IT, says the Microsoft MOC On-Demand training and certification is packaged as modular short video training by highly qualified instructors, along with multiple assessments and practical virtual lab work, to ensure that the learning remains engaging.
"This form of knowledge transfer is in line with the way developers already prefer to learn," says Hugo. "Most developers seek information and training online as and when they need it. However, because of their workloads, many do not validate their learning with certification. With the new Microsoft MOC On-Demand offering, they are able to complete vendor authorised courses at their own pace over an access period of three months."
The new site will offer the same MOC On-Demand courses prepared for international audiences, but at a localised price.
"Cost is a factor and we are planning on being very competitive on price," says Hugo.
Adding value to the offering, Torque IT has paired its MeasureUp product with the MOC On-Demand, to give students vendor approved practise exams free of charge, so supporting their courses towards attaining the certification. All delegates receive Digital MOC courseware (DMOC) with their MOD and Torque IT also gives participants six months' free additional virtualised Microsoft lab access. This allows them to complete their training within a three-month window, and later go back with their DMOC and refresh their practical skills in the lab environment before finally completing the certification exam.
The new offering meets growing local demand for self-paced learning delivered in an interactive, engaging way, Hugo says.
"We wanted to offer a product that speaks to the changing learner and changing learning methods. This goes beyond traditional e-learning. It could best be described as an interactive video based digital learning environment, and we consider it to be the closest thing to instructor-led training in class."
Torque IT trialled the MOC On-Demand programme elsewhere in Africa earlier this year, and found a high rate of acceptance. "The feedback and completion rates were phenomenal. As a result, we are growing the programme," he says.
The Torque IT MOC On-Demand website offers courses covering technologies such as SQL Server 2014/2016, Windows Server 2012, Skype for Business Server and Microsoft Azure.
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