It’s actually happening: Cross-skilling and contract starts

Update on the cross-skilling

The approval for the overall funding (IRWP aka Individualized Return to Work Plan) has come through. I now have a computer that can handle the software I need to do the training, and more importantly, the exams.

I have created an invoice for doing the CompTIA A+ Core 1 and Core 2 exams (including study guides and practise exams, since it has been quite a while since I’ve had to do a serious exam), and hope to have that certification by the end of June (at the latest). That depends more on the logistics of getting the funding and arranging the online proctoring.

At the same time, I have been doing more work on the free training from Microsoft via https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/ with the goal of successful completion of a number of PowerPlatform-related exams (and therefore earning the applicable certifications).

The Microsoft learning platform (and exams) are bit annoying because a fair chunk of the material is learning Microsoft positioning and business cases/logic for when and where to use their SaaS offerings (aka software subscriptions), rather than on the nuts and bolts of building things.

I think it’s worth doing though, because it should open doors for local employment. Preferrably stable employment, but if not, I am hopeful for consulting opportunities.

Update on contract work

Funding has been approved for a project on which I hope to be performing contract work with an organization I enjoy working with and whose ‘mission’ I am 100% on board with.

I will be making sure I give them what they need, and as a bonus I will have recent paid work, instead of a gap in ‘monetized’ work. It’s super win not only for the organization and myself, but all those who receive service from them.

Conclusion

I’m going to be very busy, for at least the next six months, but I’m quite enthused. It makes it hard to sleep, but I will do that shortly, as I want to stay healthy¹.