cancel
Showing results for 
Search instead for 
Did you mean: 
Reply
DevMonkey
Employee
Employee

DoD Cloud Skills Challenge

DevMonkey_0-1671137269762.png

 

Microsoft Federal’s DoD Business Applications team is excited to announce our Cloud Skills Challenge for the Department of Defense. This challenge will run from November 21, 2022 – January 23, 2023 and is divided into 12 segments which allow you to select a learning path based on your current skillset and desired growth area. The content is presented in an accelerated learning environment where you compete against other service branches in a race for knowledge and leaderboard superiority. Throughout the challenge, Participants may view their learning progress against their peers and total completed modules under each challenge’s leaderboard.

 

This self-paced Cloud Skills Challenge is a fun, interactive way to develop your Power Platform and Dynamics 365 skills while empowering citizen/pro developers and administrators to build applications on the platform.

 

How to get started


** Participants may sign up at anytime before January 23, 2023 **

  1. Sign up for a Profile on Microsoft Learn (https://aka.ms/mslearn or https://docs.microsoft.com/en-us/learn/) using a Microsoft Account (MSA) email address (Outlook, Hotmail, Gmail). If you do not already have a Microsoft Account, you may create one at https://signup.live.com/signup. Using your MSA will ensure that completed training can be retrieved at any time, regardless of your place of employment. If desired, you may link your progression with your .mil login under your learning profile.

    Note: If you are presented with a corporate sign-in page, select the link for "Sign in with another account" and login with your personal account to get started on the learning path.

 

DevMonkey_2-1671135843678.png

2. Register for one (or more) of the Challenge paths below:

 

Power Platform

Power Platform Fundamentals:

https://aka.ms/dodFundamentals

Power Platform App Maker:

https://aka.ms/dodAppMaker

Power Platform Functional Consultant:

https://aka.ms/dodFunctional

Power Platform Developer:

https://aka.ms/dodDeveloper

Power Platform Solution Architect Expert:

https://aka.ms/Architect-expert

Power BI Data Analyst Associate:

https://aka.ms/Analyst-associate

Power Automate RPA Developer:

https://aka.ms/dodrpa

 

Governance and Government Cloud

Power Platform Governance:

https://aka.ms/Platform-governance

Understanding the Government Cloud:

https://aka.ms/Government-cloud

 

Dynamics 365

Dynamics 365 Fundamentals:

https://aka.ms/d365-fundamentals

Dynamics 365 Customer Service:

https://aka.ms/d365-cs

Dynamics 365 Customer Data Specialist:

https://aka.ms/d365-data

  1. Select the branch of service you represent when registering.
  2. Complete the challenge before January 23, 2022.
  3. Earn Progress through each completed module and collection on Microsoft Learn.
  4. Track your progress on the challenge leaderboard.

Common Questions

 

Q: Is this Challenge a requirement? 
A: This challenge is self-paced and optional but will help individuals gain a deeper understanding into cloud solutions and is included as part of your subscription. 

 

Q: How long is this challenge and can we continue to take this challenge once it’s over? 
A: This Cloud Skills Challenge will be open for 60-days. However, users can continue to take the training after the window is closed. Users are highly encouraged to take this challenge within the challenge window to make it as fun and competitive as possible.

 

Q: Who should I contact if there are any questions regarding this Challenge? 
A: Derek Durkovic (dedurk@microsoft.com) will be your primary point of contact. An alternate point of contact is Federalre@service.microsoft.com.

 

Q: Will the completion of this Cloud Skills Challenge count as a formal Microsoft acknowledged Power Platform or Dynamics 365 certification? 
A: No. The completion of this Cloud Skills Challenge will provide the necessary knowledge for users which will help learners pass their Power Platform Certification Exams. Upon completion of the online training via CSC, the learner can register for an exam via our Learner Experience Portal (LxP). Additionally, if a learner completes a Cloud Skills Challenge, they can request a certificate of completion to help satisfy continuous learning credits by contacting: Federalre@service.microsoft.com 

 

Video Tutorials

Resources

Derek Durkovic will post challenge updates through LinkedIn as the challenge progresses. Please be sure to follow or connect with him at https://www.linkedin.com/in/ddurkovic to receive the updates. We look forward to having you join this challenge while and eagerly wait to see who will come out on top. Please don’t hesitate to forward this challenge to others within the DoD, all are welcome to join and compete.

 

GOOD LUCK!

3 REPLIES 3
TBitly
Helper II
Helper II

@DevMonkey Is this open to "non Federal" App Makers/Power Platform Professionals?

DevMonkey
Employee
Employee

Hey @TBitly, this is open to Federal DoD Customers Only. However, you can browse similar learning paths at Microsoft Power Platform documentation - Power Platform | Microsoft Learn and pursue training outside of the Cloud Skills Challenge.

FocusRach
Helper I
Helper I

I wish this was open to GCC high (gov contractors)! This would have been so much fun. I will keep an eye out for the next event. 

Helpful resources

Announcements

Exclusive LIVE Community Event: Power Apps Copilot Coffee Chat with Copilot Studio Product Team

  It's time for the SECOND Power Apps Copilot Coffee Chat featuring the Copilot Studio product team, which will be held LIVE on April 3, 2024 at 9:30 AM Pacific Daylight Time (PDT).     This is an incredible opportunity to connect with members of the Copilot Studio product team and ask them anything about Copilot Studio. We'll share our special guests with you shortly--but we want to encourage to mark your calendars now because you will not want to miss the conversation.   This live event will give you the unique opportunity to learn more about Copilot Studio plans, where we’ll focus, and get insight into upcoming features. We’re looking forward to hearing from the community, so bring your questions!   TO GET ACCESS TO THIS EXCLUSIVE AMA: Kudo this post to reserve your spot! Reserve your spot now by kudoing this post.  Reservations will be prioritized on when your kudo for the post comes through, so don't wait! Click that "kudo button" today.   Invitations will be sent on April 2nd.Users posting Kudos after April 2nd. at 9AM PDT may not receive an invitation but will be able to view the session online after conclusion of the event. Give your "kudo" today and mark your calendars for April 3rd, 2024 at 9:30 AM PDT and join us for an engaging and informative session!

Tuesday Tip: Unlocking Community Achievements and Earning Badges

TUESDAY TIPS are our way of communicating helpful things we've learned or shared that have helped members of the Community. Whether you're just getting started or you're a seasoned pro, Tuesday Tips will help you know where to go, what to look for, and navigate your way through the ever-growing--and ever-changing--world of the Power Platform Community! We cover basics about the Community, provide a few "insider tips" to make your experience even better, and share best practices gleaned from our most active community members and Super Users.   With so many new Community members joining us each week, we'll also review a few of our "best practices" so you know just "how" the Community works, so make sure to watch the News & Announcements each week for the latest and greatest Tuesday Tips!     THIS WEEK'S TIP: Unlocking Achievements and Earning BadgesAcross the Communities, you'll see badges on users profile that recognize and reward their engagement and contributions. These badges each signify a different achievement--and all of those achievements are available to any Community member! If you're a seasoned pro or just getting started, you too can earn badges for the great work you do. Check out some details on Community badges below--and find out more in the detailed link at the end of the article!       A Diverse Range of Badges to Collect The badges you can earn in the Community cover a wide array of activities, including: Kudos Received: Acknowledges the number of times a user’s post has been appreciated with a “Kudo.”Kudos Given: Highlights the user’s generosity in recognizing others’ contributions.Topics Created: Tracks the number of discussions initiated by a user.Solutions Provided: Celebrates the instances where a user’s response is marked as the correct solution.Reply: Counts the number of times a user has engaged with community discussions.Blog Contributor: Honors those who contribute valuable content and are invited to write for the community blog.       A Community Evolving Together Badges are not only a great way to recognize outstanding contributions of our amazing Community members--they are also a way to continue fostering a collaborative and supportive environment. As you continue to share your knowledge and assist each other these badges serve as a visual representation of your valuable contributions.   Find out more about badges in these Community Support pages in each Community: All About Community Badges - Power Apps CommunityAll About Community Badges - Power Automate CommunityAll About Community Badges - Copilot Studio CommunityAll About Community Badges - Power Pages Community

Tuesday Tips: Powering Up Your Community Profile

TUESDAY TIPS are our way of communicating helpful things we've learned or shared that have helped members of the Community. Whether you're just getting started or you're a seasoned pro, Tuesday Tips will help you know where to go, what to look for, and navigate your way through the ever-growing--and ever-changing--world of the Power Platform Community! We cover basics about the Community, provide a few "insider tips" to make your experience even better, and share best practices gleaned from our most active community members and Super Users.   With so many new Community members joining us each week, we'll also review a few of our "best practices" so you know just "how" the Community works, so make sure to watch the News & Announcements each week for the latest and greatest Tuesday Tips!   This Week's Tip: Power Up Your Profile!  🚀 It's where every Community member gets their start, and it's essential that you keep it updated! Your Community User Profile is how you're able to get messages, post solutions, ask questions--and as you rank up, it's where your badges will appear and how you'll be known when you start blogging in the Community Blog. Your Community User Profile is how the Community knows you--so it's essential that it works the way you need it to! From changing your username to updating contact information, this Knowledge Base Article is your best resource for powering up your profile.     Password Puzzles? No Problem! Find out how to sync your Azure AD password with your community account, ensuring a seamless sign-in. No separate passwords to remember! Job Jumps & Email Swaps Changed jobs? Got a new email? Fear not! You'll find out how to link your shiny new email to your existing community account, keeping your contributions and connections intact. Username Uncertainties Unraveled Picking the perfect username is crucial--and sometimes the original choice you signed up with doesn't fit as well as you may have thought. There's a quick way to request an update here--but remember, your username is your community identity, so choose wisely. "Need Admin Approval" Warning Window? If you see this error message while using the community, don't worry. A simple process will help you get where you need to go. If you still need assistance, find out how to contact your Community Support team. Whatever you're looking for, when it comes to your profile, the Community Account Support Knowledge Base article is your treasure trove of tips as you navigate the nuances of your Community Profile. It’s the ultimate resource for keeping your digital identity in tip-top shape while engaging with the Power Platform Community. So, dive in and power up your profile today!  💪🚀   Community Account Support | Power Apps Community Account Support | Power AutomateCommunity Account Support | Copilot Studio  Community Account Support | Power Pages

Super User of the Month | Chris Piasecki

In our 2nd installment of this new ongoing feature in the Community, we're thrilled to announce that Chris Piasecki is our Super User of the Month for March 2024. If you've been in the Community for a while, we're sure you've seen a comment or marked one of Chris' helpful tips as a solution--he's been a Super User for SEVEN consecutive seasons!       Since authoring his first reply in April 2020 to his most recent achievement organizing the Canadian Power Platform Summit this month, Chris has helped countless Community members with his insights and expertise. In addition to being a Super User, Chris is also a User Group leader, Microsoft MVP, and a featured speaker at the Microsoft Power Platform Conference. His contributions to the new SUIT program, along with his joyous personality and willingness to jump in and help so many members has made Chris a fixture in the Power Platform Community.   When Chris isn't authoring solutions or organizing events, he's actively leading Piasecki Consulting, specializing in solution architecture, integration, DevOps, and more--helping clients discover how to strategize and implement Microsoft's technology platforms. We are grateful for Chris' insightful help in the Community and look forward to even more amazing milestones as he continues to assist so many with his great tips, solutions--always with a smile and a great sense of humor.You can find Chris in the Community and on LinkedIn. Thanks for being such a SUPER user, Chris! 💪🌠

Find Out What Makes Super Users So Super

We know many of you visit the Power Platform Communities to ask questions and receive answers. But do you know that many of our best answers and solutions come from Community members who are super active, helping anyone who needs a little help getting unstuck with Business Applications products? We call these dedicated Community members Super Users because they are the real heroes in the Community, willing to jump in whenever they can to help! Maybe you've encountered them yourself and they've solved some of your biggest questions. Have you ever wondered, "Why?"We interviewed several of our Super Users to understand what drives them to help in the Community--and discover the difference it has made in their lives as well! Take a look in our gallery today: What Motivates a Super User? - Power Platform Community (microsoft.com)

March User Group Update: New Groups and Upcoming Events!

  Welcome to this month’s celebration of our Community User Groups and exciting User Group events. We’re thrilled to introduce some brand-new user groups that have recently joined our vibrant community. Plus, we’ve got a lineup of engaging events you won’t want to miss. Let’s jump right in: New User Groups   Sacramento Power Platform GroupANZ Power Platform COE User GroupPower Platform MongoliaPower Platform User Group OmanPower Platform User Group Delta StateMid Michigan Power Platform Upcoming Events  DUG4MFG - Quarterly Meetup - Microsoft Demand PlanningDate: 19 Mar 2024 | 10:30 AM to 12:30 PM Central America Standard TimeDescription: Dive into the world of manufacturing with a focus on Demand Planning. Learn from industry experts and share your insights. Dynamics User Group HoustonDate: 07 Mar 2024 | 11:00 AM to 01:00 PM Central America Standard TimeDescription: Houston, get ready for an immersive session on Dynamics 365 and the Power Platform. Connect with fellow professionals and expand your knowledge. Reading Dynamics 365 & Power Platform User Group (Q1)Date: 05 Mar 2024 | 06:00 PM to 09:00 PM GMT Standard TimeDescription: Join our virtual meetup for insightful discussions, demos, and community updates. Let’s kick off Q1 with a bang! Leaders, Create Your Events!    Leaders of existing User Groups, don’t forget to create your events within the Community platform. By doing so, you’ll enable us to share them in future posts and newsletters. Let’s spread the word and make these gatherings even more impactful! Stay tuned for more updates, inspiring stories, and collaborative opportunities from and for our Community User Groups.   P.S. Have an event or success story to share? Reach out to us – we’d love to feature you!

Top Kudoed Authors
Users online (5,385)