Jonathan Clipston Contracted Trainer Certifications Earned Microsoft Office Specialist Master Instructor - certified in Microsoft Word Expert, Excel Expert, PowerPoint, Access, and Outlook   Employer Self Employed Location Great Britain

In his own words: “People were very impressed with my Master Instructor credential on my business card. It got me a bit of respect among my peers as well.”

Employment Opportunities and Accolades Abound for Microsoft Office Specialist Master Instructor
Certified trainer demonstrates extensive Microsoft Office and training expertise that transcends physical limitations

After a life-changing accident resulted in the amputation of his right arm, Jonathan Clipston discovered a knack for computing and training to develop a career abounding with opportunities in Great Britain. Now the Microsoft® Office Specialist Master Instructor inspires both his employers and his trainees with his considerable knowledge of Microsoft Office and his exceptional training expertise.

BACKGROUND
In a serious automobile accident in 1988, Clipston broke both of his legs, both of his arms and both hands in numerous places. Because of multiple severe injuries, Clipston’s right arm was amputated at the elbow.

While recovering from his accident, Clipston received occupational therapy, during which he discovered he could type on an old typewriter using only one hand. His therapist suggested he consider putting his skill to use in a career in the computing industry.

After enduring physiotherapy and occupational therapy sessions in the morning, Clipston soon began learning about computers in the information technology (IT) department of a local company in the afternoons. After almost six years of recovery, he moved to a full-time position in the company and discovered another hidden talent: he was a natural communicator. “I felt it would be good to help the other computer users around the group understand more about the applications they were using, so I set about writing some course manuals and organized my first training sessions to these users,” he said.

“I thought my training was good,” Clipston said. “I could answer a question if someone had one.” Still, after a couple of years, Clipston began seeking a standard against which he could measure his expertise. He soon learned about Certiport’s Microsoft Office Specialist program, the official worldwide certification for the Microsoft Office system of business productivity programs.

PROCESS
Clipston prepared for his first Office Specialist exams by reviewing practice exam questions online, working through preparation CDs and studying textbooks.

“The exam format is most suitable,” he said. “It uses real-life examples. It tells you what’s expected, and you don’t have to wait to know if you passed.”

CERTIFICATION
Clipston is a certified Office Specialist Master Instructor. Master Instructor certification is for individuals who are or aspire to be Microsoft Office teachers or trainers. Recognized for their skills and hands-on abilities to use Microsoft Office, Master Instructors are required to earn Expert-level certifications in Microsoft Word and Excel and Specialist-level certifications in PowerPoint® and either Access or Outlook®. In addition, Master Instructors satisfy an instructional experience requirement, which includes having a teaching degree, training degree or certified experience in providing Microsoft Office or other software training.

Clipston also leveraged his Office Specialist qualifications to earn Trainer Assessment Programme (TAP) certification. TAP certification is available through the Institute of IT Training (IITT), the world's first professional body for IT training professionals. IITT recently agreed to provide IT trainers access to Office Specialist certification.

RESULT
Clipston’s certifications have provided him scores of employment opportunities, increased his confidence and competency with Microsoft Office and influenced others’ perceptions about people with physical limitations.

After 12 years of service with his first employer, a layoff presented Clipston the opportunity to work as a contracted trainer. One of his first jobs was working for Afiniti, an IT consultancy, serving as a trainer for Network Rail on a nationwide transition project for the British railway system. He provided training sessions for new product upgrades, walked the floor to ensure employees were happy with the programs and focused on increasing compatibility between the old and new systems. In 2005, the project won the External Training Project of the Year award from IITT.

After the Network Rail project, Clipston was recommended for a contract with the Home Office, a government department responsible for internal affairs in England and Wales. As a trainer on the nationwide Technical Refresh Project, Clipston had Home Office Security Clearance to work at any of their offices in Great Britain.

“I am convinced my Microsoft qualifications helped me secure these prestigious contracts by demonstrating my commitment to my profession,” Clipston said. “My Office Specialist certification helped me to get onto the Network Rail project, which resulted in my next position with the Home Office. People were very impressed with my Master Instructor credential on my business card. It got me a bit of respect among my peers as well.”

Clipston next worked on a training project for the social services department of the London Borough of Harrow. Gerrish Gray is a director of Progressus Solutions, the social-care-focused implementation and training company contracted to work on the Harrow Council project. “Jonathan was an essential member of our core team,” Gray reported. “He was responsible for developing bespoke training courses for Harrow's implementation of the Corelogic Framework-i case-management system and delivering the training to case workers. His advanced Microsoft Office skills, combined with his in-depth knowledge and experience of training techniques and practice, proved absolutely invaluable and played a significant role in gaining us the plaudits we received from Harrow.”

Gray said Clipston’s previous training experience was highly relevant when Progressus Solutions selected him for the Harrow Council project. “His qualifications strengthened our team,” he said. “His Office Specialist certification, his full membership in the Institute of IT Training and his TAP certification were significant. I knew his Office Specialist expertise would be valuable; half of his role was creating user manuals and training materials, which he did using Microsoft Office programs. He was a key member of our training team; we definitely plan to use him again for future projects.”

Clipston’s certifications continue to open doors for him. With his name listed with employment agencies and Office Specialist certifications on his curriculum vitae, Clipston receives many employment offers. “I’m sure if I were just a trainer without Office Specialist certification on my CV these opportunities would pass me by. My certifications make a big difference to the person who hires me to train.”

When Clipston upgraded his Office Specialist certifications, his knowledge continued to increase and his training improved. “I learned a lot about Microsoft Office I wasn’t aware of before,” he said. “It’s great to realize you know new things to make your life easier. Office Specialist certification proves your knowledge. You do know what you say you know.”

Gray agreed Clipston has considerable Microsoft Office proficiency. “Jonathan has studied Microsoft Office in depth,” he said. “His certifications are evidence he knows how it works. It made me confident of his highly relevant skills and ability—not just with Microsoft Office but also as evidence of his ability to study and learn the workings of a large software suite comprehensively.”

With this impressive experience and certified skills, Clipston’s trainees often forget his disabilities. “I like to think my users are suitably impressed with my training, and they forget I have only one arm,” he said. “I feel my certification has helped people see me in a new light. It has helped them to see there is ability in disability."