As a well provisioned test taker and highly prolific Blockchain and Cloud Computing Instructor I have some unique viewpoints to share. Matter of fact my experience outweighs most of the industry evangelists who some of which I know have not actually setup a blockchain.
So the purpose of this post is to share with you my thoughts and let you determine which training and certification provider you should consider.
Note that this is the first in a series I will be doing comparing different training and certification bodies in blockchain. Not all are equal and not all provide value when you actually review their content.
When considering taking a course or exam from Blockchain Training Alliance or the Blockchain Council it is important to clearly understand that each of these organizations are very different and the costs are as well.
I will leave it up to you to determine which one is better for you. I will provide my insight at the end who I think executes better though in specific areas listed below.
Reality is that both organizations are very different and would attract different types of students. I have taken courses and certifications from both organizations.
I hope this insight will help you make the right decision on your blockchain journey!
I have broken up this post as follows based on questions I would receive.
- About Them
- Certifications Available
- Training Quality
- Training Ecosystem
- Certification Quality
- Costing Model
- Who should you choose?
About Them – Blockchain Training Alliance and Blockchain Council
The Blockchain Training Alliance is providing the most comprehensive schedule for Blockchain training around the globe. We have a passion for disruptive technologies and believe the distributed ledger is the movement of the future.
Our goal is simple – provide the most relevant content and instruction to our students for Blockchain technology and support this through new courses as the technology reshapes the corporate world.
We provide a blend of public training classrooms, customized private programs, and additional learning support.
Blockchain Council is an authoritative group of subject experts and enthusiasts who are evangelizing the Blockchain Research and Development, Use Cases and Products and Knowledge for a better world.
Blockchain technology is more than just a technology, which is emerging rapidly with a vast scope in the future. Blockchain acts as a financial network, software, distributed ledger, etc.
Owing to this multitude of benefits and features, companies are now shifting their centralized and traditional working system to this trending and futuristic technology “Blockchain”
Blockchain Council creates an environment and raises awareness among businesses, enterprises, developers, and society by educating them in the Blockchain space. We are a private de-facto organization working individually and proliferating Blockchain technology globally.
Now that we understand their templated statements are and what they stand for lets gets started.
Certifications Available
Blockchain Training Alliance (BTA) has several certifications and I expect them to pump out some more whether required or not in the industry. Times are getting tougher and the reality is that the blockchain market is small. Its not like Cloud Computing. The certifications though will be higher quality and they should be because of the cost as compared to Blockchain Council.
Blockchain Training Alliance
- Certified Blockchain Solution Architect (CBSA)
- Certified Blockchain Developer – Ethereum (CBDE)
- Certified Blockchain Developer – Hyperledger (CBDH)
- Certified Blockchain Business Foundations (CBBF)
- Certified Blockchain Security Professional (CBSP)
https://blockchaintrainingalliance.com/pages/blockchain-certification
Check out my CBSA Training on Udemy
Blockchain Council
- Certified Blockchain Expert (CBE)
- Certified Blockchain Developer (CBD)
- Certified Blockchain Architect (CBA)
- And Fifteen More I wont even bother writing https://www.blockchain-council.org/blockchain-certification/
Training Quality
Between Blockchain Training Alliance and Blockchain Council its a matter of you get what you pay for. The content with both is suitable between the two its just its clearly defined who places an emphasis on content development and certification. The winner is Blockchain Training Alliance without a doubt.
Training Ecosystem
BTA is the winner here. They have a larger ecosystem from a training delivery than the Blockchain Council For example, BTA has partnerships with your usual training delivery companies such as Global Knowledge. Whereas the Blockchain Council does not at least any partner training ecosystem to my knowledge.
Certification Quality
BTA is the winner here. Secondly, BTA requires you to go to Pearson Testing Center to validate your taking the test and not someone reading a screen at home. Blockchain Council uses a Thinkific platform it appears and there is no proctor. The exams by BTA were better written as well as the BTA exam objectives. Blockchain Council has no objectives on what you would be tested on.
Costing Model
BTA costing somewhat more expensive whether in person or online. Its you get what you pay for. 3 Day Instructor training runs around $2195 per class and the online content is somewhat overpriced as opposed to other platforms around $399 per class and does not include certification. BTA does have a Free class called Blockchain Overview: Business Foundations On Demand and the certification exam is $199
Blockchain Council is online and cheaper @ $125 per certification and it includes the class.
Once again, pay for what you expect.
Who should you choose?
Well again I really dont want to sway someone either way but Ill provide insight since I trained with both of them and certified by both.
I think if your resource constrained and want to slap something on LinkedIn quickly then Blockchain Council is the winner. BTA is costly and may not be needed in your case.
I think if you company will pay for your certification training then choose Blockchain Training Alliance. Do not choose Blockchain Council since they do not hold in person training.
I think if you want a “specialized” certification like the over 20 certifications that Blockchain Council has then choose them. Do not choose BTA
If you want to go to a testing and valid your knowledge with a proctor then go with Blockchain Training Alliance. If you do not then go with Blockchain Council.
From an employer perspective it would be clear that BTA certifications would provide trust that you have a tested skillset because you did take an exam that was proctored.
Lastly, if your going to be a developer in Ethereum or Hyperledger Fabric then you need to choose Blockchain Training Alliance because of their detailed courseware in these subjects.
Order my book on Amazon!
“Architecting Enterprise Blockchain Solutions” from Wiley Sybex.
Check out my Youtube channel as well for helpful videos!
Joe Holbrook, The Cloud Tech Guy
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