Employers are increasingly requiring certifications like AZ-900, SC-900, and MS-900 for Digital Workplace and Cloud roles — even at entry level.
Just a few years ago, an entry-level IT job might only have required hands-on support skills and perhaps CompTIA ITF+ or A+. But today’s employers are increasingly demanding evidence of cloud, compliance, and productivity knowledge.
One of the clearest signals comes from the British Transport Police, whose recent posting for a Digital Workplace Engineer (Platforms) explicitly lists AZ-900: Microsoft Azure Fundamentals, SC-900: Microsoft Security, Compliance, and Identity, and MS-900 among its requirements.
This trend isn’t limited to the public sector. A growing number of Digital Workplace Engineer and Microsoft 365 Engineer roles now demand Microsoft’s entry-level fundamentals — even for positions once considered “support level.”
Why Microsoft Fundamentals Matter
Microsoft created its Fundamentals certifications to be accessible entry points requiring no prior experience. Each one provides a different building block of IT knowledge:
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AZ-900: Microsoft Azure Fundamentals – Cloud services, Azure architecture, pricing, and governance.
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SC-900: Security, Compliance & Identity – Identity concepts, security principles, Microsoft compliance solutions.
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MS-900: Microsoft 365 Fundamentals – Core knowledge of Microsoft 365 productivity and collaboration tools.
At Robust IT Training, these courses sit within broader career pathways such as the Azure Cloud Engineer route and the Cybersecurity pathway. Learners often start here before progressing to higher-level certifications like AZ-104 or SC-200.
Evidence from UK Job Postings
The trend is clear across multiple sources:
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British Transport Police — Digital Workplace Engineer (Platforms)
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Requires AZ-900, SC-900, MS-900.
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Stresses a “regulated, security-focused environment,” which aligns perfectly with SC-900 learning outcomes.
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British Transport Police — Digital Workplace Engineer (Solutions Team)
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Does not list certifications by code but highlights skills in Microsoft 365 and Azure. These are the core domains of MS-900 and AZ-900.
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IT Jobs Watch – Microsoft 365 Engineer Roles
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Salary benchmarks continue to rise. Many listings cite Active Directory/Entra ID, Azure basics, and Microsoft 365 knowledge — all mapped directly to AZ-900 and MS-900.
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Indeed Job Ads – Azure Fundamentals
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Several 2nd Line Support Technician postings list “Microsoft Fundamentals (AZ-900, MS-900, or SC-900)” as equivalents to a degree.
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Education Providers
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Colleges like Gower College Swansea offer SC-900 training, proving that demand isn’t just employer-driven but also shaping academic offerings.
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These job ads highlight why courses like AZ-900 and SC-900 are becoming career essentials.
The UK Job Market Context
Cloud Adoption
UK organisations — from the NHS to SMEs — are rapidly adopting Microsoft Azure. Employers want staff who understand cloud pricing, workloads, and scalability, knowledge provided by AZ-900.
Compliance & Security
Frameworks such as GDPR and Cyber Essentials have put compliance front-and-centre. That’s why SC-900 is showing up in job ads: it validates understanding of security, compliance, and identity protection.
Productivity & Collaboration
Post-pandemic, hybrid work means Microsoft 365 is a business essential. The MS-900 certification provides foundational understanding of Teams, Exchange, and SharePoint — aligning with Digital Workplace Engineer roles.
Career Growth Pathways
Completing Microsoft Fundamentals isn’t just about getting one certificate — it’s about unlocking progression routes.
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After AZ-900, many learners advance to AZ-104 (Azure Administrator).
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After SC-900, common next steps include SC-200 (Security Operations Analyst) or SC-300 (Identity & Access Administrator).
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After MS-900, learners often progress into the Microsoft 365 Administrator (MS-102) exam.
These progression routes are built into Robust IT Training’s Microsoft course library.
Internal Case Studies and Success
At Robust IT, students who began with AZ-900 or SC-900 have progressed into cyber roles, often through our Cybersecurity career pathway.
Our Success Stories page features learners who transitioned into IT with only fundamental certifications before stepping into higher-level qualifications.
Why Now is the Right Time
Microsoft Fundamentals are ideal for:
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Career changers seeking an accessible first step.
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Graduates looking for professional validation without work experience.
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Support engineers aiming to move into cloud, compliance, or M365 roles.
With UK employers already naming these certifications in postings, gaining them now offers a competitive edge.
Learners can also spread costs using finance options, making certification more accessible.
Conclusion
The UK job market is clear: Microsoft Fundamentals (AZ-900, SC-900, MS-900) are no longer “optional extras.” They are becoming baseline requirements for IT roles across government, policing, and private enterprise.
These certifications prove knowledge of cloud, compliance, and Microsoft 365 — the very skills employers need as organisations modernise.
Next Steps
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Start with a Fundamentals course:
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Map your career route with the Azure Cloud Engineer pathway or AI Engineer pathway.
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Learn how others have succeeded by visiting our Success Stories.
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Book your place today with flexible finance options.
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Join the Robust IT Student Community to network with peers and access resources.