Why do many partners struggle with skilling requirements?

Skilling is one of the most common challenges because specialization requirements are more specific and demanding than those for designations. Partners often assume that existing certifications will suffice, only to discover that specialization-specific roles or advanced certifications are required. Exam availability, preparation time, and employee attrition can further complicate planning. Additionally, certifications must be active and correctly associated with the partner tenant in Partner Center. Without a proactive skilling roadmap and contingency planning, partners may face delays or fail to qualify within their intended timeframe, making skilling the longest lead-time dependency in the specialization journey.