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ESI Training Programs

ESI Training Programs

The Microsoft Enterprise Skills Initiative (ESI) is a no-cost training and certification benefit available to employees of UConn that hold a Microsoft Enterprise Agreement. ESI provides university faculty and staff with access to role-based learning paths, official Microsoft certification preparation content, and significantly discounted certification exam vouchers across five major technology domains: AI, cloud, security, data, and modern work.

Unlike general self-study platforms, ESI is tailored to an employee's specific role and career goals. After completing a brief learner profile, the platform surfaces the training and certifications most relevant to that individual making it a practical, personalized upskilling tool rather than an open-ended content library.

ESI at UConn

Accessing ESI

Step 1: Visit the ESI Portal

Navigate to the Microsoft Enterprise Skills Initiative portal at the link provided through UConn's Microsoft agreement (Enterprise Skills Initiative: Welcome).

Step 2: Sign In with Your UConn Credentials

Use your UConn email address in the format netid@uconn.edu to authenticate. This links your account to UConn's institutional license and unlocks the benefits available under UConn's Enterprise Agreement.

Step 3: Complete Your Learner Profile

Once signed in, complete your learner profile by selecting your job role, department focus, and areas of interest. This step is important because the platform uses your profile to surface eligible training paths and show which certification discounts apply to your role. Skipping the profile means missing out on personalized recommendations and potentially missing exam discount eligibility.

Representative ESI-Eligabile Certifications

  • AI & Data: AI‑900 (Azure AI Fundamentals), AI‑102 (Azure AI Engineer), DP‑900 (Data Fundamentals) 

  • Cloud: AZ‑900 (Azure Fundamentals), AZ‑104 (Azure Administrator), AZ‑305 (Azure Solutions Architect) 

  • Security: SC‑900 (Security, Compliance & Identity Fundamentals), SC‑200 (Security Operations Analyst), AZ‑500 (Azure Security Engineer) 

  • Modern Work / Power Platform: MS‑900 (Microsoft 365 Fundamentals), PL‑900 (Power Platform Fundamentals), PL‑300 (Power BI Data Analyst)