AI is no longer a distant concept—it’s here, and it’s revolutionising industries faster than we ever imagined. On 22 January 2025, CTU Training Solutions had the privilege of attending the Microsoft AI Partner Training Day at the Focus Rooms in Sandton, South Africa. This event brought together developers, data scientists, sales professionals, and AI enthusiasts for a day filled with innovation, hands-on learning, and groundbreaking discussions about the future of AI in the workplace.

A Day of Learning and Experimentation

The Microsoft AI Partner Training Day wasn’t just another conference—it was an opportunity for attendees to roll up their sleeves and dive deep into AI-powered applications, cloud-scale data, and app development. The event featured immersive “Build Your Own Copilot” workshops, one-on-one expert engagements, and interactive AI experience booths, all designed to help professionals explore and implement AI solutions in real-world scenarios.

Attendees were given the option to explore four specialised tracks:

📌 Sales Excellence: How Microsoft AI is changing the way we sell and engage with decision-makers.
📌 Tech Deep Dive: Hands-on experience with AI-powered app development on Azure.
📌 Tech Overview: A broad yet technical look into Microsoft’s AI ecosystem.
📌 Legal & Compliance: Understanding Microsoft’s approach to Responsible AI and data governance.

CTU’s Presence – Connecting AI with Skills Development

As a Microsoft Training Partner, CTU’s dedicated booth served as a hub for insightful discussions and networking, where attendees explored AI-driven learning opportunities. Our team engaged with industry professionals, highlighting CTU’s AI training solutions and workforce upskilling programmes. The event reinforced CTU’s commitment to preparing professionals with the essential AI skills needed to thrive in an evolving digital landscape.

Reflecting on the event, Leeroy Esbend, CTU’s Content & Community Manager, shared: “One of the highlights for me was learning about the new Viva Features for Copilot Adoption & Measurement. Seeing how AI-driven automation in Viva Engage enhances communication was eye-opening. The hands-on Build Your Own Copilot session also provided real-world insights into deploying AI-powered tools.”

Martin Groenewald, Sales Manager for CTU Menlyn Campus, added: “The event was well-organised, engaging, and insightful. Seeing how Microsoft Copilot can optimise sales and automate repetitive tasks was a game-changer. The networking opportunities with industry experts and Microsoft specialists made the event even more valuable.”

The Road Ahead – AI Training for the Future

With AI rapidly transforming industries, skills development is more critical than ever. CTU Training Solutions is at the forefront of this shift, offering AI-based short courses designed to equip professionals with the knowledge and tools needed to thrive in an AI-driven economy.

Whether you’re an IT professional, business leader, or AI enthusiast, our specialised training programmes will help you stay ahead of the curve.