|
Voiced by Amazon Polly |
There are moments in life that validate your journey, moments that make every challenge, every late night, and every ounce of effort worth it.
For me, one such defining moment came on February 13, 2026, when I received the Top 100 Microsoft Certified Trainer (MCT) Award for the second time.
This isn’t just an award.
It’s a reflection of passion, discipline, and the belief that teaching can truly transform lives.
Start Learning In-Demand Tech Skills with Expert-Led Training
- Industry-Authorized Curriculum
- Expert-led Training
Where It All Began
My journey into the world of Microsoft technologies started back in October 2020.
Like many others, I began with the fundamentals, preparing for the AZ-900 certification. Passing that first exam wasn’t just an achievement; it was a spark. And that spark quickly turned into a mission.
At that time, Microsoft was offering free certifications, and I made a decision that changed my life. I fully committed myself to learning, growing, and mastering the ecosystem.
Before I even joined CloudThat, I knew one thing for sure:
I wasn’t just learning for myself.
I wanted to teach.
Stepping Into the Trainer Role
Today, I serve as an MCT SME at CloudThat, and over the past 4 years, I’ve had the privilege of training 15,000+ learners across different audiences, including students, working professionals, corporate teams, and even government employees.
But training, for me, was never about just delivering content. It was about making people truly understand.
I realized early on that traditional slide-based teaching wasn’t enough. So, I built my own approach:
- Minimal PPTs (only for revision)
- Strong whiteboard explanations
- Real-world production scenarios
- Live demos
- Interactive questioning and mock interviews
Because at the end of the day, knowledge that isn’t applied is knowledge wasted.
The Challenges Behind the Success
The journey wasn’t easy.
Azure is constantly evolving, and staying up to date requires daily discipline and continuous upskilling.
One of the biggest challenges I faced was handling high-pressure training environments. I still remember conducting sessions for 450+ participants per day, for 10 consecutive days. The volume of questions, expectations, and responsibilities was overwhelming. There were moments I genuinely felt like giving up. But something inside me kept pushing forward.
A vision.
A feeling.
That one day, all of this effort would lead to something bigger.
What Kept Me Going
During those tough moments, I held onto one belief:
“The top is worth reaching.”
That belief gave me strength when things got hard. It reminded me that consistency beats talent, and discipline builds greatness.
The Award Moment
When I received the email announcing my selection for the Top 100 MCT Award, my first reaction wasn’t excitement; it was gratitude.
Gratitude towards:
- CloudThat, for providing me with the platform
- My colleagues, for their constant support
- And most importantly, my learners, who trusted me to guide them
The first place I shared the news?
Our CloudThat Trainers Group. Because this achievement wasn’t mine alone, it belonged to everyone who was part of my journey. To me, this award represents one simple truth: You can turn your passion into success.
My Teaching Philosophy
If I had to define my philosophy in one line, it would be:
“Make them understand and make them implement.”
Anyone can explain a concept. But a great trainer ensures that the learner can actually use it in the real world. I also strongly believe in aligning with what I call the “soul path.”
I always tell my students:
“Go for what you are meant for. What is yours will always find you.”
And when students struggle, I don’t push harder; I adapt. I connect the topic to their interests, simplify it, and meet them where they are.
What Makes a Great Trainer?
In my experience, it comes down to one word: Discipline.
Not motivation. Not talent. Discipline to:
- Show up every day
- Keep learning
- Deliver consistently
- Improve continuously
Looking Ahead
Winning this award is not the destination; it’s a milestone.
I’m more excited than ever to:
- Deliver more impactful training sessions
- Earn more certifications
- Deepen my expertise in Microsoft technologies
But beyond all achievements, I want to be remembered as a trainer who made learning unforgettable. Someone who wasn’t just a technical expert, but also an artist in delivery, a motivator, and an encourager.
A Message to My Learners & Future MCTs
To my students:
Always move towards your soul path.
What is meant for you will never miss you.
To aspiring MCTs:
If I can make it to the Top 100, so can you.
The Road Ahead
If I had to summarize my journey in one line, it would be: consistency, discipline, and strong habits create extraordinary outcomes.
This is just the beginning. And the best is yet to come.
Upskill Your Teams with Enterprise-Ready Tech Training Programs
- Team-wide Customizable Programs
- Measurable Business Outcomes
About CloudThat
WRITTEN BY Akhilash K
Akhilash Nambiyer is a Microsoft Certified Trainer and Subject Matter Expert at CloudThat, specializing in Cloud Technologies, Security, and Data Engineering. With over 5 years of experience in the cloud training and consulting domain, he has trained more than 10,000 learners across Microsoft Azure, AWS, Databricks, and Oracle. Known for his clear, real-world teaching style and ability to simplify complex concepts, he brings deep technical knowledge and practical application into every learning experience. Akhilash’s passion for creating impactful learning experiences and empowering professionals reflects in his engaging, hands-on approach to teaching and mentoring.
Login

April 10, 2026
PREV
Comments