6 courses to help you become a UC Engineer
Becoming a Unified Communications Engineer takes time and willingness to learn. Here are some courses to make the journey to this career path easier.
Unified Communications (UC) is what keeps modern workplaces running smoothly—behind every seamless video call, call forwarding setup, or virtual meeting room is a UC Engineer who made it all work.
As more organisations adopt hybrid work and cloud-based tools like Microsoft Teams and Cisco Webex, the demand for UC Engineers has grown rapidly. These professionals handle the systems that unify voice, video, messaging, and devices—whether on-premise or in the cloud.
But here’s the good news: you don’t need a fancy degree or expensive bootcamp to start learning. Whether you’re coming from IT, networking, or are just curious about the space, there are free (and some low-cost) online courses that walk you through the real-world skills UC Engineers need—from Teams Phone to Cisco UCM.
Here are six beginner-to-intermediate courses to help you get started in UC Engineering:
Louis Eriakha
1. Configure and Deploy Teams Phone – Microsoft Learn
This official Microsoft module shows you how to set up and manage Teams Phone—the cloud-based telephony system used by thousands of businesses worldwide.
What you’ll learn:
- Emergency dialling address configuration
- PSTN connectivity (Calling Plans & Operator Connect)
- User and policy management
Why take it: It’s a practical introduction to Microsoft’s enterprise phone system and gives you hands-on experience configuring calling plans, policies, and voice routing.
2. Configure and Deploy Teams Phone with Direct Routing – Microsoft Learn
This advanced follow-up goes deeper by teaching you how to connect Teams Phone to external PSTN providers through Direct Routing.
What you’ll learn:
- Session Border Controller (SBC) configuration
- Voice routing, dial plans, and number management
- Survivable Branch Appliance setup
Why take it: It gives you more flexibility and control over telephony infrastructure—skills that are crucial for real-world UC deployments in larger enterprises.
3. Configure, Deploy, and Manage Teams Devices – Microsoft Learn
Phones, room systems, conference bars, displays—all of these falls under a UC Engineer’s scope. This course helps you manage and deploy these devices across your organisation.
What you’ll learn:
- Provisioning Teams-compatible devices
- Managing device settings through the Teams Admin Centre
- PowerShell automation for device rollouts
Why take it: A solid grasp of device management ensures smoother meetings, better user experiences, and fewer IT headaches.
4. Understanding Cisco Collaboration Foundations (CLFNDU) – Cisco On-Demand eLearning
If you're interested in working with on-premise systems, Cisco still plays a major role in enterprise UC setups. This foundational course walks you through Cisco Unified Communications Manager (CUCM) and SIP basics.
What you’ll learn:
- Administering Cisco UCM (phones, users, media resources)
- SIP dial plans and PSTN integration
- Troubleshooting and system maintenance
Why take it: It's a great starting point for building your Cisco skills and sets you up for more advanced certifications.
5. Implementing and Operating Cisco Collaboration Core (CLCOR) – Cisco eLearning or Instructor-Led
This is the next level after CLFNDU and covers more advanced UC concepts. It’s part of the official Cisco Certified Network Professional (CCNP) Collaboration path.
What you’ll learn:
- Codec operations, Quality of Service (QoS), dial plans
- LDAP integration, mobility, and call control
- Troubleshooting complex UC environments
Why take it: Perfect if you’re pursuing Cisco certifications or looking to handle larger, more complex UC infrastructures.
6. Get Started with Microsoft Teams Phone (User Training) – Microsoft Adoption Centre
While this one is designed for end-users, it’s still useful for aspiring UC Engineers to understand how people interact with Teams Phone day-to-day.
What you’ll learn:
- Making and receiving calls, setting up voicemail and call forwarding
- Navigating call history and audio conferencing
- Understanding the end-user experience
Why take it: Knowing what users need helps you design more effective systems and provide better support.
Louis Eriakha
Final Thoughts
Whether you’re configuring Teams Phone, managing Cisco call managers, or supporting meeting room devices, UC Engineers play a crucial role in keeping communication seamless. These free and low-cost courses offer the perfect entry point into the field, helping you build both foundational and advanced skills at your own pace.
Start with the platform that interests you most—Microsoft or Cisco—and grow from there. The tools may change, but the core principles of good communication systems remain. And with companies investing more in hybrid work, your skills will only become more valuable.
