IT Training Providers - What Should I Look For?
If you're searching for IT training providers, it follows that you're about to make a choice on who will train you. So let's make a few assumptions about where you're at right now and let's look at the options available:
* You wish to learn a new skill to get a job.
* You're in search of quality training that's thorough and doesn't miss anything out so you'll feel capable in your new job.
* Your chosen certification should get you short-listed for interview.
* You wish to find a provider that can offer you quality advice, effective training, support when you need it, and all at a reasonable price.
So where should you start? Assuming you're looking to maximise your employability factor, it's probably best to ignore Universities for this market sector. This may be questionable news for you to hear, but let me explain. Degrees tend to be too academic and not specific enough for today's IT jobs. You can prove this statement yourself, just look at any of the Jobsites and you'll see that the majority of employers are looking for commercial qualifications.
Where can I find training for commercial qualifications? Historically there are two routes:
One way is Boot Camps. These are mind bogglingly intensive 10 to 14 week training sessions that are purely designed to pass qualifications. If you're sharp, good at learning and prepared to commit every waking hour to study, they will get you through, but the failure rate is high.
However, employers tend to view Boot Camp students as lesser mortals! This is because in the past they've found students from this form of training haven't enough understanding of their subject to handle the cross section of challenges in the work place.
These days, boot camps tend to be used by experienced IT professionals who use them to upgrade their skills, so the majority of your class mates will be way ahead of you and you will be hard pushed to keep up.
The second option has been the typical Distance Learning College, using study books, the odd CD, reference manuals and visits to a classroom at various times throughout the course. With commitment and grit, it is possible to succeed, but you'll be in the minority. Most of these providers couldn't make a profit if large numbers of their students didn't drop out on the way.
What To Look For In IT Training Providers...
Judge for yourself whether you can learn from their training materials - insist on seeing a sample and take five minutes to go through it. If strangely there's some reason why you can't do this, our advice would be to walk away.
Take time to understand exactly how a company's support works. You'll need access to tutors at the times you intend to study, not a message system for a call back later in office hours, so please check. Use questions like 'It's 10pm Sunday night, I have a question, what will happen and when will I get my answer?'
Beware of companies who ask for money up-front for your exams as an all-in cost. You will be paying interest for something you could pay for later and they are hoping to keep the money if you don't take them all!
If this insight into IT training is leaving you feeling a little flat, we now have a refreshing alternative. Cutting-edge interactive learning has come of age, and can deliver state-of-the-art training to more than match the traditional colleges. There are now companies that have paired this with genuine 27/7 support, and created the ultimate IT training package.
* You wish to learn a new skill to get a job.
* You're in search of quality training that's thorough and doesn't miss anything out so you'll feel capable in your new job.
* Your chosen certification should get you short-listed for interview.
* You wish to find a provider that can offer you quality advice, effective training, support when you need it, and all at a reasonable price.
So where should you start? Assuming you're looking to maximise your employability factor, it's probably best to ignore Universities for this market sector. This may be questionable news for you to hear, but let me explain. Degrees tend to be too academic and not specific enough for today's IT jobs. You can prove this statement yourself, just look at any of the Jobsites and you'll see that the majority of employers are looking for commercial qualifications.
Where can I find training for commercial qualifications? Historically there are two routes:
One way is Boot Camps. These are mind bogglingly intensive 10 to 14 week training sessions that are purely designed to pass qualifications. If you're sharp, good at learning and prepared to commit every waking hour to study, they will get you through, but the failure rate is high.
However, employers tend to view Boot Camp students as lesser mortals! This is because in the past they've found students from this form of training haven't enough understanding of their subject to handle the cross section of challenges in the work place.
These days, boot camps tend to be used by experienced IT professionals who use them to upgrade their skills, so the majority of your class mates will be way ahead of you and you will be hard pushed to keep up.
The second option has been the typical Distance Learning College, using study books, the odd CD, reference manuals and visits to a classroom at various times throughout the course. With commitment and grit, it is possible to succeed, but you'll be in the minority. Most of these providers couldn't make a profit if large numbers of their students didn't drop out on the way.
What To Look For In IT Training Providers...
Judge for yourself whether you can learn from their training materials - insist on seeing a sample and take five minutes to go through it. If strangely there's some reason why you can't do this, our advice would be to walk away.
Take time to understand exactly how a company's support works. You'll need access to tutors at the times you intend to study, not a message system for a call back later in office hours, so please check. Use questions like 'It's 10pm Sunday night, I have a question, what will happen and when will I get my answer?'
Beware of companies who ask for money up-front for your exams as an all-in cost. You will be paying interest for something you could pay for later and they are hoping to keep the money if you don't take them all!
If this insight into IT training is leaving you feeling a little flat, we now have a refreshing alternative. Cutting-edge interactive learning has come of age, and can deliver state-of-the-art training to more than match the traditional colleges. There are now companies that have paired this with genuine 27/7 support, and created the ultimate IT training package.
About the Author:
With 3 Decades experience, author Scott Edwards, campaigns for low-cost, superior multimedia UK education. To investigate IT Training Providers, visit LearningLolly Computer Courses.