As the economy tightens, companies are always looking for ways to get the most out of their training dollars. Besides the financial outlay, there is also the time factor. The bottom line comes down to trying to get the most from IT training. One way in which you can do this is by doing your due diligence when it comes to technical training.
Due diligence begins with asking the right questions to ensure you are getting the most from your money and time. Below I have listed a few things to look at before you purchase your training.
1. What types of training are available from the manufacture of the software or hardware? Some companies have direct courseware and trainers for their products. Take for example Microsoft and Cisco. Both have certified trainers and certified courseware for all of their products.
2. Is the course I am looking at right for me? Go out to the website and look at the outline and see exactly what is covered in the training. Make sure the outline covers the topics that would really help you now and in the future.
3. What type of courseware is being used? The two types of material used are official curriculum from the manufacture and 3rd party. For the most part, official curriculum is the choice but some manufactures prefer to outsource their curriculum to 3rd party developers.
4. What are the qualifications of the trainer? Are they certified for the class and are the certified by the vendor. What experience does the trainer have with the product? An example would be an MCT (Microsoft Certified Trainer); this is someone who has been certified to deliver MOC (Microsoft Official Curriculum).
As you can see, choosing the right training is an important decision. By following a few guidelines you can ensure your time and money are both spent well.
If you have any questions about your training, please feel free to contact me or your sales rep.