I remember when you had to know the “C” programming language in order to find a job and before that it was “Cobol”. Let’s talk about operating system an I.T. professional needed to know a main frame operating system such as “MVS”, then it was UNIX, after that it was Novell because of client server architecture, and now Windows Server 2008. In the past it was important to be trained so you could get the next big job, however, in today’s market you must be trained to keep your job. Managers want more from I.T. personnel with fewer resources.

Job Retention

In our current economic downturn, job retention is everyone’s number one concern. Place yourself in the I.T. manager’s position.  Consider that you have two employees with equal performance and qualifications, however, one has been taking training classes on a new technology that maybe beneficial to the company. Which employee do you give a bigger bonus? Which employee gets the new position? Which employee do you keep? Please remember the assertion that I made at the beginning, “two employees with equal performance and qualifications” now which would one do you choose?

Certifications

Ask anyone in personnel about hiring and they will tell you that having the proper qualifications is the first hurdle in the hiring process. I am sure there are many I.T. professionals who are qualified, but it just so happens that you did not get the certification. I say this to the qualified but not certified IT professional, how do you get past the personnel officer? I have met many people that were certified but not qualified, but were allowed to interview.  Experience, Degrees, and certification are necessary credentials for the upwardly bound IT person. With experience, a degree, and certifications you can apply anywhere.

Where to get trained

As an educator I believe that students will have a better learning experience when a professional instructor is leading the class. College instructors are better in dealing with varying learning styles of the students. College instructors are trained to motivate and cultivate thinking. Too many times I have found an I.T. expert unable to relate to the students for a variety of reasons.  Being an IT expert does not make you an I.T. training expert. Training is a skill that has to be learned by experiencing multiple students and deciding how to express a topic in such a way that they will understand.

Instructors: Experience, Degrees, and Certifications

Equipment: Age

If you are a fast learner and have a wide degree of experience then you should be looking at the seminar type classes, however if the material is new you should consider a semester long course.