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Don't
Take a training class until you read this! –
10 Things
you should know about IT Training
In the
bid to acquire skills and knowledge in today’s information
age, many are turning to IT Training. For many individuals
and organizations, the need for training has never been greater.
This hunger for IT training is driven by the rapid rate of
change in all spheres of life that are now affected by information
technology. Individuals and organizations are making efforts
to keep pace with the "latest" technical advancements.
IT Training
is required both by users and professionals. To remain relevant,
you have to be equipped with knowledge and tools required
by the digital age. And training is a route followed by many.
From time to time, you will have to take important decisions
regarding training. Training is often your opportunity to
proactively move your IT career forward. How should you do
your groundwork? An informed decision is the key to getting
training right. You can start by taking a look at ten things
you must know about IT Training.
1. IT
Training focuses on both the theory and practice of IT –the
acquisition of skills and knowledge. It is therefore an activity
that seeks to fill skills and knowledge gaps. What is lacking?
Are you at zero level? Then the training you need is one that
will make you computer literate. If you are an IT professional
your need might be for IT certification. Before embarking
on training you must know what your training needs are. What
gap needs to be filled? Is the training need for an organization
or an individual? What is your desired career path and specialization?
What do you need to know? Are you sure training will close
the gap? Set your training objectives carefully. The purpose
of your training should be well defined.
2. To
acquire practical IT skills and knowledge, the best training
approach is that which uses the “See it, Hear it, Do
it.” Concept, i.e. interactive and participative. You
see it been done. You listen to concepts and ideas and then
you do it yourself. “What you need to know how to do,
you learn by doing.” Training must combine the right
blend of theory and practice.
3. The
quality of training varies widely. It is critical that you
choose your training provider based on substance. A training
center is assessed with respect to quality of materials, competence
of trainers, degree of instructor support, training skills
of trainers, corporate IT focus, counseling facilities, track
record, quality of facilities and other quality related issues.
You should be able to gain from the real world experience
of the trainers.
4. The
focus of IT training should be on effective learning by students.
Has the gap been filled? What can the learner do now that
he or she couldn’t do previously? The training outcome
is key. Are the skills and knowledge acquired relevant and
adequate? What is the value of training you have received?
The outcome should be such that you must not only learn, but
you must also be able to apply your learning for yourself.
5. Certification
and awards of diplomas are important training outcomes most
especially where there is a lot of emphasis on paper qualifications.
But the primary focus of IT training should be the acquisition
of practical skills and knowledge; the award of certificates
or diplomas is secondary. Paper certification will not get
you anywhere in IT. Training should give you a form of certification
(diploma, certificate, etc), as well as practical skills and
knowledge. Training is not only about immersing yourself in
knowledge, it’s also about creating opportunities for
yourself.
6. If
you want to build a career in IT and you have a degree or
certification without practical skills, training is essential
for you. You need to acquire these skills and knowledge to
advance your IT career. Cramming for tests and reading text
materials alone are not enough to establish your IT career.
7. Cost is a major issue in IT training. To many it is a deciding
factor. But price should not be your sole determinant for
choosing training or a training institution. Always do a proper
cost benefit analysis before deciding if the cost will give
you value. How do you value the investment? Tie this to your
training needs. Think not only of your immediate costs but
also of present and future opportunities. It is reckless to
choose an inferior training solution to save money. On the
other hand high cost does not indicate high quality.
8. All the best instructors, world-class facilities cannot
learn for you. You must be prepared to make the effort to
learn. Learning involves more than routine attendance of lectures.
Your primary role is to learn. With a good training setup,
there is no mystery to learning. You simply have to be committed.
Lack of commitment is a major problem. This often arises due
to poor planning and or insufficient motivation. Each day
after training, do you go over concepts you’ve been
taught? Do you practice on your own? Or is your learning reserved
for the classroom only? You paid your course fees in full
two weeks before the course started, but where is your commitment
if you are frequently absent or late for training sessions?
Make sure you are dedicated to learning before you start.
It might seem funny or weird, but I’ve met students
who just want to pay training fees and collect certificates.
They’re simply not ready to go through the “stress”
of training classes or exercises! Talk about a misplacement
of priorities! You either want to learn or you don’t
want to. Period! If you want to learn, get with the program
and work on getting the most out of your training program.
Let your career ambitions keep you motivated during times
of self-doubt and stress. You must be ready to the effort
to learn and to apply what you have learnt. If you don’t
make the effort you are burning, not just throwing away, good
time and money.
9. You need to consider some important factors when choosing
the right learning solution. What is your skill and motivation
level? Consider financial constraints and available study
time. Each of these important pieces should be used in determining
the right training model for you. Instructor-led IT training
seems to achieve more for students than other training options,
most particularly when there is a focus on in-depth hands-on
exercises. Instructor-led training is regarded as the most
effective means of acquiring IT skills and knowledge. You
must however be prepared to learn at the pace of your training
institution. However, if you already have some practical skills
and or you cannot make time to attend instructor-led training,
a wide variety of learning options is available to you.
These include self-study such as books, practice tests, computer
based training
and Web / Online learning (http://www.jidaw.com/article5.html
) A blend of self-paced learning and classroom learning might
be what you need.
10. Most IT Training focuses on the acquisition of IT skills
and knowledge. However, if you want to build a career in IT,
there are more issues at play than technical skills and knowledge
alone. You also need soft skills (presentation, communications,
marketing, project management, etc) to enhance your value.
Your tech skills and training decisions are important, but
if you can’t market yourself, getting ahead will be
an uphill task. Furthermore, attitude is important in the
real world. Attitude will determine your altitude. Issues
like professionalism are important. Do you practice in an
ethical manner? IT Training is a career advancement tool.
You don’t train just for the sake of training. As an
IT professional you need to develop professional skills and
know how training fits into your career plan.
I have
looked at some issues you must consider as you embark on IT
Training. In this ever-changing world fueled by Information
and communications technologies, training is not optional.
Taking informed decisions is the key. Learning to manage these
decisions is a worthwhile and essential skill. The time and
effort commitment involved with training could be intimidating.
But don’t let that prevent you from achieving your goals.
Investing in your education, investing in yourself is the
best investment you can ever make.
Stay on
track by making wise training decisions.
All the
best in your IT Career!
Jide Awe
Jide Awe is the Managing Director of Jidaw Systems Limited
(MASTERCOMPUTERS), an IT Training and Certification provider
that focuses on building IT Careers and publishes http://www.jidaw.com,
an IT Career portal.
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