• Visitors can check out the Forum FAQ by clicking this link. You have to register before you can post: click the REGISTER link above to proceed. To start viewing messages, select the forum that you want to visit from the selection below. View our Forum Privacy Policy.
  • Want to receive the latest contracting news and advice straight to your inbox? Sign up to the ContractorUK newsletter here. Every sign up will also be entered into a draw to WIN £100 Amazon vouchers!

Training / Upskilling

Collapse
X
  •  
  • Filter
  • Time
  • Show
Clear All
new posts

    Training / Upskilling

    Hi,

    I've been working just under 1 yr as a contractor - basically a job I managed to get by fluke as I was struggling to get an interview in most places do to my previous experience being in a niche section of development which has left me out of touch with most modern techniques.

    I've managed to keep myself above water in this contract - it's at the lower end of contracting and I want to progress myself into a better contract in future or into a suitable perm role. However, for me to do this I need to broaden my CV and get some attractive skills on my CPD record - which I'm ashamed to say has been rather overlooked in recent years.

    I'm working in Java development at present but alongside this, I'd like to get into embedded work. My main goal though is to broaden my talents in order to give myself more opportunities without spreading myself too thin.

    What is the best way to go about this? I'm aware that I can get my company to pay for my training - also happy to pay for it outside of company if it is suitable for my needs. This is pretty much irrelevant to me

    Ideally, I'd want something that provides a qualification or a certificate, but content is king - accreditation is second on the list. I've been out of university for approx 18 years now so my main learning in the OOP is quite dated, although I'm comfortable with it in my new role.

    I'm not sure how to progress myself here. Essentially I've got little experience if mainstream software development and looking for a way to get the right knowledge to be able to confidently put down things on the CV without spoofing!

    What is the best way for me to go about upskilling as a contractor? I'm more looking for resources and distant learning suggestions as opposed to financing it as a contractor (although this info would be appreciated too).

    I've started by writing some small programs by myself at home in the evenings, but I'm attracted to the structure and focus of a course (with possible bonus of accreditation).



    Many thanks.

    #2
    There is upskilling and there is have demonstrable experience. You can get gigs with good experience and little qualifications but the converse isn't true. A client wants specialists for the money they pay and can bring value to the table. A few qualifications isn't that I'm afraid.

    You've made a classic mistake we see time and time again. You can't even pitch yourself lower to make yourself look attractive. You've got to look for badly paying gigs no one wants and sadly that isn't the case. There is often a reason a skilled guy might take a low gig.

    Sorry to be negative. There is a chance it could work but that's a bug gamble for you income.
    'CUK forum personality of 2011 - Winner - Yes really!!!!

    Comment


      #3
      Originally posted by Ted View Post
      Hi,

      I've been working just under 1 yr as a contractor - basically a job I managed to get by fluke as I was struggling to get an interview in most places do to my previous experience being in a niche section of development which has left me out of touch with most modern techniques.

      I've managed to keep myself above water in this contract - it's at the lower end of contracting and I want to progress myself into a better contract in future or into a suitable perm role. However, for me to do this I need to broaden my CV and get some attractive skills on my CPD record - which I'm ashamed to say has been rather overlooked in recent years.

      I'm working in Java development at present but alongside this, I'd like to get into embedded work. My main goal though is to broaden my talents in order to give myself more opportunities without spreading myself too thin.

      What is the best way to go about this? I'm aware that I can get my company to pay for my training - also happy to pay for it outside of company if it is suitable for my needs. This is pretty much irrelevant to me

      Ideally, I'd want something that provides a qualification or a certificate, but content is king - accreditation is second on the list. I've been out of university for approx 18 years now so my main learning in the OOP is quite dated, although I'm comfortable with it in my new role.

      I'm not sure how to progress myself here. Essentially I've got little experience if mainstream software development and looking for a way to get the right knowledge to be able to confidently put down things on the CV without spoofing!

      What is the best way for me to go about upskilling as a contractor? I'm more looking for resources and distant learning suggestions as opposed to financing it as a contractor (although this info would be appreciated too).

      I've started by writing some small programs by myself at home in the evenings, but I'm attracted to the structure and focus of a course (with possible bonus of accreditation).



      Many thanks.
      Blind luck.

      You get a gig with your main skill as their main requirement and the project has a lot more involvement of your secondary skill than originally anticipated. You build on this, get a new gig or extension at current client with primary focus on the secondary skill. A similar chance to finding rocking horse tulip on your lawn.

      Best option is to suck it up and go permie.
      The greatest trick the devil ever pulled was convincing the world that he didn't exist

      Comment


        #4
        I know nothing (about the specific technology being discussed) but I see no harm in keeping your skills current through one or two well chosen courses. I have often done courses where I've touched on the topic in a gig in order to add to my bulltulip bingo card.

        There is always scope for upskilling. A lot of the effort in getting a gig is about marketing yourself well. If a course is going to help that and you can demonstrate some use of whatever technology you've trained in then, while you might not get immediate ROI, I reckon it's still worth doing.

        You're a salesman now, don't forget. Good luck!

        Comment


          #5
          With only 18 months post-uni experience you need to go permanent.

          The reason to go permanent is to get the company to pay for the training for you even if it is on the job training, and so you can go up as high as possible in an organisation. (You can change your permanent job every 12-24 months to get where you want. )

          That way in 5 years time you will be earning a lot whether in a permanent post or as a contractor.

          Certificates in the area you are interested in aren't very useful particularly if you have a degree in a relevant subject, this is because lots of off-shore developers have them but don't have good creative and other skills that are required to be a good developer.
          Last edited by SueEllen; 17 January 2017, 12:53.
          "You’re just a bad memory who doesn’t know when to go away" JR

          Comment


            #6
            I reckon the perm route for you right now. Failing that and you live at home or can support yourself get involved in open source projects or start your own (though you will need money to do that). Get some experience by doing.

            Comment


              #7
              Originally posted by woohoo View Post
              I reckon the perm route for you right now. Failing that and you live at home or can support yourself get involved in open source projects or start your own (though you will need money to do that). Get some experience by doing.
              Or indeed as well as the perm role.

              Perm roles will give you a better progression plan and a better selection of paid-for training courses for you. Yes, you'll partly be doing the courses that they want you to do, but that's to make you a better professional longer term. Get as much training in as you can before you're 30 but given you've been out of uni 18 years, that's probably not an option.
              Last edited by LondonManc; 17 January 2017, 15:07.
              The greatest trick the devil ever pulled was convincing the world that he didn't exist

              Comment


                #8
                Originally posted by SueEllen View Post
                With only 18 months post-uni experience you need to go permanent.
                OP said years, not months, but your advice is bang on.

                Comment


                  #9
                  Originally posted by northernladuk View Post
                  There is upskilling and there is have demonstrable experience. You can get gigs with good experience and little qualifications but the converse isn't true. A client wants specialists for the money they pay and can bring value to the table. A few qualifications isn't that I'm afraid.

                  You've made a classic mistake we see time and time again. You can't even pitch yourself lower to make yourself look attractive. You've got to look for badly paying gigs no one wants and sadly that isn't the case. There is often a reason a skilled guy might take a low gig.

                  Sorry to be negative. There is a chance it could work but that's a bug gamble for you income.
                  There will be a lot more of those in the PS in a couple of months...

                  Comment


                    #10
                    Originally posted by SlipTheJab View Post
                    There will be a lot more of those in the PS in a couple of months...
                    Sadly they will probably want the same level of skills as before though.
                    'CUK forum personality of 2011 - Winner - Yes really!!!!

                    Comment

                    Working...
                    X