Would doing a training course help get a contract?

[jambuie]

I've been on the bench for 8 months (first 4-5 out of choice) and the market is pretty dead for my particular skills - Oracle Warehouse Builder, Oracle Discoverer, PL/SQL, etc. Oracle are also now pushing the BI tools they aquired from various sources (OBIEE) in place of OWB and Discoverer so the market for my skills is shrinking.

Is it worth doing a course in OBIEE? Would any client contract me based on a one week course? Most job ads ask for 5+ years experience, and having been on the other side as a permie interviewing contractors, I would have never considered contracting someone on the basis of a training course. Anyone else here got any input? Should I offer to lower my daily rate in exchange for a probationary period?

[SueEllen]

In general when the market isn't good doing a course is a waste of money. That's because there are either people out of work or quickly available with the skills, plus clients tend to be more fussy and won't settle for less than what they want.

That said if you can go anywhere in the world then you may find doing the course will lead to a contract.

I'm currently in a contract with a skill I last used 10 years ago. I did a course earlier this year to update them. The client is fully aware of all this.

[Fred Bloggs]

I think really, you answered your own question. Good luck finding a new role.

[pmeswani]

I've been on the bench for 8 months (first 4-5 out of choice) and the market is pretty dead for my particular skills - Oracle Warehouse Builder, Oracle Discoverer, PL/SQL, etc. Oracle are also now pushing the BI tools they aquired from various sources (OBIEE) in place of OWB and Discoverer so the market for my skills is shrinking.

Is it worth doing a course in OBIEE? Would any client contract me based on a one week course? Most job ads ask for 5+ years experience, and having been on the other side as a permie interviewing contractors, I would have never considered contracting someone on the basis of a training course. Anyone else here got any input? Should I offer to lower my daily rate in exchange for a probationary period?

I did a Certified Ethical Hacking course 5 years ago in hope it would lead me to a Pen Testing role. I didn't get any Pen Testing Role based on the course, so it was a waste of money (in the sense it didn't get me a role I wanted) that could have been spent on something better. But at the same time, it gave me an awareness that was much needed.

You could spend the money and put it down to personal development, but you need to ascertain what relevance it would give you over a given timeframe.

[nomadd]

I'm currently in a contract with a skill I last used 10 years ago. I did a course earlier this year to update them. The client is fully aware of all this.

But didn't you say in an earlier thread that you'd never go back to hairdressing?

To the OP: Forget the courses. Just buy some books instead. There's tons of Oracle work out there, so scan jobserve to find out what you need to steer your skillset towards in the Oracle world. One thing I would say - if you really do want to spend a little money - is maybe do some of the certification exams. Got my current role on the back of Oracle certifications, even though they were for a completely different product (and I actually pointed this out to the PM at the interview...) I've been doing the "buy some books and read" approach for Oracle products for over 20 years now; never let me down.

[lukemg]

Might not be applicable in this case but for a number of roles in my area posession of a cert is used to do an initial filter of applicants.
Quite simply, you may not be considered if you can't tick that box.
In that case, the cert is important even if the training and knowledge it gives you is only a minor help to do the job.
Sad - but that's how it works for some stuff.
So - I would probably only do a course/cert where I know this is stopping me being considered for roles that I know I can do.

[yorkshireman]

I agree that training isn't a magic answer. Updating your profile on LinkedIn and working your network may be better route to finding your next contract.

Having said that I did my PRINCE2 and "Managing Successful Programmes" practitioner courses while on the bench. I suspect that you can negotiate a serious discount in the current market too.

[theroyale]

I asked the same question on this forum a couple of months ago - replies largely tended towards "it helps to have it on your CV". Personally speaking I don't see how having "Microsoft Certified" or "Sun Certified" would be anything but a good thing on your CV. And definitely at the agent stage.