Re-training, new skills, contract perspective

[evilagent]

Have you ever undergone retraining? (edit: at your own expense)
What kind of retraining would you consider at the moment? (personally, I am drawn to Sharepoint)

As contractors, we're expected to be experienced and bring productivity from day one, but have you been able to get contracts after having undergone retraining? (but little experience)

Do you feel your markets are buoyant at the moment?

In an ideal world, what would you retrain to?

[cojak]

Have you ever undergone retraining?
What kind of retraining would you consider at the moment? (personally, I am drawn to Sharepoint)

As contractors, we're expected to be experienced and bring productivity from day one, but have you been able to get contracts after having undergone retraining? (but little experience)

Do you feel your markets are buoyant at the moment?

In an ideal world, what would you retrain to?

Yes, I walked into a contract that I wanted 1 month after I attended the course, but that was because I was picked up by the Programme Manager who attended the course with me and could see how I worked.

I would normally expect to change/modify my contract role 18 - 24 months after I decide to change course (all roles are based on my core BA skills).

[Troll]

Is it just me that thinks sharepoint is a pile of poo?

[SimonMac]

Is it just me that thinks sharepoint is a pile of poo?

Clients love sharepoint, most techies hate it

[northernladuk]

Yes, I walked into a contract that I wanted 1 month after I attended the course, but that was because I was picked up by the Programme Manager who attended the course with me and could see how I worked.

I tend never to contact anyone I tupped at a course ever again let alone take them on. Brave man.

[cojak]

She wasn't my type...

[BolshieBastard]

Years ago when the market was great ie 1 contractor for every 5 or so vacancies, I spent a grand on a 3 day WinRunner course.

I then contacted agents about automation roles and bigged up my new skill. Every agent said no good if you havent got on the job experience (this was when there were plenty of jobs about, remember). Despite banging on about it I never got a winrunner job so the grand was wasted. Wont make that mistake again.

IMO like everything in life, you could go on training courses and fall lucky. I did get a role out of some on the course but it wasnt really the one I wanted.

Personally, I wouldnt pay to go on a training course ever again (well I very much doubt it) and as the market is the way it is, am more convinced clients wont touch you if you've only been on a course and have no on the job experience.

[bless 'em all]

Is it just me that thinks sharepoint is a pile of poo?

It is. And expensive to buy/maintain.

The sharepoint 'administrator' at client co also found out it's expensive to recover files/entire directories from last year the he deleted 'to make some room'. The files/folders contained test evidence that the contract states has to be kept for 7 years.

Ouch.

[evilagent]

hi BB,

The dilemma of being a contractor, and therefore not really getting a chance to be hired for a new skill, was pretty much the thrust of my opening questions.

So, you become expert in one field, and get work in newer releases of the software or product you use, but it can be restrictive. Unless you pick your product well.

I was wondering how the more experienced contractors dealt with times in the past when their skills became dated, and needed to re-skill.

PS: I think I may be too focussed on technical skills, rather than managerial skills (Prince, ITIL, etc). But, please, any insights on either would be good.

[ChimpMaster]

hi BB,

The dilemma of being a contractor, and therefore not really getting a chance to be hired for a new skill, was pretty much the thrust of my opening questions.

So, you become expert in one field, and get work in newer releases of the software or product you use, but it can be restrictive. Unless you pick your product well.

I was wondering how the more experienced contractors dealt with times in the past when their skills became dated, and needed to re-skill.

PS: I think I may be too focussed on technical skills, rather than managerial skills (Prince, ITIL, etc). But, please, any insights on either would be good.

I've been asking this question of myself for years now, but have found myself riding a wave to the shore. I'll deal with the eventuality of having to re-skill when I have to, but most likely I'll go perm for a while - a couple of years perhaps - to pick up new skills and then consider contracting again.

Personally I'm of the type who likes to know his stuff before going independent, rather than just winging it, and it takes a while to gain that level of experience in any new technology. Professionally, if you're selling a skill then you should be good at it, not learning on the job (Bob).