Reply to: Get your training in now

[denver2k]

I have been in development/analyst roles(contract+perm) for a while. I have no PM experience,but have been part of different sorts of Projects in different roles and have observed both good and bad Project management(i.e. I have good understanding but no experience of management at all). Now, I would like to break into Junior PM or BA/PM sort of roles.

Would this Prince2 course(certification) be handy for me ?

I have started reading (Project Management for Dummies) and that seem quite interesting and straight forward to me.

I just need to know shall we suppose to get experience first and then certification or is it the other way around?

I know, in this doom and gloom its nearly impossible for a non experienced person but Im in no rush. Im just planning to get myself prepared first and then try when things start picking up....

[zara_backdog]

Absolute rubbish! You're wasting your money. I dont know any client who accept training courses as a qualification for a role. What they want to see is 12 months commercial experience using the skill \ application.

Qualification and training is only worthwhile if doing it on the job at the client site.

I have several years PM & BA experiance and got fed up of beeing passed over by pimps becasue I had not got a piece of paper. Not saying it will improve my skills but just backs then up.

Anyway - I think the point of the thread was if your benched and have the spare dosh - do some trainng - prices are much cheeper at the moment.

[zara_backdog]

I've seen their site before.

I do recall someone saying he had a course available that he couldn't attend, but that wasn't long ago was it? It took the better part of 3 months to get the Practitioner results when I did the exam, I was wondering how long it took for your result with the new exam format.

2 weeks - sent an email first of all - waiting for the cert.

[cojak]

Of all the contractors I've worked with in over 10 years (and that's a lot), not one, including myself, have secured contracts as a result of having completed a training course. I know contractors who've spent over £5k on different courses and not picked up roles that required that particular skill.

I'd say you were fortunate or demand exceeded supply in your circumstances. When the market is how it is now, virtually every client will look for 'commercial' experience on the cv rather than 'attended training course xyz.'

Footnote, Im not talking exams here as clients view those differently to training courses.

Fair do's - I only take courses that have an exam at the end of it, although I'm breaking my own rule next month when I attend a Benefits Management course - it is the Benefits Management course at Cranfield, however so I'm hoping the exception proves the rule...

[BolshieBastard]

So I'll ignore the contracts that I got as a direct result of the courses/exams I've got on my CV then...

Of all the contractors I've worked with in over 10 years (and that's a lot), not one, including myself, have secured contracts as a result of having completed a training course. I know contractors who've spent over £5k on different courses and not picked up roles that required that particular skill.

I'd say you were fortunate or demand exceeded supply in your circumstances. When the market is how it is now, virtually every client will look for 'commercial' experience on the cv rather than 'attended training course xyz.'

Footnote, Im not talking exams here as clients view those differently to training courses.

[s2budd]

I second this. Three times now I have taken a course after finishing one contract and then walked strait into another contract using the skill set that was covered on the course. Each time without an interview. I did have previous experience though of the subject matter though but it does make you wonder.

However I have been on a few courses during my six months on the bench and not a whisper. I suspect that the lack of available work may have something to do with it though.

[cojak]

Absolute rubbish! You're wasting your money. I dont know any client who accept training courses as a qualification for a role. What they want to see is 12 months commercial experience using the skill \ application.

Qualification and training is only worthwhile if doing it on the job at the client site.

So I'll ignore the contracts that I got as a direct result of the courses/exams I've got on my CV then...

[Cliphead]

Think I'll train as a painter & decorator, they're all booked up around here for months.

[BolshieBastard]

I spent the afternoon shopping around for a particular training course I want to do. I had previously researched this same course about nine months ago.

I found a lot of training companies have disappeared or been taken over. Also, the courses have got cheaper.

When I phoned to make a booking, I was immediately offered a discount!

So, if benched or threatened with the bench, it might be a good idea to spend some of your war chest now to improve your employability or increase your options.


(I eventually bought my way out of the 2001 downturn by spending the last of my tax account money on a PRINCE2 course - so it worked for me then. But it was a hell of a gamble. Your choice, your risk.)

Absolute rubbish! You're wasting your money. I dont know any client who accept training courses as a qualification for a role. What they want to see is 12 months commercial experience using the skill \ application.

Qualification and training is only worthwhile if doing it on the job at the client site.

[TykeMerc]

Brought the course from someone here - but it was organised thu these guys who booked it via a company called QA. They where doing the foundation and practitioner for 800 quid. well they got be though both with a decent grade too ( not that it matters but is nice to know). Looking to do ITIL and Sharepoint next.

Sarah Lee
Tel 01372 206030
Fax 01372 748092
www.trainingdeals.co.uk
All courses offered are through fully accredited training organisations.
First Floor,
Blenheim House,
1 Blenheim Road,
Epsom,
Surrey. KT19 9AP

I've seen their site before.

I do recall someone saying he had a course available that he couldn't attend, but that wasn't long ago was it? It took the better part of 3 months to get the Practitioner results when I did the exam, I was wondering how long it took for your result with the new exam format.

[zara_backdog]

When did you take your Practitioner exam and how long did it take for the result to arrive?

I took the old essay type exam and it took quite a while for the result several months in fact.

Industry recognised qualifications can be the critical tick in the box to get your CV past the Agent and HR filters, while they don't add value in themselves I've found them to be essential door openers. I'm considering doing the Managing Successful Programmes one while I have some time on my hands.

Brought the course from someone here - but it was organised thu these guys who booked it via a company called QA. They where doing the foundation and practitioner for 800 quid. well they got be though both with a decent grade too ( not that it matters but is nice to know). Looking to do ITIL and Sharepoint next.

Sarah Lee
Tel 01372 206030
Fax 01372 748092
www.trainingdeals.co.uk
All courses offered are through fully accredited training organisations.
First Floor,
Blenheim House,
1 Blenheim Road,
Epsom,
Surrey. KT19 9AP

[TykeMerc]

So who is a good course provider for Prince 2 then?

I did mine through WPM a few years ago, 12 on the course, all passed Foundation and all but one passed Practitioner. The Guy who failed was probably the second least likely to fail in my opinion, maybe he's one of the people that can't cope with exams.

I was happy with the price (negotiated), the hotel (Chester), the facilities and the instructor was excellent.

[MPwannadecentincome]

Have done just that and did the Prince2 stuff - and I am now a certified practitioner -

Seems to have generated a few more calls so I will see.

So who is a good course provider for Prince 2 then?

[Tingles]

If you're based in Yorks or Humber you can get 60% off training.....

Chamber of Commerce - enhancement fund....

I booked a BCS Green IT course - £1400 plus VAT - I'm paying £560 plus VAT.

Can't be bad.....


T

[TykeMerc]

Have done just that and did the Prince2 stuff - and I am now a certified practitioner -

Seems to have generated a few more calls so I will see.

When did you take your Practitioner exam and how long did it take for the result to arrive?

I took the old essay type exam and it took quite a while for the result several months in fact.

Industry recognised qualifications can be the critical tick in the box to get your CV past the Agent and HR filters, while they don't add value in themselves I've found them to be essential door openers. I'm considering doing the Managing Successful Programmes one while I have some time on my hands.