I come from a background in teaching MS Office (since 1995) but for the last 7 years have had contracts with specialist systems and software. My current client and their customers have entirely filled my diary for 5 years but now things are slowing down and I am looking for new business. During the last 5 years I have developed some great new on-the-job experience . My question is whether an IT training qualification is necessary now and if so, which one?
I was previously a member of the IITT which at that time required a TAP qualification. Since then the IITT seems to have expanded its influence and dumped TAP in favour of NCS qualifications. However my (perhaps false?) perception is that the IITT still hasn't achieved the status of the industry de facto standard and, to be honest, I am put off joining them because of how they represent themselves: Their website has improved in 5 years but their clipart crest is as awful as ever. No critisism of IITT members intended; perhaps I should be pleased that none of the membership fee goes into the pockets of graphic designers.
An MCT qualification might make sense in seducing customers requiring Office training but would this be less useful for other software?
Without a good income I am juggling time and money spent getting qualifications against looking for work. What would you consider to be the best or most worthwhile qualification(s) for IT trainers in terms of requirements for contracts?
2 Responses
qualifications = work?
Hi, qualifications rarely make the work – but they are a door pass for many organisations (esp in the freelance market)
most people hire on experience and references/ testimonials.. its a tough one – dont expect any qualification to ‘get’ you work, but do be expected to be rejected because you don’t have the "right" one!
Stick with the Training Foundation
Personally, when I was freelancing (up until 2.5 years ago), I found the TAP qualifications brought me a lot of work, especially in the area of training bespoke systems. Indeed it was my TAP qualifications that landed me my current position.
When IITT decided to ‘dump’ TAP, along with other members, I was confused if not a little annoyed, having been a fully paid up IITT member for many years.
I decided to stick with the TAP method, as it was one I fully believed in (and I personally believe that the IITT are following a watered down route). Having carefully watched the job market, since this time my personal experience is that the number of jobs that require you to be TAP qualified still far outway any other qualification with regards to training non-microsoft systems.
I hope this helps
Sarah