What next - training reqd

[sallys1305]

Help pls ...... following a meeting last week with new Headteacher I find that it might be wise to get some training which would prove I can do what I've been doing for last 5 yrs in case I need to move employment ..... I have no formal qualifications - all learnt whilst fixing things any advice gratefully received - general role atm involves a windows network 5 x server 2008 r2, exchange, google domain, website management, iPads, plus day to day 'emergencies' in a primary school 650 pupils 50+ staff .......

[themightymrp]

Might be easiest to get yourself on the MCSA track for Server 2008 R2 or Server 2012. Its only 3 exams to get the qualification and you will pick up the MCP after the first exam

[Kitkatninja]

There's a wide variety of qualification that you can do...

 

Further Education:

BTEC Advanced Diploma in IT Network Design & Administration Level 3

BTEC Award in Computer Engineering

 

Higher Education:

OU Open Degree

CertHE/DipHE/BSc in Computing/IT

BA (Hons) Learning Technology and Research

 

Professional Registration:

ICTTech Mark

 

Vendor Agnostic

Comptia A+, Network+, Server+, Security+, Project+

 

Vendor Specific

Microsoft Technology Associate

Microsoft Certified Solutions Associate

 

Methodology

FITS

ITIL

MOF

Prince2

 

It all depends on how much time and money you want to invest in your training/education...

[Leeoakley]

I don't think you can go far wrong with the Microsoft qualifications to start with. Realistically, from a CV perspective, you would ideally want to eventually have a mix of "management" and "tech" qualifications.

 

If you're going to put a proposal together, you should look at putting forward a 2-3 year plan for your head. Couple of reasons for this; it will show that you are planning your development for a long term stay at the school (never a bad thing if they are investing in you), as well as potentially helping to securing future training budgets for the next 2-3 years.

 

If you want any help putting something together drop me a message, I've done loads of these over the years

[mshort]

I'm in a similar boat at the moment, although I've recently became a Network Manager in November and I'm looking to back it up with some more recent certifications than the ones I have currently.

 

From what I've been looking at, good ones at the moment seem to be:

 

New Office 365 MCSA

ITIL

PRINCE2

 

I started off with Level 3 BTEC and NVQ, plus the CompTIA A+ which served me well for a while. You can't go wrong with Microsoft certs, as these are always recognised when a possible employers sees them on your CV. Not having a degree doesn't seem to be a deal breaker any more like it used to be!

[Norphy]

Don't solely concentrate on technical training. While the MCSA/MCSE courses are a good technical foundation, the technical side of things is not the only aspect of being an NM. Try putting in for an ITIL course and maybe some formal management or project management training.