Certified Classroom based course/s needed urgently Midlands/ West UK

[MkII]

Hi

 

I want to get some certification to back up my skills. I have some funding available if I can get on classroom based course... of up to £1500 including travel, etc.

 

I live on the east side of mid wales, near Shrewsbury/ Telford.

 

Does anyone know of anywhere?

Thanks

[Kitkatninja]

What do you mean, when you say classroom based? Actual physical "sit in front" of the lecturer or would a more virtual learning environment do?

 

What type of skills do you want to backup?

 

What type of certification are you aiming for?

 

Have you checked out your local colleges? Or even your Uni's (like the Open U)? What about an apprenticeship? Which combines work based assessment with courses for the technical cert.

[MkII]

Hi wagnerk

 

I've been a system admin of a Windows AD Domain and it's qualifications in that that I want. I have access to a grant which specifies short term, classroom based courses. I've yet to test the water and see how strict that is, but I'm lead to believe it's not going to stray from that much.

 

I'm looking at MSCE 2012 Server. My local colleges don't do professional IT support courses at all. The OU is out as distance learning isn't allowed. An apprenticeship is out as this needs to be very short term. I have 6 months to spend the grant.

 

If I cant get the MSCE I'll do that anyway by buying the books and booking into the exams. I'd really like to make this £1500 count and get some sort of certification in the short term if that's possible.

[FN-GM]

We use QA for our courses. They are all over the country. Probably one be near you.

[plexer]

I did my MCITP:SA with Firebrand and Wyboston they have a few other locations in the UK and you are on-site for the whole course, you would have to negotiate hard with them though.

 

Ben

[MkII]

I see what you mean about negotiating hard plexer! I'd probably have to supplement that.

 

"TheKnowledgeAcademy" do 10 day courses (no accommodation or meals I presume) for less than a third of that price. Do you think Firebrand are worth the extra?

[plexer]

What course from TheKnowledgeAcademy are you looking at? looks like course availability varies by site as well? although I note there is one near me.

 

For me I found the Firebrand setup excellent and had a firstclass instructor which also makes a difference.

 

Ben

[Kitkatninja]

I've used Neos-IT before, they are pretty good

 

Doing the MCSE within 6 month, even with experience is going to be very hard. Maybe a more pragmatic view would be to aim for the MCSA within 6 month?

[MkII]

I'm looking at Server 2012 Infrastructure. All courses are 10 days I think.

 

Yes it seems to be a short space of time, but the limit for the funding is pretty strict. I just need to make the best use of it :/

 

I did look at the Neos-IT courses - I think you linked them before wagnerk. I've done similar in the past and found those great. The aim this time is certification... as meaningful as possible in the timeframe allowed.

Edited April 20, 2014 by MkII

[Leeoakley]

What grant is it Mark? Do you have a link.

 

If we cant help, we might be able to point you in the right direction, so you get the most for your grant

 

 

 

Lee

Edited April 23, 2014 by Leeoakley

[MkII]

It's ReActII Lee

 

Welsh Government | Redundancy Action Scheme (ReAct II)

 

http://www.careerchangewales.co.uk/react-funding.html

 

http://www.careerchangewales.co.uk/react-funding-workforce-development-programme/react-faq.html

 

FireBrand knew all about it and had used it with a lot of candidates.

[Leeoakley]

Yeah they all will be aware of it. the trick will be getting the most bang for your £1500.

 

Do you know what exams you are looking to pass.

Edited April 24, 2014 by Leeoakley

[MkII]

I was looking at an MSCA or maybe an MCITP

 

Some companies seem to offer them at £500-600. Others £1500 for one.

 

I also need the courses to be full ti,e and not part time

Edited April 25, 2014 by MkII

[Leeoakley]

Mark,

 

It will be tight on getting you all the MCSA courses for £1500. would it be worth looking at "other" type of qualifications as well.

 

It sounds like you tech skills are solid as you mentioned you could self study for these.

 

There are other vendor specific qualifications: CCNA, VCP etc, As well as management qualifications PRINCE2, ITIL etc.

 

 

Just a thought!

 

Lee

[pantscat]

We use QA for our courses. They are all over the country. Probably one be near you.

 

QA are very good - have a chat with them, explain the situation - they might be able to do you a deal depending upon how busy and subscribed they are.

[MkII]

Thanks guys. I've done foundation ITIL. I'm looking to go self employed, hopefully win some primary school contracts and would like to back that up with some letters by my name. Other plans are Small Business support... local cloud backup with tag on services.

[Leeoakley]

If you are starting up a business you might also be able to access a business start up grant.

 

Have a look at your local councils website. If your not sure or cant find it let me know and i will have a look for you.

[MkII]

Thanks very much Lee. I'm in the amazing position of having spare cash for once. The business course I was on last week was full of advice for grants etc.. I don't need one as none of my ideas involve any kind of investment. I wish I did have an idea to be honest then I could make it all work for me rather than fritter away! lol.