Recommended Certifications for ICT Network Manager (Schools)

[BFCIT]

Hi all,

 

Not sure if I am posting this in the correct place. I currently work as an ICT Systems Manager equivalent to (senior ICT technician) at a secondary school. I see my next role as the IT Network Manager of a school. I am educated to degree level in Computer Network Technology and have several years experience in my current role.

 

I am interested to learn what certifications current ICT Network Managers posses and what they think qualify as key certs to their roles. I understand that training should be performed in line with the schools requirements and any advancements that the school might make in the short and long term. The problem I currently have is that there appears to be so many different paths to choose from. At the moment the school ICT budget is small, we are not virtualised and I don't think we will be for some time. Therefore VMware/Citrix is not a priority of mine or the schools.

 

I am open to technical and non-technical courses that may advance my current skill set. I have a fond interest of wired/wireless networks, security and project management. As I am sure you understand, schools training budgets are not flush - therefore effective training at low cost would be most suited.

 

I look forward to any suggestions/advice.

 

Thank you.

[Ephelyon]

Have a word with Lee at NEOS IT Training about this offer:

 

NEOS IT Training Ltd

[kearton]

Your profile doesn't say where you are. See if your LA offers anything like this?

https://www.ict4c.co.uk/whats_new/day_1_naace_accredited_leadership_for_network_managers_and_it_technicians/?feed=2

[tmcd35]

I'd be interested in reading other NM's responses to this. For my part - I don't have any formal qualifications. I have a 3rd Class Honors Degree in Applied Computing (programming databases) and 3 years experience as a secondary school Tech/Senior Tech. Was lucky enough to walk into the perfect NM post 6 years ago and pretty much learnt on the job.

 

Given the pay, previous school IT experience tends to be the sole job requirement although it'd be nice if you have a degree as well. I've seen one or two posts go to people whove had second/third line network support roles in industry.

 

I'd say Network+ and a Microsoft server cert would put you ahead of most of the competition applying. The best thing to do is read the job descriptions of a few of the old NM posts that have been advertised in the jobs section here.

Edited January 21, 2015 by tmcd35

[pow]

I'd say experience counts far far more an any qualification, my current title is Network & Systems Manager and I don't have a degree - just 8 years experience. I do have a PRINCE2 PM qualification as I needed a step into managing people and I did a CCNA years and years ago but that's about it. Just A-Levels and Experience!

[tmcd35]

One thing I forgot to add - I think having a basic understanding of FITS/ITIL, not necessarily having the qualification, is essential to the role. From my experience the job is 90% people, budget, change, process management and 10% network management.

[Sagima]

I think the most useful to me being a manager is the basic itil stuff. I've actually sent the entire team on it as I think helps them understand why things are done in certain ways and gets them into good habits.

[foofighterjim]

I'm only educated to A-Level but as others have said experience counts for a whole lot in this line of work. I have worked in education ICT for 10 years now and can say, once you get to Network Manager positions it is more about: personnel management, ability to handle budgets, good organisational skills & so forth. You aren't expected to know everything but would be expected to know how to find out / learn.

[MrPstv]

From my 10 years experience from Tech support to Network Manager the below are requirements!

Good communication skills,

An approachable manner,

To be level headed,

Flexible approach to work (within limits)

 

Quote from tmcd35 "From my experience the job is 90% people, budget, change, process management and 10% network management"

Keep the people happy!!

Edited January 21, 2015 by MrPstv

[simpsonj]

First I'd heard of ITIL, and thank you for the the link to the NEOS training website, my appraisal is coming up and that looks like a perfect training requirement. I'd be interested to know which companies people have used to give them FITS/ITIL training?

[Sagima]

We've used a few - QA, AdvanceITSM and Adapt. They all seemed to be fine - we just went with whoever offered the cheapest and most convenient price and location each time.

[BFCIT]

Thank you for all of your responses. They are fantastic and provide a good starting point for me to advance further. I am based in greater manchester. Will defo be looking more into ITIL - I have looked at some of the material - it is a little dry but I can understand why it is so important for any environment using ICT.

[just_david]

I was going to start a new thread, but this here looks promising, as I'm after the same/similar thing but...

 

What would you recommend for some network and switch configuration training?

It's something I want to cover and something our department is lacking.

But the only qualification I can find is the CCNA, and we use precisely 0 pieces cisco kit ^^

[BFCIT]

We are in a similar position here David. Did the Cisco Net Academy at university but never got my CCNA - a lot of the networking information (subnetting etc) has been quite useful but in terms of switch configuration that is specific to Cisco's IOS I haven't used much of it. Perhaps worth looking at your current switch vendor to see if they provide any certification paths?

[CSE_AllanE]

If your working with Microsoft systems then hard to beat Microsoft Virtual Academy for free then can just pay to sit exams if you wish