Training Courses advice needed.

[sigma]

My school has offered to pay for an online training course that I can complete during my working hours - from Udemy for example. This will be my first technical training in 16 years. As I am only part-time, I will only get the part-time fraction of training that my full time colleagues will get.

 

I currently support, Server 2008, 20012, 2016 and shortly 2019. Win 7,10, 8.1 and 10. Anti-virus and WSUS.

 

I have been asked what area of training I would be interested in. I have no idea what to ask for. I don't know what I don't know, so am bothered I will either end up covering things I know, or I will get something too advanced and end up not following it - if it assumes a level of knowledge I don't have. I probably won't get any more training for another 4 years, so I don't want to waste this opportunity.

 

I don't know if I would be best to stick to fundamentals such as Server 2019 or more specialist such as SCCM.

 

Any advice would be welcome.

[LTurner3692]

Probably stick to the fundamentals! once you have that you should start working the rest out from there

[ians]

Coincidentally, Ive been looking at online training options re Windows 2016 Server. At the time of writing, Udemy have another 4-5 hours of 'sale', with many courses that were c £200 recently (I was looking a while) now only < £20.

 

Alternative, and I imagine upmarket, to Udemy are official Microsoft Training Providers such as Learning Tree and QA Training which both offer in-person training and, more recently, an online version of their courses with real-person support, which you don't get so much of at Udemy, etc.

 

My needs are likely very different to yours but I have been looking at courses that relate to specific Microsoft exams/qualifications. In case you are not already familiar with the Server 2016 ones (to the best of my, inexperienced, knowledge) for a less-advanced professional are 'Installation, Storage, and Compute with Windows Server 2016', Exam 70-740; Networking with Windows Server 2016, Exam 70-741 and Identity with Windows Server 2016, Exam 70-742. Passing these exams leads to a qualification - Microsoft Certified Solutions Associate (MCSA).

 

If your employer depends upon your knowledge, skills and understanding then they will benefit from you having the best training. In my view, that is likely to be from an in-person course such as Learning Tree provide. When they discover it is c £2,000 for 5 days they may change their mind. It's still true, though. Professional development is as important as hardware and software. The online equivalent courses seem to be about £600, allowing you three months to cover the same material with access to an online tutor.

 

If you read this in time - buy a couple of the Udemy courses for yourself at the 90% off rate. (If anyone has worked out when these offers are timed, please let the rest of us know!).

 

Here are some links from windows I happen to have open still, in case they help:

 

Complete Windows Server Certification Guide: MTA, MCSA and MCSE

https://blogs.technet.microsoft.com/uktechnet/2017/06/30/complete-windows-server-certification-guide-mta-mcsa-and-mcse/

 

Installation, Storage and Compute with Windows Server 2016 (20740) from Learning Tree, in-person or online

https://www.learningtree.co.uk/courses/8401/windows-server-training/

 

Microsoft MOC On-Demand courses from QA

https://www.qa.com/training-courses/technical-it-training/microsoft/microsoft-on-demand

 

All Microsoft Certification exams

https://www.microsoft.com/en-us/learning/exam-list.aspx

 

These are the Udemy courses that I was looking at - I cannot say if they are any good as I haven't signed up. At the time of writing they are all reduced from c £200 to less than £20 and, as I recall, they really were £200 recently. Of course, maybe I was completely naive to even consider them at that price!

 

Installation Storage & Compute with Windows Server 2016 IT certification course (aimed at Microsoft 70-740)

https://www.udemy.com/microsoft-70-740-install-storage-compute-w-server-2016/

 

Server 2016 Exam Prep: 70-740 -Installation and Storage (just practice tests)

https://www.udemy.com/server-2016-exam-prep-70-740-installation-and-storage-n/

 

Active Directory with Windows Server 2016: The Total Course

https://www.udemy.com/active-directory-with-windows-server-2016-the-total-course/

 

Microsoft Windows Server 2016 Certification (70-741)

https://www.udemy.com/microsoft-windows-server-2016-beginner-to-expert/

 

MCSA Windows Server 2016 (70-740) Course

https://www.udemy.com/mcsa-windows-server-2016-70-740-course/

 

I hope this helps you but it would be better still, for me, if someone with more experience could chip in.

 

Cheers

 

Ian

[ians]

My apologies for my lateness. The Udemy offer appears to be over. I added 4 courses to my basket but, (only after) I logged in they reverted to full price. I cancelled them. The update only happened after I logged in though. :-(

[Ditto]

Following the Udeny links gives me a price of £10.99, but requires sign up in 6 hours. That puts me right off. It also appears you get no more than a certificate of completion. The real MS exam will be quite an additional expense. Have you looked to see if any local colleges offer training. In the past I've done evening courses that include the exam, but it was Oracle not MS, but maybe worth a look. Edited April 15, 2019 by Ditto