Paying for training

[nice95gle]

I recently realized that my resume is just a cut and paste from position to position. I would love to learn a new technology but really don't have the funds needed to attend training. Because I am not up-to-date in the newer technologies I feel I am being over looked for jobs even though I have 13+ years IT experience. Being a consultant it's difficult (almost impossible) to get a job that is willing to train. My question is how can I learn a new tool without the funding to attend classes? I buy so many books but I really don't learn anything.

Thanks for any advice

 

[paterson]

Ever considered cutting your consulting fees? Someone might take a chance on you.

How about working with a non-profit group that may enable you to work on some of these skills. A few hours a week learning will also look good as a volunteer entry on your resume.


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My Biggest problem is that I almost always believe what I tell myself.

 

[IT4EVR]

In addition you may want to look at some User Groups in your area. They often like volunteers to help them out with various projects.

Also, it's a great place to network for employment.

 

[spamly]

Ever consider dropping the consultant title and working directly for a large company? The pay isn't typically as good, but they usually train internal employees as they bring in new technologies.

That's the route that I went.

 

[rosieb]

If you're working as an independent consultant, then it's really up to you to fund/organise your own training. You're a business, you should allocate time and budget for training - and charge accordingly.


Rosie
"Don't try to improve one thing by 100%, try to improve 100 things by 1%

 

[nice95gle]

Thanks everyone, I did decide to allocate some funds to the training I need. Hopefully I can recover the cost somewhere. Now I just have to figure out what I want to learn...but that's a whole other topic.

 

[mmorancbt]

I've been independent - for the most part - since 1995. In almost all cases I can get clients to pay for training. More so when it is closely aligned with what I already do.

That being said, I have only gone this route 2-3 times in 11 years. There is so much information online, good communities of users, and professional acquaintances - that I get my training in the heat of battle - as it were.

The real catch is getting some type of meaningful project as you learn. I've found that it is much easier to learn a new technology when you are applying it in a meaningful way. You begin to see the poosibilities and ask the right questions.

As suggested above, I may reduce my rate (very rarely) if I know of a company needing the technology I am learning. I make sure that the project is very limited in scope. If I am reducing my rate, I don't want to spend much time doing so.

Good luck!

Matthew Moran (career blog and podcast below)
Career Advice with Attitude for the IT Pro

http://blogs.ittoolbox.com/pm/career

http://techcareerconsult.blogspot.com