Chicago-based IT training company, TrainSignal, recently introduced a range of IT training courses via a global online training platform.
TrainSignal aims to fill the growing ICT skills gap, says TrainSignal founder and CEO, Scott Skinger. "The growing ICT skills shortage can really be traced back to one major factor: a lagging education system. This may seem overly simplistic, but the only remedy to a skills gap is a trained workforce that has ongoing support to minimise a future relapse."
Skinger sees online training as being especially useful when it comes to training those who are already employed, but looking to extend their skills. "Overall, e-learning is a more viable option for IT professionals over on-site or classroom learning formats. Our users have unlimited access to all of our hundreds of courses and training materials. On-site courses give you access to a small window of information on a very particular subject.
"The second advantage of online training is flexibility. Once an on-site course is over, the IT professional has no way of going back and reviewing those lectures. An online platform allows users to take the courses at their convenience, and to refer back to training materials anywhere, at any time."
According to a recent survey conducted by TrainSignal, almost 70% of IT professionals prefer online video training over traditional training methods. Part of this advantage is that "traditional brick-and-mortar institutions are slow to adapt to the pace of innovation, which is affecting their ability to quickly offer training on in-demand skills like cloud storage, big data and network management", says Skinger.
TrainSignal offers individual subscriptions for employees looking to further their own training, as well as multi-user subscriptions for businesses looking to invest in the further education of their employees. The time commitment, content and level of the courses varies, from simple short courses, to advanced certifications. Many of the courses aim to prepare students for official certification, although TrainSignal itself does not facilitate the examinations.
A huge number of IT professionals are self-motivated when it comes to training, says Skinger. "Our bread and butter is in helping aspiring or experienced IT professionals take training into their own hands by giving them affordable access to a vast library of the most current, effective training materials."
He offers an investment suggestion. "I'm often surprised by how many of our users come to us because their employers don't offer them the training they need to get the job done. Especially now, job descriptions of all kinds are changing often, requiring the constant acquisition of new knowledge. The companies that take this education process into their own hands will ultimately be the most successful."
Offering further education opportunities is the best way to hold on to ICT talent, says Skinger. "The best strategy for recruiting and retaining talent is to create a positive work environment in which employees are able to grow. IT professionals especially thrive on learning new technologies and expanding their knowledge base. If you don't show people that you have a path in place that will allow them to learn and advance in their careers, then you have a problem."
Share
