Spherion IT Courses.

[Big Dog]

Hi all,
Could those who are already involved in IT please give me some opinion about Spherion as a training provider.

I like the sound of one of their diploma courses but don't want to plump $12,000 to find it is a sh@$ course.

I am interested in a Diploma of information technology (network engineering). All the usual MS, Redhat , and Comp TIA.

[Big Dog]

Please don't vote unless you are in or have been in IT.

[duckman]

Jesus - $12,000 thats alot of money to learn how to "CTLR+ALT+DELETE"

Seriously tho', Spherion does have a good reputation, but I'd be thinking very carefully about what it is specifically that you want to be doing when you complete the course.

So many folk do these courses and then expect to get a $70,000 job. When they get posted to the helpdesk because they have no work experience they spew.

Are you working in the industry currently ??

[Big Dog]

Are you working in the industry currently ??

No. But then The only qualifications I have are a certificate in road transport skills and a Liquor license.

The only job you start at the top is digging holes.

I fully expect to end up making coffee for the first year
but I like fixing things and whant more enjoyment out of my job. If it were just the money there would be no reason to even consider going elsewhere from where I am.

[Ghost Lemur]

I can only comment on their Christchurch operation, as I've had no dealings with the other branches.

They rock. I did a cet in IT last year and starting next Friday I'm doing the Software Development course with them. The tutors know their stuff, the self-paced aspect is brilliant as if you neither feel rushed nor held back. They do work hard to keep their job placement success rate up.

Alround they're the best private IT training provider I've been able to come across.

[Wonko]

I looked at doing some traing at Spherion, software development, last year. I decided not to do it there as at the time they where useing VB6 and not .NET

Things to be awere of when using private instatutes is that the credits that you earn can be hard to transfer to polytec/uni courses.

nzherald today

Goodluck

[Big Dog]

nzherald today

Certainly food for thought, thanks.

[matthewt]

I don't know much about the PTE's.

I did a national cert in Business Computing at ChCh Poly when I was 16. Did the some of the advanced cert the following year part time and have worked in IT ever since.

I'd say it only really matters for the first few years where you did your training, the whole "getting your foot in the door" thing. Once you have a few years experience people tend to go on you recent experience and how you conduct yourself. I've probably interviewed 20+ people and I never paid much attention to where they studied (although all those positions required at least 5 years previous experience).

[matthewt]

Jesus - $12,000 thats alot of money to learn how to "CTLR+ALT+DELETE"

Lucky I did my study the year before fee's skyrocketed. Whole year cost $480. Left school after the 6th form to go to Polytech at just the right time, all my friends stayed for the 7th form (and UE) and then caught 3 years of high fees.

[Zed]

Hi all,
Could those who are already involved in IT please give me some opinion about Spherion as a training provider.

I like the sound of one of their diploma courses but don't want to plump $12,000 to find it is a sh@$ course.

I am interested in a Diploma of information technology (network engineering). All the usual MS, Redhat , and Comp TIA.

I'm currently doing a Dip. Systems Technology with Spherion. I work full time and study part time on Tuesday & Thursday evenings.

You should find the course excellent if you study consistently and stick at it! The learning format has been well thought out. I generally agree with Ghost Lemur's comments.


Zed

[Devil]

I did the Diploma of Business Programming back when it was Interim Technology, had just turned 18. Bout $15k worth. My brother and a mate did it at the same time.
I thought it was excellent. They helped get the first job, started on $35k about 4 years ago (was 19 by then). 10 months there sounded much better to me than 4 years of uni!

That particular style of learning was perfect for me. Id go back again to upskill but money is an issue

[Big Dog]

It is starting to sound like the only problem might be justifying spending 12k to earn less than I do now

Especially now when I am almost rid of my student loan after 9 years, 19k (on a 3.5k loan).

The hard part to me would be paying $520 a month to study F/T or $320p/t....

It is very disheartening to look at the financial picture. :disapint:

It's not out of the question just a huge commitment (same as my bike payments and they are almos up).

[Zed]

It is starting to sound like the only problem might be justifying spending 12k to earn less than I do now

If that is your sincere attitude then you might as well forget about it!

A diploma won't necessarily get you the big dollars immediately but it should ensure that you get in the door...it's what you do with the knowledge/learning gained from the diploma that counts- you may end up contracting yourself out and earning what YOU choose!

Qualifications are fairly neccessary nowadays in IT, but also how you negotiate YOURSELF is just as important! Some people make it in the business world without going through the normal employment procedures- they take the opportunities when they see them and are experts at marketing THEMSELVES. Spherion trys to teach it's students this too!


Zed

[Big Dog]

If that is your sincere attitude then you might as well forget about it!

I would not mind the drop in pay..... that's not the issue.
I fully see that long term IT has better prospects.
Its complicated but with child support taken into account as long as I earn $30k I get the same take home until I earn over $60k. Ergo it aint the drop in salary.

I just aint a hundred percent that it's worth $12K for a qualification. Nor am I sure wether a Spherion diploma is worth anything (not already being in the industry, hence my purpose in posting this poll, to get some opinion from those in the know).

12k is not much if it is a good qualification. If it is a worthless qualification they are asking me to and

I don't want to know if I should do a IT course. I want to know if this course is worth the stump.

[jrandom]

I don't directly work in IT so I can't comment on Spherion. All I'll say is... don't discount the possibility of doing a 'real' degree. I'd venture to suggest that just about any polytech qualification won't be past being on par with the one you're considering, but imagine your options if you had a BE (Auckland Uni do a 'computer systems' major with electronics and CS papers kinda mixed in together - an excellent starting point if you want a techy career).

Of course it would mean QUITE a lifestyle change as a fulltime student... that might be straight-up impossible for you. I dunno. But I'd put myself on the line to say that ten years from now, you'll be happiest if you go 'student' and do the whole hog. You've probably already checked it out, but with a bit of sweet-talking you could probably get in at Auck Uni engineering school as a 'mature student' if you're missing the standard UE stuff, etc.