[Vicxas]

Hi all,

I'm researching doing the CCNA course, and on my travels through nightcourses i came across 2 CCNA courses. Both seem to offer the same, but the price differs between both courses by a substantial amount.

Course 1 €995

Course 2 €2500

Is ITB offering more, or are they just extracting the urine from this?

[T-K-O]

I took the class in ITB and IMO it was worth the money.

What are the other guys offering for 995

[DeadString]

I presume ITB include exam cost, books, longer course/hours. ITB have all the real kit cisco routers switches etc.
€2500 is a lot of money so if you have some previous knowledge
and are motivated you can go the DIY route with simulators, online sites, some books etc
hands on experience with routers and switchs is invaluable though.

[Cuddlesworth]

The problem I have with this is you can pick up a CCNP lab and the coursework for around a grand. So why in Gods name would you spend this money.

[Vicxas]

Originally Posted by Cuddlesworth

The problem I have with this is you can pick up a CCNP lab and the coursework for around a grand. So why in Gods name would you spend this money.

Dont you need CCNA to do CCNP?

I checked out the ccna.ie website, they claim that the reason they charge so little is that they dont have so many overheads as a IT or a college have so they pass the savings on to us.

Does that sound dodgy?

[T-K-O]

Originally Posted by Vicxas

Dont you need CCNA to do CCNP?

I checked out the ccna.ie website, they claim that the reason they charge so little is that they dont have so many overheads as a IT or a college have so they pass the savings on to us.

Does that sound dodgy?

Of course you can pick up the equipment but depending on your level of experience you may sit and look at your equipment lost..

Find out how many hours and what equipment they have at ccna.ie

Itb is 5 hours per week, they have lots of equipment. Books and fees are included. The Cisco online academy is also a fantastic tool.

[stomprockin]

I know one person who done the CCNA in ITB for free, he hasn't worked for the last two years and done it through some government scheme. He said most of them in the class got it this way.

[Vicxas]

Originally Posted by stomprockin

I know one person who done the CCNA in ITB for free, he hasn't worked for the last two years and done it through some government scheme. He said most of them in the class got it this way.

Id be doing it through myself as im working

[Elessar]

Originally Posted by stomprockin

I know one person who done the CCNA in ITB for free, he hasn't worked for the last two years and done it through some government scheme. He said most of them in the class got it this way.

Thinking of doing this course myself but that just makes me sick. I'd be paying for it myself as I'm working. I'd feel like a right pleb sitting in a class that I have paid two and a half GRAND for where mostly everyone else got it for free. I'd be better off quitting the job, going on the dole for 3 months and doing the same! Sure I might as well!

EDIT: Anyone here done the ITB course and got work out of it?

[T-K-O]

Originally Posted by Elessar

Thinking of doing this course myself but that just makes me sick. I'd be paying for it myself as I'm working. I'd feel like a right pleb sitting in a class that I have paid two and a half GRAND for where mostly everyone else got it for free. I'd be better off quitting the job, going on the dole for 3 months and doing the same! Sure I might as well!

EDIT: Anyone here done the ITB course and got work out of it?

Yes I did the course in itb and paid cash money. It is true that the majority of guys seemed to be on a springboard scheme however those guys are making the same effort and trying to up skill and find work.

I paid my fees and was happy to do so, I couldn't care less about other people. Means to an end

[Cuddlesworth]

Originally Posted by T-K-O

Of course you can pick up the equipment but depending on your level of experience you may sit and look at your equipment lost..

I have a full CCNP lab at home with the money saved by doing home study.

Consists of:
HP Micro Server
Dell 745(ESXI host for clients and servers)
Three two port network cards.
3* four port serial to USB adapters.
IP enabled power strip
Two 3560's
Two 2950's
Three 1800's
One 2840
One 3640
One 3620

Personally I can't stand the thought of losing that so I can have somebody read me a book for a couple of weeks.

And when you go to the job interview and sit down to talk to your prospective employers, being able to talk about what you have, how you have it set up and how you taught yourself in your own time(which is what is expected of you in pretty much every job I've ever been in).

I know I'm preaching here, but if you want an actual career in IT you can't spend the rest of your life expecting expensive courses over long periods yearly just to keep up with tech.

[Elessar]

Originally Posted by T-K-O

Yes I did the course in itb and paid cash money. It is true that the majority of guys seemed to be on a springboard scheme however those guys are making the same effort and trying to up skill and find work.

I paid my fees and was happy to do so, I couldn't care less about other people. Means to an end

Did it lead to work for you?

[DeadString]

I did the CCNA with ITB it was paid for by the Springboard initiative
I took it seriously, worked hard and recently passed my CCNA
Most of the guys including myself were over 6 months unemployed and had
worked in the construction or related industry. All were trying their
best to retrain or up skill and find work.

I always find it amazing how someone in work could begrudge others the opportunity
to try to better themselves. Would you prefer they sat on their hole
and made no effort?

You have the right attitude T-K-O

Anyway will a CCNA get me a job? no its a first (big) step
Has it motivated/inspired me to continue with IT education? Yes

[T-K-O]

Of course you can purchases the equipment and save some money in the long run. You could also use gns or packet tracer and not spend a penny.... It all depends on the person. Many different ways to skin the ccna

Dead string I hear ya. Some people sit on their ass and claim benefits, more power to anyone out there that returns to study.

I was in a class and most guys didn't pay. I did, but what do I care. I got what I wanted from the course and hopefully you will too.. IMO investment in such areas is essential and a positive approach at government level.

And yup I got the job

[ET_phone_home]

I did the CCNA in ITB and they are great. They have all the kit and everything would be included in your €2500 (books, exam fees etc.)

As for self study, it works for some but most people are not suited to it. Especially if you are going from no networking knowledge to completing a CCNA it is a huge step.