Becoming an IT trainer?

Akeno

Hi,

I am very interested in changing my career direction to becoming an IT trainer - I was thinking along the lines of ECDL, Microsoft Office.

I have a MSc. in IT and have been working as a programmer for the last 6 years or so.

My questions are:
- What qualifications/certifications would be best to pursue?
- What sort of salary should I expect?
- Where to look for a job (agency etc.)?

Thanks in advance for your advice.

Tom Dunne

Akeno wrote: »

Hi,

I am very interested in changing my career direction to becoming an IT trainer - I was thinking along the lines of ECDL, Microsoft Office.

I have a MSc. in IT and have been working as a programmer for the last 6 years or so.

My questions are:
- What qualifications/certifications would be best to pursue?
- What sort of salary should I expect?
- Where to look for a job (agency etc.)?

Thanks in advance for your advice.

I have been in the same boat - MSc and wanted to get into technical training.

The first thing I did was actually take the ECDL exams without doing the course. That will give you a feel for how your knowledge is and give you an idea of what the course involves.

There is also the JEB diploma. Not worth a donkey's b****x in my opinion, but you can't teach FAS courses (or be contracted via your employer to FAS) without it. Or so I'm told. It's a teaching diploma, btw.

As for salary, I wouldn't say it is too good, depends on the employer really. It doesn't appear to be steady work either, at least not in my experience.

And where to look - try some of the private training colleges. I recommend you keep your day job, while teaching night classes. Give you a feel for it and help you build up experience.

Akeno

Thanks for the reply tom dunne. I actually have the ECDL exam - I had to do it as part of my previous job. I will look into the JEB dip.

Woop_01

Akeno wrote: »

Thanks for the reply tom dunne. I actually have the ECDL exam - I had to do it as part of my previous job. I will look into the JEB dip.

Your mostly need a Ph.D for a University
or MA or M.Sc or M.litt in that subject at University

And no not at IT . I hope this help you

Tom Dunne

Woop_01 wrote: »

Your mostly need a Ph.D for a University
or MA or M.Sc or M.litt in that subject at University

D'ya reckon a PhD would be just a tad over the top for a Technical Trainer?

Woop_01 wrote: »

And no not at IT

I'm not sure what you mean by this. Are you mixing up an Institute of Technology with Information Technology?

Akeno

As far as I know an MSc would be OK to teach in a college? I'm definitely not doing a PhD just so I can teach ECDL or something

I'm still a bit confused as to what I will do. Perhaps I need a life coach

Dagon

To the op: I did my MSc in computing in an institute of technology and I also did some lecturing hours as did a friend of mine. The bottom-line is that pro-rata contracts (which is what you need to start a lecturing career) are not handed our very regularly. When they are, you should go for them and if you have experience in that IT or Uni it is very helpful.

I'm hoping to become a lecturer full-time as the holidays in a normal job (20 days per year) are simply not acceptable for my lifestyle. However, I fear I'll have to go through a few years of having very low hours because I reckon I'll have to wait around to get a pro-rata contract. If I finish my programming job and go looking for hours, I will certainly get some. But I won't be earning much for the first couple of years because they don't give you enough hours and it isn't consistent. e.g. you could have 14 hours from Sept to December, then 3 hours from Jan to June. Then no pay for the summer. So it isn't easy starting out, but if you're willing to put up with that because it's your ultimate career, then give it a go. You will get experience, and then if pro-rata contracts come up you have a good chance of getting them.

And if you don't get them after waiting around for years with low hours (and I've seen it happen) you'll feel pretty let-down, but that's the way it is in an IT or a Uni. It's a great job but a lot of people want to get in there, and the older lecturers are trying to hold onto their power and their hours, and they will give hours to other senior full-time lecturers rather than to you.

Dagon

Also yes, a Phd helps, but you certainly don't need it to lecture in an IT. Maybe you need it in a Uni, but I don't know because I haven't worked at a Uni.

There are some IT lecturers who only have BSc, then get qualified as they go, so don't worry about that. If you are good at the job, and have good experience, you will get hours.

As for ECDL or FAS training, this is good work as well. But you don't need anything more than a diploma in computing for this, or a bit of experience in that field. An MSc person would probably be over qualified for this, but if you want to do it then go for it. It's nice work and good holidays. Just don't expect to make as much $$$ as your programming days...

At the end of the day, I guess it's not about money. It's about doing a job you enjoy, and maybe in years to come you will get to the stage where you can set up on your own, or you will be recognised as a very good tutor / teacher in that area, and will get more work and better paid work.

Keep hammering away and enjoy your job. Don't stay stuck in an office hammering out code if it isn't for you.

Sandy Sue

hi
i'm a bit confused on this whole thing. I am curently in 3rd year Computer Systems Management. I have my ECDL and a Business Cert (Secretarial).
I was planning on doing the JEB when i finish third year. I really don't like the hardware/programming side of computing but i'm trudging through it. I do however enjoy working with Computer Applications and i would ideally like to work in this field teaching.
however i don't know if i'm on the right track to get there?

When i finish third year i will have a level 7 ordinary degree in Computer Systems Management, my business certificate is Level 6 and (fingers crossed) if i successfully had my JEB. would i then be qualified to teach comp applications?

cheers for help
sandra

Flukey

If you have the ECDL and the JEB you can certainly start teaching IT applications Sandra. It is always good to be a few steps ahead in knowledge compared to what you are teaching, so look at doing things like the MOS exams or basic web design and put the effort in at the hardware stuff too. With that and your business qualification you'll be able to teach applications and more.

Sandy Sue

thanks for that i'm looking into it now, i'm considering fourth year of my course which would give me an honors degree but better get through this first!

wingnut

I quaified as an IT teacher over in the UK doing a PGCE. I am now teaching ICT in a school here in Ireland.