In my role as manager and "wrench turner" both paths are valid. When one of my junior staffers starts asking for training on "gobblesoft server" I look to see what they are doing to gain that knowledge themselves. Are checking vendor whitepapers, support docs, etc. Are they using the web to find and gather information on their own. If they come asking for training with no initiative directed at self study, then they will most likely get passed over. On the flip side, when I see them taking time to add new material to their reading list. Asking others for input on the new technology, it makes sense to invest in them. I have found that many times via user groups or the vendors themselves, training is avaliable for little or no cost. Certainly not a full certification track, but often good basic training for minimal investment.
At the pace of change I am seeing adn the dwindlingfunds, self study leveraged with company paid training is the only way I can hope to keep gathering the skills I will need next year, and the year after...
Slashdot Mirror
In my role as manager and "wrench turner" both paths are valid. When one of my junior staffers starts asking for training on "gobblesoft server" I look to see what they are doing to gain that knowledge themselves. Are checking vendor whitepapers, support docs, etc. Are they using the web to find and gather information on their own. If they come asking for training with no initiative directed at self study, then they will most likely get passed over. On the flip side, when I see them taking time to add new material to their reading list. Asking others for input on the new technology, it makes sense to invest in them. I have found that many times via user groups or the vendors themselves, training is avaliable for little or no cost. Certainly not a full certification track, but often good basic training for minimal investment. At the pace of change I am seeing adn the dwindlingfunds, self study leveraged with company paid training is the only way I can hope to keep gathering the skills I will need next year, and the year after...