Does training matter?

[Mint-choc-chip]

Do you need to do a course in something to be good at it? Or can you do just as well simply by teaching yourself using books and what not? What if you are looking to setting up a business does it matter if you are not "trained"? I'm talking more about creative jobs, rather than jobs that obviously require training like medical.

[wickenwoman]

I think training can be beneficial but you don't need to be trained in something to be good at it.

For example, I use a communication system called PECs with some of the children I work with I've read up on it, seen it in practise and even used it myself with some success but attending the training course helped me to understand WHY the system works and how important it is that the stages are folowed correctly. Until I went on the course I did question some of teh stages (which had seemed pointless).

Debs

[clowe74]

It depends really. My hb builds and fixes computers and taught himself. He has no pieces of paper or anything like that to say he can do these things so he cant get a job doing it.

[Badgirl]

It depends really. My hb builds and fixes computers and taught himself. He has no pieces of paper or anything like that to say he can do these things so he cant get a job doing it.

LOL I did that- then did the courses to get paperwork a couple of years later- well did the exams at any rate- didnt actually bother doing the whole course on some of them

[clowe74]

I keep telling him to go do the course but he wont, says he is too old

[Badgirl]

Too old??

[clowe74]

he is only 42 but is convinced he would be in a class with a load of 17 year olds

[MaisyMay]

I have worked as a web developer for 12 years and haven't had any training except some training in database development and an introductory course designing for the web, which I attended 12 years ago. I have had my own business providing web design, development and internet marketing for most of that time and have never been asked about my training or qualifications. Most of what I do is self-taught but the database development training has been helpful - I probably wouldn't have the understanding I have without the training. The design, usability and search engine optimisation side of the job I have learnt on the job and by reading books and online and don't know that I would really benefit from a course now.

[manclass]

hubbie has some examns for IT but the rest is self taught, on the job etc so it has hindered him when he went from self employed to employed as nowadays they want a certificate for everything even junior trainee basic positions

the courses arent all 17y/os- depending on the course say if he pays to go on the 4 day course with exams he will find alot are in the same boat as himself, self trained on the job etc but needing the certificate

we are over-run with books in this house from Novell to MSCE and Linux - plus the server, pc, laptops and mac all under the guise of 'training'!