In this issue:
1. IT Labor Crunch = Job Security for IT Trainers?
2. The top 15 concerns for implementing Enterprise-Wide Resource Planning (ERP) systems
3. Certification isn't a dirty word
4. Don't leave home without...
1. IT Labor Crunch = Job Security for IT Trainers?
Information Week cited the following:
"How serious is the IT labor crunch? Extremely serious and getting worse, according to a report released by the U.S. Department of Commerce. The average annual growth rate for computer systems analysts, computer scientists, and computer engineers will top 100% by 2006. That means more than 1.3 million new IT workers will be needed to fill job openings and replace workers leaving the field, according to the report."
For those of us in the IT Training field this is great news.. because this shortfall will have to be filled by employees that we will need to train.. or retrain. What role can you play in not just training new employees but in helping your organization find new IT professionals? And how will the changing face of the population and the varied skill sets of new employees impact your training programs? The Training IT Management Conference will offer sessions that will help you find the answers to these questions (http://www.influent.com/ctw/it/index.htm). You will hear from various industry experts, including Ted Smith, GartnerInstitute, who will present "Create a Future-Ready IT Department with Professional Skills Development."
2. The top 15 concerns for implementing Enterprise-Wide Resource Planning (ERP) systems
"At a minimum, everyone who uses these systems (ERP) needs to be trained on how they work, how they relate to the business process and how a transaction ripples through the entire company whenever they press a key." CIO Magazine
At the 1999 user group conference for SAP (ASUG), the participants in the Training and Documentation track identified 15 specific areas of concern with SAP implementations that they want to address in greater detail. These areas of focus certainly apply to the training teams of any ERP implementation regardless of the software used. The broad topic areas included:
- Document and training material maintenance
- Training databases and clients
- Knowledge transfer
- Post-implementation training
- Alternate training methods and tools
- Development resources and costs
- Designing and modifying Instructional materials
- Global and multiple site implementations
- Training logistics
- Online performance support systems
- Integration of business process and computer training
- Change management
At the ERP Systems Training Conference, pre-and post conference workshops as well as over 30 concurrent sessions will cover specifics related to these topic areas. Speakers will present case studies, real-life examples, and a multitude of lessons learned. This information, combined with the overall networking opportunities that will occur throughout the conference will provide a wealth of information and useful tools for anyone in the ERP end user training world
For more information about the only event for those involved in ERP end-user training, go to http://www.influent.com/ctw/erp/index.htm.
3. Certification isn't a dirty word
Lauren Hebert, (Managing Principal, IT Assessment Division, Chauncey Group International) writes to say:
"I happen to love certification, but there's a lot of people who don't. In fact, some could argue it's just another word for acronym soup. These days, a technical trainer needs a road map to navigate between requirements, recommendations and pathways and all the three-letter designations that go along with it. However, there is value to being able to have one's competencies demonstrated in a manner that is universally recognized. Would we hire a lawyer who isn't certified by the American Bar Association? A technical trainer can make educational decisions about what certification can do for them, and how it can help them develop and be recognized. In fact, as more and more employers are trying to hire staff in this economy, if one doesn't differentiate themselves in some manner as a trainer, they could be overlooked by someone else who has."
Where do you stand on Certification? You can learn more about skill sets needed by technology trainers at the Computer Trainers' Summer Camp. (http://www.influent.com/ctw/sc/index.htm).For more information about the certified technical trainer program see http://www.chauncey.com
4. Don't leave home without..
My apologies, but I need to use this space for a quick update for those who are attending the Computer Training World Conferences & Expo (CTW) next week. This newsletter is the quickest way to get the information to everyone before they head down to Orlando... I will keep it brief and limit my answer to this section only..
For those of you who are asking:
- Yes, you can buy tickets for your friends and family so they can join the fun at the fantastic conference party at DisneyQuest. Tickets will be on sale at the conference registration desk.
- We have also arranged for discounted tickets to local theme parks and attractions. These tickets will be on sale at a booth next to the conference registration desk.
- Though our initial room block has sold out, we have arranged for more rooms at the hotel at the discounted conference rate of $125. Make sure you mention that you are attending CTW to get the reduced rate.
- Those of you who qualified for the free ITTA membership will receive your membership packet at the conference. ITTA is not able to process your membership before the event. If you are an existing ITTA member you can still take $200 off the conference fee.
- You can look forward to seeing hundreds of your technology training peers at each of the three events at CTW in Orlando.
And for those of you who asked -- yes, you can still register for this exciting and "learningful" event. -- go to : http://www.influent.com/ctw/reg/index.htm
Quote of the week:
This week's quote was sent in by CTW reader Tamalyn Ramsey:
"Always remember that this whole thing started with a mouse."
-Walt Disney
This seemed like a very appropriate quote as we head out for CTW next week. I hope to see you all there and we can discuss how "this whole thing" of computer training also started with a mouse.. or at least the last ten years... and we can get together to speculate on what might be the "mouse" of our future...
See you in Orlando!
Heidi Fisk
