Get Trained or Be Trained - What's the Difference?
You may be asking yourself right about now what am I talking about. I don't blame you. It's not everyday you see a question like that. But before you become the proverbial judge and jury of me, let me clarify what I am talking about.
What does it mean to get trained or be trained? Well let me explain it this way. Today there exist many schools that teach various subjects from Math to Computer Repair. More importantly, there are schools that teach certification courses e.g. A+, or Network+.
Many of these schools are well respected. They do guarantee to teach you enough to get your certification, sometimes in 5 days. But, just how reliable are these courses? Do they actually fulfill the requirements necessary for the A+ certification program?
In one simple answer - no. Although the student goes to a classroom and reads questions from a computer, that student is no more getting the fundamentals then a high school drop out who wants to attend college. This is known as getting trained. I happen to be an eyewitness to one school that taught students A+. I taught computer subjects at this school and required the assistance of some A+ students after class hours. Not one of those A+ students knew how to even troubleshoot the problems I purposely rigged on a computer.
I asked the students what procedures do they follow in class. One student told me he just goes to the classroom, turns on his assigned computer, loads up the software, and studies the questions. He does this everyday until he gets them all right. At that time, the teacher records his progress and contacts the registers office. The registers office contacts the certification site to register the student to take his test.
This is appalling. I spent two hours of my time that night teaching those kids how to troubleshoot that computer and general troubleshooting as well. They left my classroom in amazement, wondering why I was not teaching their class.
It bothers me to know there are schools that don't take the time to teach the fundamentals nor give students hands-on instruction besides theory. Now I realize when I talk to employers about placing certain students, they ask me if they are thoroughly trained.
It is not enough to just pass the test by knowing the answers to questions. You have to know your stuff. You have to actually take a computer and repair it successfully. You have to know how to diagnose a system correctly.
I wish I had the time to go to each school and train the schools how to teach the curriculum properly. The students are the ones missing out. Then these students wonder why they find it difficult to get jobs when they apply. I wouldn't trust my computer to a book educated person. I would trust my computer to a book educated person who has hands-on experience along with that knowledge.
I remember a professor telling me years ago that there is no substitute for hands-on instruction. He told me you learn by doing, not necessary by reading. I believe that.
I taught A+ in colleges and continuing education classes, for two years. I didn't just teach theory. I had the student work on the computer as I explained what to do. Every student passed the course and was certified. This is known as being trained.
When you are seeking to learn A+ or any type of certification, make sure you attend a school that will give you hands-on instruction along with theory. Or else you are cheating yourself out of a proper education and a future. Learn to be trained not get trained.
Harry Husted is a freelance writer and author. His writing projects include ghostwriting, copywriting, web site content, and DTP. His credits include articles for Internet Day, Internet World, Advertising Today, Advertising Age, L-Advertising, and a host of others. Harry is also an author of three books, Learn How to Repair Computers: Get Certified in 15 Weeks, How to Write Your Way to Millions, and How to Find and Start a Legitimate Home Business. He can be reached by sending email to This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it or visit his site at http://www.creatingwords.com
This article is copyright (c) 2002 by Harry Husted, and may be reprinted in it's entirety as long as this byline and copyright statement is included.