If you're interested in an IT career in networking with long-term potential and an attractive salary, you might want to consider a career that starts with one or more of the widely respected Cisco Career Certifications which bring valuable, measurable rewards to network professionals, their managers, and the organizations that employ them.
Whether you need the training to prepare for the exam or just to increase your knowledge, you have to answer a very important question… “Where do I take the training?” When you get to do your research for the best training provider, you will notice that there are two options for you to choose from… the unauthorized training providers and the Cisco authorized training providers. If you were that kind of professionals who are very much concerned about the training quality, definitely you would go for the second option. However, if you’re not, then it’s better to be careful… it is your future and career what we are talking about here.
What is the difference between authorized and un-authorized training?
There is lot of differences between them that would affect your learning experience. Here are some differences:
|
Authorized Training |
Unauthorized Training |
|
| Knowledge oriented | Exam-oriented preparation | |
| Engineered by Cisco, Quality control using MTM(Metrics that Matter) |
Reverse engineers the process with no feedback and no quality control | |
| Teach problem-solving methodology. CCSIs have access to many types of equipment whether remotely or physically. This gives them the chance to fine-tune their skills | Solve the problem by “monkey see monkey do”. No understanding of the problem, why the problem happened, is this the best solution /what is the impact of this solution? | |
| Latest Cisco technology oriented as courses are updated regularly | Curricula might be outdated, Courseware not available for specialization courses. | |
| The appropriate amount of information that is properly delivered in a structured system | Course content might not cover all required topics. | |
| Delivered by Certified Cisco Systems Instructors (CCSITM) | Delivered by uncertified instructors |
|
| Controlled by Cisco | There is always a lack of awareness with multinational qualities | |
| Course evaluation is directly reported to Cisco Systems to continuously enhance the learning experience | If available, course evaluation is not reported to Cisco Systems by any means | |
| If you have a complaint that affects your learning experience, most of the authorized training providers offer a free “re-take”. | If you have a complaint… Good Luck! | |
| Based on real world situations coming from vendor’s experience using real equipment | If offered, then you are lucky. However, hands-on labs are covered through simulations and virtual labs that don’t reflect real response time | |
| Designed by Cisco | Not designed by Cisco |
Who are Certified Cisco Systems Instructors (CCSI)?
Some of you may ask “why is it so important to have Cisco training conducted by a CCSI?”, well Certified Cisco Systems Instructors (CCSIs) must pass a rigorous instructor certification process, have deep technical and industry knowledge and are held to the highest Cisco standards of quality. Being a CCSI indicates that the instructor has successfully passed two types of Cisco exams to become certified: A full-day of communication skills (min score to pass is 85%) with only three mistakes in front of audience of Cisco Technology Experts are accepted and the second day is a lab that is 200% of what happens in class. This way, Cisco guarantee the quality of the information being passed to its student in the class.
CCSIs have access to many types of equipment whether remotely or physically. This gives them the chance to practice and fine-tune their skills. Therefore, the nature of information they deliver is based on practical experience rather than theoretical one. Not only this, but they also have access to many websites and resources that are considered restricted to non-Cisco partners, which means they have access to the latest and the greatest that Cisco has to offer.
To make sure that an instructor is certified, you can always ask for his CV… it is your right, so don’t waste it.
Who are Cisco Authorized Training Providers?
Cisco Learning Partners are the only authorized commercial sources for Cisco training. These organizations and their instructors are uniquely qualified to offer market-leading training on the latest advances in Cisco technology and can prepare students to take a wide variety of Cisco Certification exams. They can also tailor training courses to address individual or organization needs.
Benefits of Cisco Authorized Training
Increased Productivity: Every hour of end-user and IT professional training returns an average of at least five hours productivity to the enterprise.
Increased IT ROI: The proficiency and skill with which people can perform their jobs using technology effectively and efficiently can contribute to organizational success and return on the investment.
Increased Competitive Advantage: Staying ahead of the technology curve means you have a better chance of staying ahead of the competition.
Increased Employee Loyalty: Employer investment in employee training and skills development is compensated by enhanced employee loyalty.
Easy-Purchase Option: Learning Credits are a method for prepaying for training from Cisco, simplifying budget administration, purchase orders, and expense reimbursements. Optimize early investment return by purchasing training at the time of your Cisco hardware, software, and services purchases.
Note: Cisco highly recommends training with authorized Cisco Learning Partners, who use official course offerings that align with the most up-to-date Cisco certification exam topics. However, even if an authorized Cisco Learning Partner is selected, Cisco makes no guarantees regarding a candidate’s exam performance.
Now you know the difference between both types of training, all what you need to do is to search for the best offering in the market. Enjoy your Cisco training!
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