Cisco
is stretching its lead in enterprise networks and demand for Cisco skills
is rising as a result. Training companies are developing new ways to meet
the requirement, reports Michael Herson
Cisco equipment is
the basis of many enterprise networks. These companies need trained network
staff, which means in effect Cisco-trained network staff, so demand for
Cisco training is high. The UK market alone is now worth £15m a year and
is expected to reach £20m by the end of this year.
Cisco outsources customer training through a network of training partners.
Boasting eight out of the 50 worldwide partners, the UK is well served.
Leading UK training suppliers GeoTrain and MTS both advise on course development
and are on Cisco's training advisory council.
The network training industry follows the pattern of the network industry
itself. As companies have become global, they tend to want global training
suppliers, so the leaders in the UK are all divisions of multinational
training organisations. The one major exception, Horizon, agreed to acquire
MTS last month.
Like network companies, training firms tend to expand through acquiring
smaller training companies. Global Knowledge acquired nine training companies
in Europe last year to extend its global presence. Worldwide, Global has
45 percent of the Cisco training market.
IT managers tend to buy training from specialists. Eighty-five percent
of the market goes to Cisco-only trainers: leaders MTS and Horizon both
focus solely on Cisco training, while Global Knowledge delivers Cisco
training through its GeoTrain subsidiary. Azlan and Getronics treat Cisco
as part of a broader offering Getronics acquired its training business
as part of the remnants of Wang Global.
Cisco training comes in two forms:
Public courses cost £1300 to £1500 for five days, and most are held in training centres across the UK or in hotels. The average class size is 12, with access to personal workstations. However, bespoke courses at the client organisation are increasing.Cisco certification. This provides a standard means to assess corporate employees and freelance consultants. Network maintenance and support engineers take certification as part of their career path, upgrading their qualifications to work at different levels, usually delivered via public courses. Bespoke training. This is booked by large corporates, such as telecoms providers and ISPs. Some clients resell equipment, implementing Cisco networks within large organisations, so the training need cascades down to the final end user.
MTS in particular focuses on bespoke training, and takes in subjects which may not be part of the certification programme. With services such as consultancy and mentoring, MTS is moving steadily away from standard training.
New technology may change training as working practices become more flexible. Global Knowledge is promoting e-learning as a way to save on time and travel, and also for specialised courses. But none of the training leaders sees e-learning replacing classroom-based training.
IT managers who want their staff to take certificate courses should look for guarantees. Azlan, for instance, offers a delegate charter, including a free re-sit, though it claims a 92 percent first-time pass rate.
Most instructors are freelance, but work exclusively for one trainer. They are engineers who have been trained to teach but many training firms, including Getronics, encourage their instructors to keep working in business consultancy roles.
Convergence of voice and data will increase training demand, but there are strong indications that the current leaders in this field are likely to dominate the market in the years ahead.
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