Getting certified on a shoestring budget

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Experts pretty much agree that 2002 will go down as among the worst years ever for IT hiring and training. In fact, training has all but disappeared for anything but as-needed critical projects.

That has meant dire news for the IT worker. Training and certifications have always been key for salary and career advancement. And certifications may now mean the difference in whether your traditional bonuses actually decrease, according to a recent report by IT staffing research firm Foote Partners LLC, in New Canaan, Conn. In 2002, "bonus pay for technical certification rose while bonus pay for skills sagged, reaching a historic crossing point."

But even in this dismal economy, there are ways to get certifications on the cheap, or to convince your boss to foot the bill. Here are some certification options that can boost your salary potential, without breaking the bank.

Community colleges. Regardless of whether your boss is paying the tab or you're footing the bill yourself, traditional classroom training can be very expensive. So for short-term, certification-specific training, local community colleges can be your best bet. Community colleges have dramatically increased their technology course offerings. Evening classes are available and class fees are usually a fraction of that charged by universities. Johnston Community College, in Smithfield, NC, for example, offers a two-semester training class for the MCSE exam for $334; and a 16-week training class for the MCSA exam for $779. Both prices include books and lab fees, but not the exam fee.

Professional associations. If you are on your own, check into what e-learning opportunities there are for a particular certification. Professional associations can be a great way for members to get free certification training, according to Alan Salisbury, an independent consultant in Oakton, Va., and former president of Learning Tree International, the nation's largest training company. The IEEE makes e-learning available free to its members, and most vendors allow you to prepare for their exams any way you want to, making classroom instruction often unnecessary.

Vendor companies. Software and hardware companies usually reserve free training for client companies. But don't be afraid to call a vendor company on your own to ask for help in locating certification resources, especially inexpensive ones, notes Sue Goldberg, president of Northeast Training Group, an IT training consultancy in Chestnut Hill, Mass. Microsoft Corp. offers a wealth of information related to Microsoft certifications, what each means and where to find training in your area.

State resources. Many states offer free or discounted training, often in connection with the local employment security (unemployment) department. Check the Web site for your state's employment security division. For example, in Massachusetts, visit the Department of Employment Training.

If you want to go the route of having your employer pay for certification training, here are some options that may help you make your case.

Barter for benefits. You may be able to convince your boss to swap certification reimbursement for a current educational reimbursement benefit the company offers. Your boss may not have given the idea any thought, and may not be opposed to tweaking the benefit. It never hurts to ask.

Hard sell the boss. The economy may stink now, but it won't soon. Your company will want to be ahead of the curve as things start to improve. IT projects and applications development projects that have been on hold will soon get high priority at many companies. Since your company probably hasn't been training staff for those roles, you can get a jump on volunteering. Talk to your boss about what the company's plans are for 2003, what technologies will be needed and what training that will require. Ask to be considered for a planned project and to seek training to prepare. Above all, stress the bottom line benefit to the company of getting you ready early for a new role, and of improving your skills in the meantime, no matter what comes of the project.