Who Could Use Computer Training?

Computers are something that has taken our society by storm, I was the last generation that can remember what life was like before computers, internet and all of that. Video games were rare then suddenly it seemed like all my friends had them. When computers started to become common in homes there were not a lot of training for them, people who were interested bought one and figured it out themselves, employers started to buy them on a large scale. Everything was new so courses were created by those who saw that people would need to learn how to use these new tools, or the person who knew the most had to train or help everyone else.

Since then computers have quickly gained entry and are now a common tool. But do we still need training? There are a lot of people out there who feel that they don't need training, they have been using the software for example Microsoft Word for over 10 years, younger people have no fear or apprehension about computer and have been playing with the software for just as long if not longer then a lot of their parents.

Does confidence equate knowledge? Anyone know someone who is extremely confident about something but knows next to nothing about the subject? Any time I am offered training, I accept if I can, because there is always something that can be learnt on training. Some subjects I have been training for over 10 years and have passed Microsoft expert exams, and still I learn something, sometimes it is just a small little feature I didn't know was there, and other times it is how to use a feature that I have never thought of using quite the same way. Other trainers I work with feel the same way.

You may have used a feature for years and can use it in your sleep, but a good training course will show you how to use a feature in a way you didn't know it could be or do things that you all the time using features you never knew existed. I was training a group of ladies who use Microsoft Word every day, most of the day for many,many years. I had been given an outline that their company wanted me to train, so I did my thing. One topic, that they had been trained on in another training session, they suddenly found that they could use it and it would save them hours each week, yes hours.

The previous trainer (who I don't know) taught the same thing, but it might have been that his perspective or his description was different then mine, but the exact same topic suddenly became something they could not live without.

Most people are too busy working, trying to get documents completed and sent out to play with software and find out about new features or how features they don't use really work. You use what you are used to and when you see someone using a new feature you get them to show you how it works, or when you find a new feature you may show others how it works. What if by taking a few training courses you could save yourself hours each week?

If you book yourself on the cheapest course around, you might be lucky enough to attend a good session, but remember that knowledge beyond the manual does cost money and is worth more then the cheapest course around. Saying that, the most expensive course does not mean you are going to get the most knowledgeable trainer, the best way is to ask about the experience of the trainers and take a course. If the course is not good, go to another training company, and ensure that the trainer you had at the previous company is not training at the new company. Most trainers are freelance and work with several training companies.

Once you have found a training company that has great trainers, stick with them. Take several courses and ask about tailored training, training that has topics that are not on the other courses but are useful for you and those you work with. Training is beneficial to everyone, so if you work for a company, ask them to send you on one.

Katherine Davison

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