NTGI In The News

Northeast Training Group, Inc. is a PMI Global Registered Education Provider. Courses may be used for PDUs.

2007: Northeast Training Group Named One of the Top 20
Software Training Vendors (#11) in Massachusetts
by Boston Business Journal for the seventh year in a row!

Choose a computer training provider
January 25-31, 2008

By Linda Goodspeed

Computer trainers willing to hit the road and customize

With time and resources under pressure for many clients, computer training companies are getting more specialized and flexible in delivering their services.

For one, that's resulted in shorter classes and a much more laser-focused curriculum given subject areas, says David Lundgren, director of admissions and marketing at New Horizons Computer Learning Center of Boston.

Another trend in corporate computer training is remote learning, especially Internet-based learning, which is finally realizing its promise as an educational medium. Other companies want training done at their site, at the times they want it, including evenings and after work.

"We're trying to solve client problems instead of just ‘Here it is, take what you want,’ " said Sue Goldberg, president of Northeast Training Group in Chestnut Hill, which does all of its training at client sites.

Part of the reason behind the move away from public training to workplace training is simply cost -- as in the cost of lost productivity.

"There's a definite trend today toward shortening the length of time it takes to get somebody up to speed, whether it's an entry-level person or a senior manager," Goldberg said.

Flexibility is a top consideration when companies go shopping for computer training. Can the trainer meet my needs when and where I want them? Can the trainer customize the training to fit my particular needs?

"Companies are looking to work with training centers that are extremely flexible in terms of how, when and where they offer the training," said Mark Gould, senior assistant dean at Northeastern University's School of Professional and Continuing Studies in Burlington. "Instead of delivering vanilla training, companies today want chocolate, strawberry and maybe some hot fudge on it."

Goldberg agreed: "Companies want a trainer who will teach to the client. They want somebody who will be a solution provider as opposed to a training vendor."

Even public classroom training has become more flexible and individual based. New Horizons offers "mentored" learning classes, an instructor-led class that enables participants to learn at their own pace.

"Different people learn at different speeds," Lundgren said. "The instructor is usually forced to teach to the basic level. With mentored learning, people sit with headphones on and can ask the instructor a question. The instructor can adapt the pace to each person. Some people are able to finish a five-day class in three. It's a great cost-saver and very effective."

Goldberg said it all comes down to service. "Hopefully, you chose a training vendor because it is listening and finding a solution as opposed to saying, ‘Here are the three courses we offer. You can take one, two or three.’ I think service is the biggest component," she said.

Other questions to ask when choosing a computer trainer: What is the quality of the organization and its instructors? How long have instructors been teaching? Are they certified to teach the subjects they are teaching? What is the relationship of the instructors to the training center? Are they full-time instructors? Do they have real-world experience?