7 Questions to Ask When Choosing a Vet-friendly  IT Training Program

Technical skills can be learned. Soft skills? Not so much.

Soft skills cover a wide gamut of abilities: leadership, communication, organization, team-focused, loyalty, deadline driven, etc.

Anyone can have these skills, however, hiring managers know Veterans learn these skills during their military careers. It’s why hiring managers look for Veterans and work to bring them into the workforce. 

For Veterans, translating military experience into the tech sector skills ups your hiring odds. But where do you start? There are a lot of tech training providers on the market and they all look the same.

Here’s a quick list of sevens questions to ask when looking for a veteran training program.

7 Things to Look for in Vet-Friendly  IT Training Programs

Your military experience and security clearances give you an edge when it comes to entering the tech sector. We find Veterans are well suited for tech roles, like:

• Cybersecurity
• Cloud computing and infrastructure technologies
• Business analytics
• Network engineering
• Software development
• and more

The key to landing these roles is aligning yourself with a veteran IT training program that can help you maximize your credentials and provide high quality training. 

Here are seven questions to use when sourcing training providers.

1. Does the course vendor matter? If so, how do I choose the right one?

Yes, the vendor matters. Employers recognize certifications that are industry-standard. It’s important to research your area of interest and determine which training vendors are the leaders. A career development advisor can also help you with this.

• Does the program include hands-on experience?

Learning by doing is powerful, and yet, not every training provider includes this element in their offerings. The hands-on element allows you to distinguish yourself from other job seekers and ensures you’re fully prepared for your new role.

• What training do I need to work at the DoD or other federal agencies?

The DoD and other federal government agencies have specific training requirements that all IT professionals must meet. You can find more information on these requirements here.

• Are the instructors certified? Do they have real-world experience?

These are key questions to ask. You want to learn from someone credible who is active in the current marketplace. They’ll give you insights and skills that will help you land a job and that you can use on day one.

• Is help with job placement included?

Tech training is an investment. Get the most bang for your buck by working with a training provider who facilitates job placement. This is not a standard offering! Be sure to ask about it.

• What other skills do I need to step into the tech sector successfully?

Although it’s tempting to focus on the field you’re most interested in, it’s important to build a flexible, well-rounded skills portfolio. Look for courses that are universal, such as project management, ITIL Foundations, and business intelligence, to afford you more job options.

• Does the learning provider specialize in working with Veterans?

You have a unique background. You want a training provider who understands where you’re coming from and knows how to leverage it to your advantage. Not all training providers do. To get the most from your experience, ask about their experience with Veterans.

Not sure where you fit in tech? Take our Vet-specific quiz to find out.

Discover CCS Learning Academy

CCS Learning Academy is the professional training division of CCS Global Tech. A critical component of our corporate mission is supporting Veterans in the tech space via industry standard training and job placement assistance.

Our veterans employment training and connection to the tech industry help us prepare you for a career in numerous tech fields, like:

1. IT Security Specialist
2. IT Project Manager
3. Cybersecurity Analyst
4. Cybersecurity Engineer
5. Cloud Security Engineer
6. Cloud and Infrastructure Engineer
7. Software Engineer
8. Network Engineer
9. Business Analyst
10. Solution Architect
11. System Administrator
12. Help Desk Technician etc.

We offer a wide range of veteran training courses, including bootcamp programs, entry courses, and certification prep courses. Our delivery platforms include live online, on-demand, and self-paced. Want to know more about how to leverage your military background into a rewarding IT career? Contact us! We work with Veterans everyday. We understand your journey and know how to help you get off to a strong start.