How to make sure I get training, improve my skills on the job, etc? 13

[MartinLe]

At my current job, actual formalized training is practically non-existent. While I try to take on tasks where I can learn a bit more, this is not always possible. I also talked to my line manager about this, but there's no time and less money for training.

I think I'm quite useful to my company in the role I am, with the skills I have. But of course I want to broaden and improve my skill base - as a way to future proof my career, but also because I like to learn new things.

In comparable situations, what have you done to improve your abilities on the job?

Things I'm doing out of my working time: reading trade press and similiar stuff in my free time, I'm also considering getting another degree.

 

[GregLocock]

A second degree at the same level may be interesting, will certainly be hard work and take a lot of time, but ultimately, unless you need a sleeveful of boy scout badges won't really help much. Much better to put the energy into a higher level degree.


What you really seem interested in is shorter term stuff, paid for by your employer. I can't think of a good way to persuade a recalcitrant employer to stump up for training an employee who is already good enough, it comes down to policy in the end.

Cheers

Greg Locock


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[MartinLe]

Yes, I was thinking about a higher degree. But that is just for background, my chief question is indeed "to persuade a recalcitrant employer to stump up for training an employee who is already good enough."

The other question would be, how do I actually identify an employer who's more willing to invest into training?

 

[KENAT]

If you can do an ROI on training to show why it pays for the employer to give it to you, and try to persuade them it won't just be something that looks good on your resume when job hunting... then they may bite.

If you just want to be a better engineer don't necessarily get hung up on 'training' - worry about learning. I more or less self taught myself US drawing standards by reading over some training material in the evenings, looking things up in the standard, and participating in one of the forums here plus a little input from an experience colleague. So I now have a reasonable worker day ability with GD&T wwit

If however, you want to improve your career prospects then getting the 'certificates' that you can refer to on your resume may be more significant.

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[JedClampett]

If your current employer needs a little convincing, one thing that seems to work is to get licensed as a PE (almost always benefits an amployer)and then tell hem/her that you need pdh's to keep your license.
Of course, you can go job hunting, make training a priority, ("What is your employee training program?") and find another job. And if that's your main motivation, you'll likely find something. But what if it means a much longer commute, a salary cut, worse working conditions?
I have to take a lot of training to keep my licenses. And I find myself looking for courses just to take courses (I took a pretty interesting one on Utility Pole Design). Most training is on the job, learning by doing.

 

[MartinLe]

PE as such is not a thing over here (Germany).

Learning by doing is getting harder as I end up doing things I've been doing for a while.

But in all honesty I want to imnprove my chances to land another job some time, within my current company or with another. Neither something I can sell my boss ...

When job hunting, how do you actually find out if a job training program is worth anything? I was told there would be training before taking my current job.

The advice about seeking specific skills and reading up on them makes sense, of course.

 

[controlnovice]

Try joining a local Civil/Environmental industrial group. Instrumentation/Controls has the ISA. A lot of times, they will have local learning opportunities, usually put on by vendors, that help with learning.

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[oldestguy]

Several professional engineering groups are present in the States, so also there are similar groups elsewhere, such as "the International Soil-mechanics Society" or similar name. Locally there also are likely "Technical clubs" All of these usually have monthly meetings and have technical programs at the meetings. The cost usually is zero, except you buy your own dinner.

A simple Internet search brings up this one: "The Association of German Engineers". In these groups you meet peers and can discuss jobs and how to solve them, etc. there may be technical branches that put on technical programs for members. All of these tend to "round you out".

There likely are several others.

If your employer knows that you are a member of one or two, it also helps the company's reputation for getting work.

 

[IRstuff]

You can certainly push your management and your company to do so, but that's a rather passive approach. As a professional, you have some self-obligation to ensure that you are current and up to date in your own profession. Doctors have a certain level of continuing education to maintain on an annual basis, regardless of who pays for it. Any doctor who is not working for a large association is essentially going to be paying for it out of their own pockets.

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[MartinLe]

Thanks all for the advice.

I actually never looked at the VDI in this way, this is a good idea.

I don't think I totally agree with IRstuff though. At the end of the day, I have to make sure I stay reasonably on top of my field, agreed. But: I can ask or bargain for a raise, so I can ask or bargain for more or other training.

 

[IRstuff]

Certainly, sending you to a class vs. giving you a raise might be a good bargain to your company ;-)

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[Agent666]

You are only doing your career a disservice if you think that all training will happen on the job.

Spend a bit of time after work learning something new relating to the work you are doing at work, it's a great way to learn, and then select immediately relevant to your work.

 

[Agent666]

, and it's immediately relevant....

Damn auto correct!

 

[Tunalover]

Employer-paid training is a thing of the past. You have to self-train in this day and age,...and on your own time!

Tunalover

 

[Sparweb]

At a previous employer, who had no time or money for training at all, I would sometimes sign up for 2-3 day specialized courses (Solidworks, electrical systems design, and the like), pay with my own money, and take vacation time or unpaid leave to attend. I picked the courses carefully and they have paid off. Because those courses went beyond the scope of my previous job, that employer did not benefit from that training. But I did benefit in the long-term, either through improving my job prospects getting subsequent jobs, or in knowing more about other co-workers' specialities than they expected (which got me involved in more interesting projects with them).

STF

 

[Tunalover]

A boss once said "If I train him he's just going to go work somewhere else." An engineer overhead this and asked him "What do you think will happen if you DON'T train him?"

Tunalover

 

[JNieman]

Employer-paid training is a thing of the past. You have to self-train in this day and age,...and on your own time!

How unfortunate... I've never paid for my own software or professional training. As recently as one year ago.

_________________________________________
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Tool & Die, Aerospace, Defense, Medical, Agricultural, Firearms

NX8.0, Solidworks 2014, AutoCAD LT, Autocad Plant 3D 2013, Enovia DMUv5

 

[loki3000]

yes, that's the brainwashing you get in some companies. esp. SME, where the owner wants as big piece of the pie as possible.
proper companies, that care more then just the next quarter, realize that you are less efficient without training and a couple of 100€ is not a lot compared to a couple of months with learning-as-you-go.
if the company doesn't need the knowledge, it's another matter though. in that event it's good to look online first for any training (pirated or not)

MartinLE you work in germany and get no training at all? what's the official reason? think about what your career goals are and pay yourself if there isn't another option (it doesn't matter if your employer benefits from that)

 

[Tunalover]

JNieman-
You mean you don't have to pay for your own software? That might change. If things get any worse employers will start requiring us to bring in our own PCs and software. I sure hope it doesn't come to that because all I have is a laptop with MS Office!


Tunalover

 

[loki3000]

it just might, especially (at least) in usa. perhaps not for specialist roles though, but you never know. probably only win + office from the software part.
that laptop won't help you much because said computer will have to adhere to department standards ( =quadro or firegl graphics for CAD)