Is SKM Training worth the $$?

[Senselessticker]

Hey folks,

I'm trying to justify with my boss the cost of attending some SKM training. I've been using SKM for about 2 years. I mainly use the software for short circuit calcs and arc flash evaulation. I have never received training for the software and often times feel that it is under utilized within our company.

I do not feel comfortable using the software to do other calcs. I still do load studies, coordination, voltage drop, etc... either by hand or with other software. I'm hoping that gaining some formal training with the software will streamline the way we do design calcs.

I work for an A/E firm where my primary job is designing electrical distribution systems for commerial/industrial buildings, including both new buildings and renovation of old buildings.

(1) Has anyone attending the training that SKM offers in various cities around the US?

(2) Did you feel the training was worth the cost?

(3) Any good ideas for how to convince the boss/company to send me to the training? (Keep in mind I work in a company with mostly "seasoned professionals" (old guys) who tend to be afraid of new technology and methods). Although it doesn't stop them from dumping all their calcs on me!!!

 

[jnims]

I recently went to one of SKM's training sessions and found it very useful. Like you, I have been using their products for a while, so all of the material they covered was not new. However, you will probably pick up a few things that will allow you to do your job more quickly or give you more insight into how others solve the problems you work on. When it comes to training, the largest expensive for an A/E firm is usually the lost billable hours while you are gone. You can help justify this if you need CEUs for your PE license since you need to get the hours somewhere.

 

[jraef]

,,, Although it doesn't stop them from dumping all their calcs on me!!!

Actually, that is a very tried and true method for old "seasoned professionals" to get the grunt work done, give it to the new guy!

And of course, that is exactly how they got to be "seasoned professionals"; doing the grunt work for the ones preceding them. The circle of life work continues...

I, like you, used SKM for a number of years without formal training. I was frustrated with trying to expand my experience with it beyond what others in my company were already doing (which was very limited) without that kind of backup knowledge base. I finally got approval to attend the training by explaining that if I had the skills to use more of the program I could maximize their return on the investment. Then unfortunately I left that company before I got it.

JRaef.com
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