Cheap VMware Training for VCP Cert

[JTP]

I know some of you are in the IT field or interested in getting into it. Technical certs are almost a must when first starting out unless you know someone personally at the hiring company. One thing you see more and more of is for mid-level certs needed for mid to upper level jobs require you to take their official training course (through them or authorized partner) or in some cases pay a fee before you are allowed to take the exam.

VMware - VMware Certified Professional (VCP) happens to be one such cert. Last local hands on week long class that included an exam voucher I found was just shy of $4,600.

Which brings us to the Stanly Community College in North Carolina. They are one of a few educational entities (mainly community colleges) that are part of the VMware authorized education partners (I'm sure the official name is much more concise and professional sounding,I just can find it right now). Course Link Their program is 8 weeks long all online, and they have servers you log into over the web and complete the lab work. At the end you get credit for the VCP education portion and access to buy an exam voucher heavily discounted. It is all apart of their continuing education program, so I don't believe you get any sort of course credit for it, but you also don't have to apply, enroll, etc.

Class Cost: $185
Book Cost: $35-$65 Depending on where you purchase it
Voucher Cost: $68 which is 70% off

Total Cost: less than $350

If it sounds too good to be true have no fear it is completely legitimate...but because it is such a great deal there is currently about a 4-5 month waiting list to enroll in the next class.Waiting List Link

[JTP]

If anyone is interested in an updated discussion of the course there are multiple threads on other websites discussing the class. (Wasn't sure if it was Kosher to directly link to other forums guiding traffic away from here).

[clep3705]

Since this is a specialized topic not germane to credit by exam, please post the links. There are better resources for technical certifications than this forum.

Technical certifications bring about two faced behavior from consulting firms. They'll discount the value of the certifications when negotiating salary with the certification holder. Then they'll turn around and puff up the value of certifications when they present the certification holder to a client. It's probably better to have a certification than not.

[JTP]

techexams.net has quite a few threads under their virtualization sub-category about said class.

Stanly Jan-Mar
Stanly Mar-May
^Just a few on the main virtualization page

[stretcharmy]

Finding a class through a community college is probably going to be your best bet. Of course they are going to have to be approved by VMWare or no dice. The VCP is a hard exam and you will NOT be able to pass by the class alone. I had 10 years of vmware experiance plus the class and I failed the first time by 5 points. It's hard because they cover items in detail that you might not see everyday like fiber channel and using the storage appliance. You need to know everything on the blueprint in detail, you can't skimp.

[ajs1976]

It would be my recommendation that anyone who is just starting out in IT and working towards an IS degree from one of the big 3 figures out a way to work this class into their degree plan. The course from Stanly is cheap, for credit, and meets the class requirement for the VCP. If you want to work on servers, you are going to be exposed to virtualization. Even if your employer uses a different product for server virtualization, VMWare is the leader and other are copying and trying to catch up.

I know this forum focus on CBE, but while planning courses and requirements, I think people should also consider the reverse. What courses can aid in preparing for credentials outside of the degree? Years ago, I had to take a Linux/Unix class and used it to prepare for the Linux+. For COSC, I choose Software Engineering because I need an upper IS elective and to help with a domain for the CISSP where I had limited experience.

[ajs1976]

Just renewed my departments CBT Nuggets subscription. While it is a great resource, it does not meet the training requirement for the VCP.

[scorched]

Or you could become a contributing member of the world of computers at acm.org, pay only $99 for a year and get access the VCP 5 training and all these other modules unlimited:
Skillsoft Course Catalog for the ACM Learning Center

[JTP]

Or you could become a contributing member of the world of computers at acm.org, pay only $99 for a year and get access the VCP 5 training and all these other modules unlimited:
Skillsoft Course Catalog for the ACM Learning Center

Does this training fulfill the official coursework requirement from VMware?

[scorched]

Does this training fulfill the official coursework requirement from VMware?

No unfortunately it would not.
And I do apologize, having worked for the parent company and the fact that I have been a vcp since 2004 it was a bit easier to get around those requirements.
Should have thought before I posted.

Still outstanding value at the acm for all kinds of training. Look at the computer.org as well for even more training options.