How to choose a good PRINCE2 training provider
As Featured on RealBusiness.co.uk
Looking for a reputable PRINCE2 training course provider is a smart move for you and your career. If you only focus on the price you may end up bitterly regretting making that choice, as you know, you get what you pay for.
There are many things in life that can be bought more cheaply without any problems. However, when it comes to your PRINCE2 training there are a few very good reasons to avoid taking the cheapest possible approach. The team at Knowledge Tree Training take all these things into consideration for their customers and they’re here to point out what you should be looking for when choosing a good provider, of course over and above being an accredited training organisation (ATO) by AXELOS the IP owner of PRINCE2.
Harsh Terms and Conditions – no refunds policy
Sometimes life gets in the way and we need to cancel or re-schedule things we’ve signed up for. You should look for a reputable training provider that doesn’t have harsh terms and conditions if you decide to cancel or re-schedule your PRINCE2 course. Some providers do not offer refunds and can take as much as 75% of the booking fee if you decide to cancel. So be sure to read their terms and conditions carefully before booking. Knowledge Tree has a flexible policy on this and will allow you to cancel or re-schedule your course dates if things come up.
Bad Online Reviews
Read reviews from a trusted source like google places, Trust Pilot or even the companies Facebook page. Don’t just read the most recent reviews, look at the 1 and 2 star to reviews to get to the real truth as some providers fake online reviews. See if they have any newspaper or magazine articles written about them that may reveal some very positive things they’re doing as well as any dubious tactics they employ.
The Comfort and Convenience of the Venue
You might think that the venue where the cheap PRINCE2 training is held doesn’t really matter all that much. After all, it is just a room where you sit and receive the training for a few days, isn’t it?
Yet, the comfort and convenience of the venue can actually make a huge difference to how effective the training is. For instance, when it comes to a PRINCE2 provider who cuts corners you might find that the venue is difficult to get to, doesn’t offer lunch or is uncomfortable because it is either too hot or too cold.
On the other hand, if you pay a fair price for a quality training course then you should expect to get a comfortable venue where you feel relaxed and ready to learn from the word go. This will put you in the right frame of mind for learning everything that comes your way.
The Quality of the Trainers
Another example of getting what you pay for is in the case of the trainers hired by the training company. If they are young or inexperienced then you can be pretty sure that they aren’t among the very best trainers in the industry.
Alternatively, if you pay a reasonable cost for the training course then you will feel more confident that you are going to get high quality, professional trainers. This will make it a lot easier for you to learn everything that you need to know for your future career. If the price of your PRINCE2 training seems too low then just ask yourself how much the trainers are likely to earn for their work and whether this is likely to guarantee a high level of quality or not.
Too Many Students
The best training sessions tend to be those in which the size of the group of students is just right. Most of us learn best with some of our peers around us, yet when the group gets too big it can be a lot more difficult to ask questions or really feel part of it all. Making class sizes very big is one way that cheap PRINCE2 providers have found of lowering their costs. The downside of this is that it can be very difficult for you to learn well in this way.
A far better approach is to choose a course that costs a decent price but that also guarantees that you won’t be crammed into the room with far too many other students.
Poor Quality Training Material
If you have ever been on a top quality project training course then you will know that it is usually packed with excellent training material that helps you to learn. This is certainly true in the case of PRINCE2 courses, which should ideally include a lot of useful material to help you to progress through the different areas smoothly. When a cheap PRINCE2 provider cuts corners in this area it is something that is very noticeable, as well as being damaging to your ability to learn. There is a a wealth of material that can be used to help you to learn more easily, while not using any of it makes life a lot more difficult for students. Be sure to check before you book to see what type of training material is used on the course, ask for a sample of the manual. If the answer is that there is none, then you should definitely think twice before going on that training course, no matter how cheap it is.
Less Chance of Passing Your Exam
Overall, the above points all add up to a lower chance of you passing your PRINCE2 exam and getting hold of the valuable qualification that comes with doing so. Given the importance of this certification to your future career it is of crucial importance that you give yourself as much chance as possible of achieving it. Some PRINCE2 training providers will tell you the exam success rates of their students, which is a useful bit of information. However, even without these details it should be clear from the previous points that using a cheap PRINCE2 provider who cuts corners greatly reduces your chances of being able to add this powerful certification to your CV.
If you are looking to give your project manager career the boost that it deserves then it makes perfect sense to search for a training provider who offers great value but doesn’t cut corners along the way. Look for a comprehensive and enjoyable course that gives you exactly what you need to learn at a price that makes sense.
The best value for money is a Live Virtual PRINCE2 course for a foundation course. Learn at home with a live UK based instructor on the other end of the video conference. Exams taken online.
