Why You Should Invest in Training – Part 1 – As a Network Engineer

As a network engineer, what is it that you want most out of your job? Maybe you want more engagement, or security, or higher pay. With half of employees surveyed saying they are not engaged¹, the average half-life of a skill estimated to be only 4 years², and wage growth stagnation³, where does this leave the individual contributor looking for more?

The key to improving almost every aspect of your job is training – and not just any training: training that directly improves job performance. Instead of looking at skills training as a stepping stone, what if we look at it as a journey? You might be starting out lacking the knowledge necessary to obtain your goal, and you might run into difficulties along the way; but instead of becoming discouraged and giving up, reframe your goal as a journey and you can be confident in the steps you have taken.

Let’s look at the practical application of using training as part of the career journey. Riley is a network automation engineer and has been at her company for long enough that everything feels comfortable, if a bit mundane. She sits squarely in the middle of the talent pool, capable, but not excelling. She knows that upskilling or re-skilling could help her, but with “nearly three out of four respondents worldwide say[ing] they aren’t equipped with the resources needed to learn the digital skills they need to succeed in the current and future workforce⁴,” and with 68% who feel intimidated when they need to learn how to use a new technology⁵, it is no surprise that Riley feels stuck. Here’s where the journey mindset with a focus on training helps someone like Riley.

Every journey needs a plan and preparation, and this is the point where NTC’s Network Automation Academy training becomes essential. The world of network engineering is moving at a breakneck pace. Network automation is the way of the future, and we work with customers across the globe who are investing time and money into these efforts, to lower opex, improve site reliability, increase business agility, and more–because they see the long-term benefits. Companies are looking for a workforce of engineers who support these same efforts. Companies are looking for more than self-led training certificates; they want employees who can learn new skills–especially in network automation–and implement those skills.

Here Are the Reasons NTC Academy Can Help You:

50% Lab Time Every Single Day.

If you have gone through any online training recently, you probably noticed something missing or minimized: hands-on learning and instant instructor feedback. At Network to Code, all courses and workshops have 50% lab time, ensuring that you get the necessary time to practice the skills and hit the ground running as soon as you complete the course.

You’re Joining a Collective.

Another component missing from most technical training is a sense of community, especially with today’s hybrid and remote workplaces. Learning new skills can be daunting, but when you choose Network to Code courses, you are also joining our thriving online community. Our public Slack channel has over 23,000 members and is a perfect example of a vibrant and inviting environment to ask for help or offer advice. We also regularly publish blogs ranging from general to technical topics to help you keep up-to-date with the ever-evolving world of automation.

You’re Learning from the Very Best.

To highlight the quality of our teaching for a moment, Network to Code was not only built on training, but our courses are developed by engineers and content creators that have been helping companies automate their networks for over eight years. These are people who have been in the field, utilizing the practical application of automation on a daily basis. Who better to learn from than the experts?

We Respect Your Time and Schedule.

We also realize that flexibility in training is essential. That’s why Network Automation Academy offers virtual courses as well as in-person offerings with experienced instructors well versed in the subject matter. Our instructors use proven methods of engagement for different learning styles and focus on the individual (we cap all of our courses at fifteen people). And for even more flexibility for smaller network teams that cannot take everyone out for a week of training, we offer a training credits program where credits can be applied to courses in our public schedule.

Network to Code is inviting you to join us on an automation journey fueled by training. No matter what stage you are at, from beginner to expert, we have the tools needed to galvanize you to be more efficient, gain security in your role, and position yourself for higher pay. Our community is here to support you and provide personalized help when you need it. There has never been a better time to start learning, and we hope you join us on this journey.

-Grant

1 Gallup: gallup.com/workplace/236366/right-culture-not-employee-satisfaction.aspx

2 Pluralsight: pluralsight.com/resource-center/state-of-upskilling-2022

3 Pew Research: pewresearch.org/fact-tank/2018/08/07/for-most-us-workers-real-wages-have-barely-budged-for-decades/

4 Salesforce: salesforce.com/news/stories/salesforce-digital-skills-index-details-major-gaps-across-19-countries/

5 UI Path: ir.uipath.com/news/detail/30/study-finds-nearly-50-of-businesses-around-the-world-will