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Free IT Certification Training

certified it specialist

By Jacqui Tom

If you're looking for a way to get ahead in your IT career or shift gears into a new specialty, consider completing an information technology training program. There's never been a better time to advance your career by earning your certification. Free IT training is one of the most cost-effective ways to help you get certifified, requiring just a small investment for big gains.

 

What Types of IT Certification Exist?

There are hundreds of IT certifications for dozens of software, hardware and other IT programs. Many companies host their own training and exams for their proprietary software's certification. Free IT training may or may not be offered directly by the software company, but study materials and free training will often be offered online by third-party organizations. Here is just a sample of some of the many levels of certification:

  • PMI Project Management Professional (PMP)
  • PMI Certified Association in Project Management (CAPM)
  • ITIL v2 – Foundations
  • Certified Information Systems Security Professional (CISSP)
  • Cisco CCIE Routing and Switching
  • Cisco Certified Voice Professional (CCVP)
  • ITIL v3 – ITIL Master
  • Microsoft Certified Solution Developer (MCSD)
  • Cisco Certified Network Professional (CCNP)
  • Red Hat Certified Engineer (RGCE)

What are the Benefits?

Free IT training can help you study and prepare for such IT certification exams with no investment other than your time and determination. While your free IT training program may take no investment other than time and diligence, however, it's important to note that virtually all certification exams will cost money to take—usually well over $500.

Just some of the benefits of earning your IT certification include:

  • Higher salary
  • More job opportunities
  • Increased chance of promotion

Adding IT certifications to your résumé will show employers not only proof that you have the skills they are hiring for, but also that you are willing to go the extra mile to improve yourself and develop professionally. This will really set you apart from the competition when changing jobs, asking for a raise or competing for a promotion.

Where Do I Find Free IT Training?

A good place to start looking for a free IT training program is on the websites for major software corporations such as Adobe, Cisco or Sun. They offer online resources to help IT professionals earn IT certification in their products. Trade magazines, IT-focused blogs and community colleges may also be great sources for information on where to find free local and online it training programs.